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LEWISTOWN -- Mifflin County Commissioners approved payment and contract extensions for the Hawstone water system extension project during the board's meeting Thursday.
Commissioners voted to pay SC Construction $64,248.50 for the seventh payment application on the project. Madison Price, the county's grants liaison, told commissioners the payment comes from county funds. The balance remaining on the contract, including retainage, stands at $62,927.30.
The water tank construction faces delays. SC Construction expects to complete the tank within two weeks, Price said. Granville increased the time they run water into the well to accelerate the filling process.
Commissioners approved two change orders extending project deadlines by 61 days. Both SC Construction and CR Directional received extensions, moving the completion date from May 30 to July 30.
"The water tank filling [is] taking longer than expected," Price explained to commissioners. She noted SC Construction needs the tank filled before testing can begin.
The second change order was an extension application for CR Directional. Price confirmed both extensions involve only timeline adjustments, not additional funding.
When asked about the contractor's confidence in meeting the new deadline, Price indicated they expect to complete the project by July 30. She explained water line testing will begin once the tank fills.
The meeting revealed coordination between multiple entities on the water infrastructure project. Granville Township's decision to increase water flow shows local government cooperation in addressing the filling delays. The township's involvement suggests shared responsibility for the water system's development.
The payment approval brings SC Construction's total received to date above $64,000, with about $63,000 remaining on the contract. The retainage amount, held until project completion, provides the county leverage to ensure proper work completion.
The 61-day extensions reflect challenges in water infrastructure development. Filling large water tanks requires significant time, particularly when relying on well water sources. The contractors' request for identical extension periods suggests coordinated scheduling between different project phases.
Commissioner Noah Wise questioned whether the change orders included additional costs before approving them. Price's confirmation they had only time extensions allowed quick approval without extended debate.