Plans to bid out work this month for J.E. Morgan Memorial Park has hit a snag in West Penn Township after a proposal came in $40,000 over budget.

On a unanimous measure, supervisors Monday morning tabled the sole bid the township received in the amount of $139,391 of Dutchman Contracting LLC.

Before the vote, Supervisor Glenn Hummel said the amount was $40,000 more than the township received from a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant.

Township solicitor Paul J. Datte said that costs have risen in the past two years.

“Construction prices have skyrocketed,” Datte said. “My suggestion would be table it.”

Hummel said he’s “shocked” after the cost estimate for the pavilion came in at $29,000, compared to a previous estimate of $7,900 the board received from the township’s former engineer.

“There’s no way I can have a (difference of) $21,000,” Hummel said. “That’s a gap that’s unheard of.”

Board Chairman Tony Prudenti suggested that they talk to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to see if the township can get more money for the project due to the pandemic.

The board’s next meeting is scheduled to be held at 6 p.m. March 7.

The work, to be completed before May 27, includes improvements to the existing facilities.

The project calls for construction of a pole style building, picnic pavilion, potable water well drilling and water pump installation, an ADA compliant paved parking stall, an ADA compliant paved access path and project acknowledgment sign.

The grant will pay for a new sign, playground equipment, re-skinned infield of the baseball field, an equipment shed/stand, pavilion and picnic tables.

In June, the board agreed to request information on the Morgan Park Grant from Lehigh Engineering LLC, and terminate their obligation for engineering for the DCNR Morgan Park Grant and pursue other means.

In October 2020, supervisors announced the township had obtained a $60,000 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant to further develop the park.

In April 2019, supervisors agreed to do the field.

That’s when the township submitted its application for a DCNR grant.

Supervisors said their main concern at that time was to build a good baseball and soccer field to be used by the growing youth ball leagues.

An unanticipated cost increase at that time was skinning the baseball field, which cost about $15,000 in materials alone, supervisors said.

The board also wanted to install a play area and use rubber mulch as well.

In March 2019, supervisors adopted a resolution stating that the township desires to receive a grant from DCNR for the purpose of carrying out the J.E. Morgan Memorial Park Project.

The township in 2018 received a $55,000 grant to spruce up a park, and has since renamed the former West Penn Park East after the late John E. Morgan, who died in 2001.