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Union City council authorizes $14,500 emergency repair after sinkhole exposes failing storm pipe
Summary
After a sinkhole revealed a length of failed galvanized storm pipe, Union City Council authorized Mansfield to replace the damaged section with plastic at a cost of $14,500 and approved up to $6,000 to investigate a separate sinkhole in Municipal Lot #1.
Union City Borough Council on July 9 authorized emergency repairs to a failing stormwater pipe after a sinkhole behind 98 East High Street exposed about 90–100 feet of galvanized pipe that had deteriorated.
Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips told the council that a CCTV inspection found roughly 50 feet of cement pipe in good condition followed by about 90–100 feet of galvanized pipe “that the bottom was gone,” and that the inspection camera fell into the failed section. Mansfield provided a quote of $14,500 to replace the deteriorated galvanized section with plastic pipe and repair the affected area. Councilor Steadman moved to accept Mansfield’s $14,500 quote; Councilor Kerns seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Council also approved a second Mansfield estimate—up to $6,000—to cut concrete and open a sinkhole in Municipal Lot #1 to determine the underlying cause, with the caveat that staff contact McLallen Construction for a comparative price and timing before work proceeds. That motion was moved by Councilor Steadman, seconded by Councilor Osborn, and carried unanimously.
The emergency repairs followed reports from resident Anthony Hickey that stormwater flowing down East High Street and around to Bridge Street has run into his property during heavy rains. Hickey told council he had contacted PennDOT, the borough and Representative Jake Banta’s office but had not seen a solution; he offered to dig a ditch if the borough would provide a catch basin and pipe. Solicitor Tim Wachter described the drainage issue as longstanding and said the borough would look into the matter.
Borough Manager Cindy Wells and staff did not specify a funding source during the meeting. The council instructed staff to coordinate scheduling and contractor selection so repairs can begin promptly; council minutes indicate the borough will follow up with the contracted vendors and report back at a future meeting.
The council adjourned at 7:04 p.m.; an executive session on personnel followed with no public action taken.
