Tarentum street-paving list firmed up, late utility fees waived this month due to new billing system

West Tarentum is the focus of Tarentum’s road paving this year.

Roads included in the project are the intersections of West Sixth Avenue and Center Street; Center Street at West 12th Avenue; the 200 block of West 12th; Hill Street, from Bakerstown Road to Locust Street; Locust Street, from Hill Street to Weaver Way; and Weaver Way, from Bakerstown to Locust.

Tarentum has accepted a nearly $70,000 bid to have the work done.

Borough Manager Michael Nestico said the borough was expecting the work to cost more; Gibson-Thomas Engineering had estimated it at about $101,600.

Because of that, he said the borough may be able to do more paving on West Fourth Avenue, between Bull Creek and the railroad crossing.

Council voted unanimously Tuesday to award the paving contract to El Grande Industries, which had bid of $69,817 for the project to pave those seven roads and intersections. It was the lowest of four bids received, which were opened May 27.

Other bidders were Derry Construction, A. Folino Construction and Ron Gillette. Bids ranged from El Grande’s low bid up to about $84,700 from Gillette.

Utility bills delayed

A change to a new billing system is delaying Tarentum’s June utility bills, Nestico said.

The monthly bills residents receive for electric, water and garbage service will be arriving later than usual. In a notice to residents, the borough said it hoped to mail June utility bills by Friday.

Because of the delay on the borough’s end, council unanimously approved waiving any late fees and penalties for June only.

The borough is asking that all bills be paid by June 25 to avoid outstanding amounts carrying over to July bills.

As part of the change to the new system, the borough said residents will have a slightly different account number.

Bills will look different and contain different information — including additional data about usage and consumption.

The borough has a different processing system for customers paying with credit cards. Credit card service fees have been lowered.

Those using the auto-pay system will have to re-enroll with the borough’s new provider.

Those on budget billing plans are asked to continue to pay their usual budget amounts. Customers should not be alarmed by any discrepancies on their June bills, the borough said.