Salem Township supervisors approve advertising for 2024 road paving bids after debate over specs

On June 27, 2024, the Salem Township Board of Supervisors voted 2–1 to approve advertising for bids for the township’s 2024 Road Paving Project. The motion, made by Supervisor Ken Trumbetta and seconded by Supervisor Kerry Jobe, passed with Supervisors Trumbetta and Jobe in favor and Supervisor Bob Zundel opposed.

The vote followed discussion about material specifications and the timing of procurement after a motion on similar bids was withdrawn at the June 19 meeting because of concerns over the specifications to be used. The board settled on bidding 9.5MM as the wearing course and 19MM as the binder, with installation and material combined in the bid package. Supervisors said the exact depth for each course and total tonnage will be calculated by the township roadmasters and the municipal engineer.

Supervisor Bob Zundel questioned whether the township should rebid at this late point in the season, warning there may be difficulty finding contractors to perform milling and installation. The board noted Forbes Road is slated to be milled and Rosewood will not be milled; the motion allows submission of bids that cover only one road if a contractor chooses. Board members also discussed compaction requirements, including that compaction may require more than 3 inches of material in places.

Officials said that if the project is advertised as a single, packaged project, Brandon Firestone, of Liquid Fuels, will handle the advertising and will help determine bid receipt and opening dates after he reviews the project. The meeting record notes that bidding material separately from labor can be cheaper but that some contractors may decline to install another company’s material.

After approving the advertising motion, the board adjourned. A motion to adjourn, made by Supervisor Kerry Jobe and seconded by Supervisor Ken Trumbetta, passed unanimously. The board’s next regular meeting is set for July 17, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Salem Township Municipal Building; supervisors said there may be additional meetings scheduled earlier to receive and open bids for the paving project.

Clarifying details from the meeting: the township will bid 9.5MM wearing course and 19MM binder; Forbes Road will be milled and Rosewood will not; exact tonnage and bid dates are not specified and will be set after review by roadmasters, the engineer and Liquid Fuels representative Brandon Firestone.