The Carbon County Prison Board on Wednesday recommended to the county commissioners that a project to replace three rooftop hot water units at the county correctional facility in Nesquehoning be put out to bid.

Initially, the county began the process of seeking price estimates for the equipment, but after a discussion concerning the state laws concerning bidding requirements the prison board opted to have the commissioners advertise for bids for the project.

In his monthly report to the board, acting maintenance director Gregory Yamrich said three heaters are showing their age.

Companies called to repair leaks advised the prison to replace the heaters.

Four units serve the 25-year-old jail. The fourth one was replaced a few years back, commissioners recalled.

The three aged units are original from when the jail was built in 1994.

Prison board members also discussed the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s 2019 municipal bidding thresholds and said they believe the entire project, including the cost of the units, installation costs and expenses for a crane that will be required to effectuate their installations, are likely to exceed $20,000.

Attorney Daniel Miscavige, solicitor, if the price tag is that high, the replacement cost will have to be bid.

State Act 90 of 2011 establishes bidding thresholds for municipalities, with the annual level being adjusted due to inflation, based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.

Miscavige said the 2019 threshold is $20,600 and would mandate the formal bidding process be implemented.

He suggested the county secure the services of an engineer to draw the specifications for the replacement project, cautioning the prison board that all of expenses incurred in the project will have to be taken into consideration. In other words, the solicitor said, “piecemealing” the project is not allowable.

Controller Robert Crampsie asked if the replacement project was included in the 2019 budget and was told it was not.

Members said the jail has repeatedly shown wear and tear issues, including such things like burned-out motors on the rooftop units, situations that continue to surface without expectation due to the age of the facility.

The commissioners said costs of the project will have to be borne from the county’s contingency fund.