Next Carbon center phase to cost $2M

Site work for the next phase of the Carbon County emergency operations and training center is expected to cost just over $2 million.

On Thursday, the board of commissioners opened bids for phase 1B of the estimated $3.6 million project. The phase includes site prep, concrete pads, plumbing work, pumps and other work necessary for the burn building.

Kobalt Construction Inc. of Tobyhanna submitted the low bid of $2,286,832, while CMG of Easton Inc. of Easton bid $2,602,324.41.

The board voted to table the bids for review until the Feb. 20 commissioners’ meeting.

Phase 1A, the widening of Emergency Lane to accommodate firetrucks, was completed by Bruce George Paving at a cost of $811,869.85 last year.

The facility, once completed, will provide fire departments with live fire training sites, a drill tower and other training necessities, as well as give police, county departments and EMS classroom and training options that normally are completed in other counties.

It will be located on the ground surrounding the Emergency Management Agency/911 Communications Center.

In other matters, Commissioner Chris Lukasevich said that he was recently appointed to the mental health subcommittee for the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental Health/Developmental Services Advisory Board.

“I appreciate their confidence in me,” he said. “My focus on the subcommittee is to ensure Carbon County gets the resources that it needs in the realm of mental health services,” including screening, which is integral in treatment.

The board also approved bullet resistant windows and counter tops for District Magistrate Joseph Homanko’s new court in Weatherly, which will be located in the new borough building being constructed. The cost will be $8,990, which will be paid for through an AOPC security grant.