Upper Chichester advances parks, road and signal projects; board warned of required apprenticeship waivers

Upper Chichester Township's engineering staff on June 10 told commissioners the township is prepared to move forward on a slate of park, playground, street and traffic-signal projects but that several low bidders lack the township's apprenticeship requirement, meaning the board must consider partial waivers before contracts are finalized.

"We issued an intent to award to Ernell contractors for the base bid, alternate 2, alternate 3, and alternate 4 in a total amount of $382,028," Township Engineer Andrew Pogo said, noting that the low bidder does not have an apprenticeship program so "the board would have to provide a partial waiver in order to award the project." Pogo added the bidder meets other qualifying requirements and the waiver would be limited to the apprenticeship element.

Pogo also briefed the board on other near-term capital items. A library payment request was submitted (transcribed as "$383,51653") and staff are awaiting additional contractor paperwork. Kingsman Playground appears near completion and staff expect a final payment application (transcribed as "$368,25312") and a maintenance bond before the board will act. The Johnson Avenue improvements are substantially complete with about $31,993 remaining and a final change order expected to reconcile installed quantities with contract payments.

For the 2026 road program, staff issued a notice of intent to award to AF Damon; like the park bidder, AF Damon was noted as lacking the apprenticeship program and would require a partial waiver before final award. Pogo said contractor Pico is currently working in a portion of Broomall Street that the township had scheduled for paving (1,900 square yards). To keep budget parity, staff plan an immediate change order deleting that area and substituting Kingsman Road (alternate 4, about 1,850 square yards). The base bid plus alternates 2 and 4 were recommended for award at a combined value of $571,317.

Pogo gave a status update on the Green Light Go signal synchronization project (Trichester Avenue, six intersections), saying equipment has been ordered and PennDOT central office has approved purchase procedures and potential reimbursement under the grant; staff are coordinating with district offices to enable reimbursement. He also reported the Twin Oaks entrance improvement project began the previous day; curb and sidewalk work are under way, a community sign will be relocated under a change order, and county CDBG requirements raise paperwork deadlines tied to the county contract that expires June 30.

Board members asked why the Responsible Contractor Ordinance requires apprenticeship programs and whether waivers are routine for smaller or niche contractors such as line-striping firms. Pogo and other officials said the ordinance is intended to ensure consistent workforce training and quality, but that waivers are sometimes used to permit competent local contractors to work when a strict apprenticeship requirement would bar them.

The board did not take final votes on the awards during the caucus; Pogo said final contract actions and any partial waivers would appear on the agenda at the upcoming business meeting, contingent on required documentation being received.