Columbia Spy

Contractors are currently scrambling to finish remedial work on several Walnut Street sidewalks. The sidewalks are part of an overall road project on the 500 and 600 blocks that includes road paving, curbs, and ramps. As Columbia Spy reported HERE, property owners on the two blocks complained to borough council recently about various problems with the project.

In response, engineering firm C.S. Davidson provided information and updates on the project at the borough’s November Public Works and Property Committee meeting. The firm’s representative, Derek Rinaldo, who serves as the borough’s Engineer of Record, told the committee, “We’re aware of several issues on that street right now.” He named cracking concrete, blocked drains, and overspray as a few of those issues. Rinaldo said he developed a punch list of over 20 items after walking the site several times with the borough’s Ron Miller and Jake Graham. [Miller is Public Works Director, and Graham is Highway Department Manager.]

Regarding concrete cracking, Rinaldo said, “We’re not concerned with the integrity of the concrete.” He pointed out that the concrete used for the job is rated at 4,000 psi and must meet borough standards based on PennDOT 408 specifications that govern various aspects of construction.

During sidewalk installation, another problem became apparent: a sinkhole that opened near 647 Walnut. Rinaldo said a urethane injection method is typically used to fill in any voids and spaces associated with a sinkhole. In the process, a spray foam is injected underneath the road and curb, which expands to fill the affected area. A second sinkhole opened this past Sunday, near 651 Walnut.

Contractors are working to correct problems on the 600 block of Walnut Street

Another possible factor contributing to drainage problems, according to Rinaldo, is the street’s high crown. Unfortunately, lowering the crown would require tearing up and totally reconstructing the street, potentially adding several hundred thousand dollars to the cost. Rinaldo said testing and core samples of the street did not show a need for reconstruction, because the base is strong. Profile milling was done instead; that is, taking a very small amount of material off the top and replacing it with petromat, a fiber-containing paving material that provides an extra layer of strength over trench cuts and divots.

Problems on the 500 block are also being addressed.

Rinaldo explained that other jobs he’s been involved with in the borough did not have these kinds of problems and that this is the third or fourth project he’s done with Pennsy Supply. Pennsy installed the sidewalks on the 600 block, while a subcontractor, Sauder Brothers Concrete, did the 500 block. The total project cost for the two blocks was a little over $432,000. Rinaldo said no contractors have been paid so far. 

[UPDATE 11/30/18: According to a source, contractors have been paid, except for the final 5%.]

This edition of WITF’s Smart Talk features Dr. John Gerdy, founder and executive director of Music for Everyone and Lisa Sempsey, music teacher and K-12 art and music curriculum coordinator for Columbia Borough School District.

The discussion starts at 27:48 HERE.

July 17, 2016 article in LNP’s Sunday News

A previously settled issue was raised again at the borough’s November Finance Committee meeting: whether or not the borough is required to publish advertisements and notices in Lancaster Newspapers (LNP) as opposed to other cheaper publications, such as the Central Penn Business Journal (CPBJ) or the Merchandiser. The issue had been decided and closed in 2016 after a borough survey showed residents overwhelming preferred LNP, and LNP’s legal representative sent a letter to council explaining that a state law requires local governments to publish notices in a newspaper of general circulation. At the July 2016 borough council meeting, President Kelly Murphy announced the borough’s decision to stay with LNP, according to an article (shown above) by LNP correspondent Sharon Lintner.

According to panewsmedia.org, the Legal Definition of a Newspaper is as follows:

Newspapers of General Circulation (45 Pa. C.S.A. § 101)

A “newspaper of general circulation” is a newspaper that is:

• issued at least once a week (daily newspapers are included in this description);
• intended for general distribution and circulation; and
• sold at fixed prices per copy per week, per month or per year, to subscribers and readers without regard to business, trade, profession or class.

Basically, any daily or weekly newspaper that is sold to the public in general is a “newspaper of general circulation.”

A “Newspaper” is defined as:

• a printed paper or publication;
• bearing a title or name;
• reporting local or general news;
• printing editorial comment, announcements, miscellaneous reading matter, commercial advertising, classified advertising, legal advertising, and other notices;
• must be at least four or more pages long per publication;
• published continuously during a period of at least six (6) months, or as the successor of such a printed paper or publication issued during an immediate prior period of at least six (6) months;
• is circulated and distributed from an established place of business to subscribers or readers;
• is sold for a definite price;
• either entered or entitled to be entered under the Postal Rules and Regulations as periodical matter (formerly second class mail); and
• subscribed for by readers at a fixed price for each copy, or at a price fixed per year.

Free Newspapers: Free newspapers are not considered “newspapers of general circulation.” Legal advertising cannot be done in free newspapers even if they meet all of the above requirements.

Unauthorized Advertisements: Only government advertisements authorized by law may be published. In addition, advertisements may not be published in more newspapers than the law authorizes (45 Pa. C.S.A. § 310).

The York County district attorney has ruled that a West Manchester Township police officer was justified in fatally shooting Logan James Montgomery of Columbia, who fired at him first in a Manchester Township motel room last summer.

A news release from the DA’s office is shown below:

Borough officials considered several tentative personnel changes and accepted a notice of retirement at Monday night’s Finance Committee meeting.

Borough Manager Rebecca Denlinger announced the retirement of Public Works Director Ron Miller, effective February 1, 2019. Miller has been with the borough most recently since 2011. Current Highway Department Manager Jake Graham and an administrative assistant will take over most of the responsibilities of the position, with remaining duties to be covered by Denlinger and the borough engineer.

Two personnel moves were also announced: Current Finance Manager Georgianna Schreck will become Assistant Borough Manager, and accountant Kyle Watts will fill the Finance Manager position. Schreck will stay at her current salary, but Watts will see an increase to $55,000 annually.  Watts has been with the borough for about a year. The vacated accountant position will be advertised publicly if it cannot be filled in-house.  The three-member committee approved motions for the transitions, which will be placed on Borough Council’s December meeting agenda for a final vote. According to Denlinger, an updated organizational chart will be presented at the meeting.