Union City council approves $14,500 emergency pipe replacement, authorizes up to $6,000 for sinkhole work

Councilors on July 9 unanimously approved emergency repairs after a sinkhole and failing stormwater pipe were discovered behind 98 East High Street.

Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips told the council a camera inspection found roughly 90–100 feet of galvanized pipe with a collapsed bottom south of East High Street; the inspection camera fell into the failing section and could not be retrieved. Phillips described a separate sinkhole found in Municipal Lot #1. Mansfield provided a quote of $14,500 to replace the failed galvanized run with plastic pipe and about $6,000 to cut concrete and investigate the hole in Municipal Lot #1. Councilor Steadman moved to approve Mansfield’s pipe replacement quote and Councilor Kerns seconded; the motion carried unanimously. Council also authorized up to $6,000 for opening and cleaning the hole in Municipal Lot #1 after contacting McLallen Construction for price and availability; that motion also passed unanimously.

The council did not record a timeline for replacement but instructed staff to seek the competing quote and to proceed with Mansfield once timing and availability were confirmed. The council’s approval directs borough staff to coordinate the work and manage the contract and payments through the borough’s usual procurement and payment process.

The sinkhole at 98 East High Street was described in the meeting as approximately 3 feet wide and 8 feet deep. The Streets Supervisor said the first 50 feet of pipe inspected were cement and in good condition; the failing galvanized run began after that segment. The borough’s motion noted the need to act quickly to prevent further property damage and to restore safe conditions in Municipal Lot #1.