NEW CASTLE, PA. City plans storm sewers for Balph Avenue area

City officials expect to award a contract for work on the Mercer Street sanitary sewer project.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The city is planning to work with two other municipalities and Lawrence County to fix storm water problems on Balph Avenue.
Mayor Timothy Fulkerson said there are no storm sewers in that area of the city, which abuts South New Castle borough and Shenango Township.
Nearby streets in those municipalities also lack storm sewers and it often causes flooding and icy road conditions during the winter, he said.
Offer from county
County Commissioner Brian Burick has offered $80,000 from the county's liquid fuel fund, money taken from gasoline taxes, to help.
Fulkerson said the city would have to pay an additional $130,000 for new storm sewers on Balph Avenue. He suggested the city use bond issue money to pay for the project.
Burick said South New Castle is contributing about $100,000 for work on its abutting streets and the borough is taking out a low-interest state loan for the work. Details about Shenango Township's work were not discussed.
City council members attending Tuesday's caucus meeting said they liked the idea and told the mayor to proceed with the plans.
Other business
In other business, city council is expected to award a $406,540 work contract at Thursday's regular meeting to Graziani Construction Inc. of New Castle for work on the Mercer Street sanitary sewer replacement project.
Fulkerson said sewage project work should start next week.
City council also is considering a facade improvement loan for 112 E. Washington St. City Administrator John DiMuccio said owners Thomas and Gwen Mitchell want to rehabilitate the vacant building.
The $20,000 city grant must be matched by the building owners for other work either outside or inside.