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Union City council approves $14,500 emergency pipe replacement after sinkhole opens behind residence
Summary
Council authorized Mansfield to replace failed galvanized storm pipe behind 98 East High Street for $14,500 and approved up to $6,000 to open and investigate a sinkhole in Municipal Lot #1 after seeking a competing price; both motions passed unanimously.
Union City Borough Council unanimously approved emergency stormwater repairs on July 9, authorizing Mansfield to replace a failing section of storm pipe behind 98 East High Street for $14,500 and to open and investigate a sinkhole in Municipal Lot #1 with spending capped at $6,000 pending a price check.
Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips told the council Mansfield’s camera inspection found about 50 feet of sound cement pipe followed by roughly 90–100 feet of galvanized pipe whose bottom had failed; the inspection camera fell into the failed section. Phillips said the sinkhole behind 98 East High had formed in the backyard of 98 East High and required immediate attention. “That has always been a problem,” Phillips said, describing recurring deterioration in the line’s older section.
The council moved to accept Mansfield’s $14,500 quote to replace the galvanized pipe with plastic and to carry out the necessary sinkhole repairs; Councilor Steadman made the motion and Councilor Kerns seconded it. The motion carried unanimously. For Municipal Lot #1, Mansfield provided an approximate $6,000 quote to cut concrete, open the hole and identify the underlying problem; council authorized the work up to that amount after the borough manager contacts McLallen Construction to compare price and availability (motion by Councilor Steadman, seconded by Councilor Osborn, carried unanimously).
The decisions followed public discussion of stormwater problems in other parts of town. Visitor Anthony Hickey had described recurring runoff onto Bridge Street and into private property during heavy rains and said he had contacted PennDOT, the borough and Representative Jake Banta’s office without resolution. Hickey told council he would dig a ditch if the borough supplied a catch basin and pipe. Solicitor Tim Wachter said the drainage problem predated current ownership and that the borough would investigate next steps.
The council did not announce an exact start date for the repairs beyond authorizing Mansfield to proceed; the motions allocate funds and direct staff to arrange work and competitive pricing for the municipal lot investigation.
