Union City council approves emergency stormwater repairs after sinkholes

Union City Borough Council on July 9 approved emergency repairs after crews discovered a failing stormwater pipe and a large sinkhole behind a residence on East High Street.

Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips told the council a sinkhole roughly 3 feet wide by 8 feet deep appeared in the backyard of 98 East High Street. An inspection camera showed about 50 feet of intact cement pipe followed by approximately 90–100 feet of galvanized pipe whose bottom had failed; the camera fell into the damaged section and could not be retrieved. Mansfield provided a quote of $14,500 to replace the galvanized portion with plastic pipe.

"A large sinkhole, approximately 3’ wide x 8’ deep, appeared in the back-side yard of 98 East High," Phillips said. He recommended immediate replacement of the failed galvanized section. After discussion among Borough Manager Cindy Wells, Council President Cross, and Public Works liaison Councilor Steadman, Councilor Steadman moved and Councilor Kerns seconded a motion to engage Mansfield for the $14,500 replacement; the motion carried unanimously.

Council also approved a separate action to open and investigate a sinkhole in Municipal Lot No. 1. Mansfield quoted approximately $6,000 to cut the concrete and determine the problem; the council authorized up to $6,000 for that work after staff first contacts McLallen Construction for pricing and availability. Councilor Steadman moved to authorize the work and Councilor Osborn seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

The council did not set a public completion date at the meeting; Borough staff said they would coordinate scheduling and procurement details with the contractor and report back to council as repairs proceed.