Unity seeks grant for fishing pier, OKs extra work on restroom upgrade

Unity officials are seeking a state grant to pay for part of planned improvements at the lake next to the municipal building on Beatty County Road.

Supervisors on Thursday agreed to apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program for about $54,000 to help construct a handicapped-accessible fishing pier on the lake.

The township would be responsible for a $9,400 local share of the cost, according to solicitor Gary Falatovich.

Catch-and-release fishing is allowed at the lake.

If approved, the pier construction would join other upgrades proposed at the lake.

Unity recently was approved by county officials for a Community Development Block Grant, to pave an 1,800-foot walking path around the lake. That $161,000 project requires a 15% local match.

The township intends to close a gap in the trail, on one side of the lake, and replace a dirt surface with asphalt on the three remaining sides.

Unity is awaiting county approval to seek bids for paving the path, according to Supervisor Ed Poponick.

Handicapped-accessible walkways also would be added leading from the lake path to a picnic pavilion and to the township building, where handicapped parking spaces would be available.

Also at the township building, supervisors approved change orders that will add $13,336 to JLD Construction’s roughly $81,000 contract for renovating the municipal building’s rest rooms, to comply with handicapped-accessibility guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The extra work includes replacement of a drain line and vent pipe.

“It’s going along pretty well,” said Supervisor Mike O’Barto, who reported that the project’s demolition phase is completed and the contractor is waiting for materials to arrive for reconstructing the modified facilities.

That work is being paid for through a $110,000 Community Development Block Grant. O’Barto noted the leftover portion of the money may be switched to another eligible township project.

Supervisors awarded this year’s hot mix paving program to Derry Construction, which submitted a low bid of $477,599. They opted to rebid a grounds maintenance contract for playgrounds and monument sites and tabled for review bids for stone and pipe supplies, storm inlets, grates and equipment rental.