Authority approves $47,132.50 payment for Hilltop Road sewer main work; change orders leave net credit

The Lower Pottsgrove Township Authority on Dec. 9 approved Payment Request #3 from Joao & Bradley Construction Co. for $47,132.50 covering work on the Hilltop Road sanitary sewer main through Nov. 29, 2024.

Edward C. Wagner, the authority manager, told the board the payment request covers installation of the replacement sewer main and manholes, connection of existing laterals and release of most retainage, with $5,000 held for lawn restoration where grass failed to regrow after drought. "The only remaining money on the contract is $5,000.00 that is being held for the restoration of lawn areas where the grass did not grow due to the drought," Wagner said.

Engineer Fred Ebert, of Ebert Engineering, said his office reviewed the contractor’s application and recommended payment. He also described two contract adjustments: Change Order #1, a $19,500 charge for additional hauling and backfill because the trench had been over-excavated; and Change Order #2, a net credit of $73,226 reflecting that the contractor will not perform permanent paving and based on the measured 53,726 linear feet of pipe actually installed.

Mr. Groff moved to approve Payment Request #3; Mr. Loshnowsky seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The authority’s vote clears the contractor for the next administrative steps; the board did not change the $5,000 retainage held for final lawn restoration. Ebert said he will continue to monitor restoration results and the authority will reconcile final contract quantities before final closeout.