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Union City Council approves emergency repairs after sinkholes, orders pipe replacement
Summary
Council authorized Mansfield to replace a failed section of stormwater pipe for $14,500 and to open and inspect a sinkhole in Municipal Lot #1 for up to $6,000 after an inspection found galvanized pipe with a collapsed bottom.
Union City Borough Council on July 9 approved emergency work to repair stormwater infrastructure after inspections found a long run of galvanized pipe had failed and a sinkhole opened in a municipal parking lot.
The council voted unanimously to hire Mansfield to replace roughly 90–100 feet of deteriorated galvanized pipe with plastic pipe at a cost of $14,500 and to authorize Mansfield to cut concrete and open a sinkhole in Municipal Lot #1 for up to $6,000, after Mansfield and borough staff compared availability and pricing with McLallen Construction.
Resident Anthony Hickey told the council that during heavy storms water flows from East High Street onto Bridge Street and into his property, flooding improvements he has made to the building. Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips reported a camera inspection showed “the first 50 feet was cement pipe in good condition. After that it had been galvanized pipe for approximately 90–100 feet that the bottom was gone. The camera fell into that and couldn’t be retrieved.” Phillips recommended replacing the failed section to restore proper drainage.
Solicitor Tim Wachter characterized the flow problem as longstanding and said the state is the party most likely responsible for the roadway crown and drainage but “the state should fix it but they most likely won’t,” indicating the borough must pursue local repairs to address immediate safety and property risk.
The motions to contract with Mansfield for the pipe replacement and to open the Municipal Lot #1 sinkhole were both moved by Councilor Steadman, seconded as noted in the minutes, and carried unanimously. Council directed staff to contact McLallen Construction to confirm price and availability before authorizing the $6,000 work in the municipal lot.
The borough manager also reported the Bentley Run streambank stabilization will be reseeded after a rainstorm washed out topsoil and seed the day after the work was completed. The council did not set a further public hearing on the repairs; staff will proceed with contractor coordination and necessary permits.
