Carbon to clear way for core drilling for training center

Carbon County commissioners approved a proposal Thursday morning hiring Bruce George Paving and Excavating to clear an area that will provide access for core borings as part of the emergency operation and fire training center project.

The core drilling is part of the next phase for the fire training center project, which is proposed to include a burn tower, estimated to cost approximately $3.5 million, with three burn rooms, space for active shooter trainings, rope courses, stairwell trainings and more.

“The core drilling is to make sure the ground is stable enough to build on, but there are trees there and the trucks are not able to get in there with the boring machine to accomplish that as it is,” Commissioner Wayne Nothstein said.

Bruce George Paving and Excavating will get $150 per hour to clear the area for the drilling.

“It should not exceed eight hours,” Nothstein said of the work.

Vest grant

The county on Thursday approved a grant application through the U.S. Department of Justice Assistance Bulletproof Vests Partnership Act to help offset costs of new ballistic vests for deputies in the sheriff’s office.

“The bullet resistant vests have a life span of about five years and we have to replace them periodically,” Sheriff Anthony Harvilla said. “The technology is always changing and there is always a move for lighter weight, more comfortable vests that still provide the protection you need.”

The request is for 11 vests, which would cost a total of $8,360. The grant would pay up to 50 percent of the cost of the vests.

Other votes

In other votes Thursday, commissioners approved:

• Advertising a legal notice regarding Area Agency on Aging job openings for Senior Center Operator I and Aging Case Aide II when positions become available on the civil service employment website.

• Accepting an addendum to the food service at the project at the Carbon County Correctional Facility extending the bid submittal deadline from June 10 at 3:30 p.m. to June 24 at 3:30 p.m. and the bid opening date from June 13 to June 27.

• Reappointing Craig Zurn, Terrance Purcell and Susan Storm to the Pocono Counties Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Development Board for a three-year term.

• A purchase/service agreement for $9,963 with Edwards Business Systems of Wyomissing for a new Konica Minolta Bizhub Model C558 color printer/copier/scanner for the Area Agency on Aging.

• A purchase/service agreement for $5,514 with Edwards Business Systems of Wyomissing for a new Konica Minolta Bizhub Model 458e black and white printer/copier/scanner.

• A change order to the contract with Bruce George Paving and Excavating for the emergency operations training facility project.

The work included providing and installing four two-inch PVC conduits at no additional charge. The change order also extends the completion date from May 31 to Sept. 27. The current contract total is $827,424.87.