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Union City Council approves emergency repairs after sinkholes reveal failing storm pipe
Summary
Council authorized Mansfield to replace failing underground galvanized pipe at 98 East High Street for $14,500 and to open and inspect a sinkhole in Municipal Lot #1 at up to $6,000 after a camera inspection found degraded pipe and a camera loss. Council also noted continued street flooding complaints from a resident.
Councilors on July 9 approved emergency stormwater repairs after a borough camera inspection found degraded galvanized pipe beneath East High Street and a sinkhole in a municipal lot.
Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips told council that a Mansfield camera investigation found about 50 feet of sound cement pipe followed by approximately 90–100 feet of galvanized pipe whose bottom had deteriorated. "The camera fell into that and couldn’t be retrieved," Phillips said, and Mansfield provided a quote of $14,500 to replace the degraded section with plastic pipe. Councilor Steadman moved and Councilor Kerns seconded the motion to hire Mansfield for the replacement; the motion carried unanimously.
Council also approved a second motion, moved by Councilor Steadman and seconded by Councilor Osborn, to have Mansfield cut the concrete and open the hole in Municipal Lot #1 and clean it out, spending up to $6,000 after soliciting McLallen Construction for a price and availability. That motion carried unanimously.
The street report also noted that a recent rainstorm washed away much of the topsoil and grass seed where Bentley Run streambank stabilization work had been completed; staff said they will replace the seed and topsoil.
Earlier in the meeting East High Street resident Anthony Hickey described recurring flooding that drains from East High onto Bridge Street and into his building during heavy storms, saying there is "no crown on Bridge Street." Hickey said he had contacted PennDOT, the borough and Representative Jake Banta’s office without resolution and offered to dig a ditch if the borough supplied a catch basin and pipe. Solicitor Tim Wachter told council the state likely bears responsibility but that the borough would look into the problem.
The council discussion repeatedly framed the actions as repairs and assessments rather than longer-term upgrades; staff advised that the immediate priorities were to secure the failed pipe, remove the hazard in the municipal lot and restore the streambank seed.
