Michael J. Peleschak, project manager for Alfred Benesch & Co. was on hand to provide a status update and present change orders to the Nesquehoning Water Authority board.

According to Peleschak, the tank structure is now finished and site grading, fencing and lighting are the major items that still need to be completed along with the disinfecting and testing of the tank and two lines.The pump station is slated to be set by the end of September or early October.A change order in the amount of $8,939.60 for additional work not in the original scope, resulting from heavy rains and rising ground water at the tank location over the summer, caused some concern to the board, which felt that they should not have to pay for a weather-related issue.Problems arose when water flooded the area where the tank foundation was to be poured due to continuing rain.It was then discovered that the area contained "unsuitable soils" and the area was excavated and replaced with ballast stone to drain the foundation.Peleschak reassured the board that the extra work was necessary to move forward with the project in a timely manner, but did question the cost that was being charged for the stone.The board decided to table approval of the change order in order to give engineer Ron Tirpak more time to review.Board members did approve a change order to place a foundation drain around the outside ring of the tank so that any mountain water that comes into the area can be collected and discharged out to preclude any future issues.The board approved the $2,978.85 change order for the six-inch tank perimeter tank drain.Peleschak then presented a request for a supplement for unforeseen and additional work performed by Alfred Benesch that was outside of the original scope.After some discussion, the board voted to approve the $9,500.00 request.Additionally, the fifth application for payment to Blooming Glen Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $138, 787.68 was approved for tank work completed to date.Showing concern for all of the money that is being spent on the tank project and specifically the change orders, resident Tom Mermon questioned the water authority as to who was going to regularly inspect the area of the foundation to make sure that the additional work was warranted and completed correctly so that taxpayers wouldn't have to foot the bill for any repairs.Authority member Frank Parano assured Mermon that there was a 10-year warranty on the tank and that water authority personnel would be inspecting the work.Mermon once again requested that CD balances and rates of interest be noted on the listing of asset balances provided at each monthly meeting.