Replacement of annex cooling tower is discussed in Lehighton

Lehighton continues to look into the replacement of the cooling tower at the Pfc. Clyde R. Houser Jr. Building/Borough Annex.

Borough council on a 6-0 vote Monday agreed to have a mechanical engineer give a proposal for the replacement of the cooling tower.

Borough manager Nicole Beckett said a recent proposal from the borough’s HVAC contractor had come in over $100,000, hence the need to bid the project.

After the meeting, Beckett said council will need to determine the funding source of the project, adding it could be assumed it would come from the rentals received therefore the general fund.

In May, council agreed to advertise the replacement of the cooling tower after it heard from Annex building manager Tom Evans.

Evans deemed the problem “a major issue,” and told council that the top of the cooling tower should be replaced, adding that the frame had started to rust out.

Evans said at that time doing so could cost about $115,000. He said the cost to replace the cooling tower last year would have been about $96,000.

It was decided at that time that finance and administration would meet to look at potential funding options.

In November, council agreed to spend $13,979 Lehighton to fix water issues at the building at 110 N. Third St.

Evans said at that time they had been having water problems for some time.