Fairfield area news-briefs

Danielle Ryan

(12/20) Muddy Run Bridge Open

The new Route 116 (Fairfield Road) Bridge, which spans Muddy Run in Highland Township, opened to traffic on December 2, after being closed for over two months. This new bridge replaced the former structure as part of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's (PennDOT) Rapid Bridge Replacement Project and allows PennDOT to remove it from the state's structurally deficient list.

With the bridge reopened to traffic, motorists may notice a slight bump as they drive across the bridge until a polyester polymer concrete (PPC) overlay is applied to the deck. This is often the final step in completing box beam bridge projects. The PPC overlay is designed to protect the deck from the wear and tear brought about by Pennsylvania’s harsh winters and reduce the long-term maintenance costs.

The polyester material can only be applied when temperatures are consistently above 40 degrees, dry weather is forecasted and after the bridge concrete has cured for at least 30 days. Flaggers will assist in guiding alternating bi-directional traffic when the PPC overlay is applied in the spring of 2017.

This bridge is one of 558 bridges being replaced statewide under the Rapid Bridge Replacement Project. The Rapid Bridge Replacement Project is a public-private partnership (P3) between PennDOT and Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners (PWKP), under which PWKP will finance, design, replace and maintain the bridges for 25 years. The P3 approach allows PennDOT to replace the bridges more quickly while achieving significant financial savings and minimizing impact on motorists.

Carroll Valley Borough Building

During the December 13 Carroll Valley Borough Council meeting, the Council discussed some change orders for the new Borough building. The sign that will be placed outside the building that will broadcast events, meetings, and other important information to the public was originally estimated to cost $65,680. The price of the sign has decreased since the original estimate to $57,625.

The sign will be digital and Borough staff will be able to update the information on the sign from their phones, through an app. This will allow staff to update information even if they are not in the building: an important feature in case of emergency. Borough Manager David Hazlett hopes the price will decrease even more as they plan on decreasing the dimensions of the sign. The Council voted to allow the purchase of a sign as long as the price doesn’t exceed the $57,625 price.

The Council also approved the $12,000 installation of a water meter and backflow preventer system. This cost was not initially anticipated, but due to the distance between the new building and the water main, a pit had to be constructed and a water meter needed to be placed near the street. York Water Company, Carroll Valley’s contracted company, required this pit and water meter. The price was originally over $17,000, but has since been talked down to $12,000.

Fairfield Boy Scouts host spaghetti dinner

Boy Scout Troop 76 in Fairfield is organizing an all you can eat spaghetti dinner and silent auction to raise funds for a sister (Savannah Bollinger) of one of their Eagle Scouts (Matthew). Savannah had a severe concussion a few years ago and that has lead to some debilitating medical issues. She has need of and has gratefully been accepted for a service dog to help her maintain a safe and normal life but the price tag of approximately $10,000 is very high. Savannah's family has been very involved with scouts and the troop would like to give back to such a wonderful family by helping them raise some money towards it. The dinner will be held on Sunday, January 15, from 3 – 7 pm at the Fairfield Fire Hall. The cost is $10 for adults, $6 for children under the age of 12, and any child under the age of 6 is free. If need be, the snow date is Sunday, January 22, same time and place. For more information, contact Jane at 717-253-7950.

Carroll Valley Council President resigns

Carroll Valley Council President, Janis Ashman unexpectedly resigned from her position as President as well as positions in other committees. Ashman had been a member on the Council for six years. Her letter of resignation did not indicate her reason for terminating her position. Vic President Sarah Skoczen will serve as interim President until a nominated candidate fills the position.

The Board elected to delay accepting the resignation as they only have 30 days to select another candidate. With the holidays taken into consideration, Council felt it was best to delay the acceptance of the resignation so they have plenty of time to find a candidate. The Council will vote on the acceptance of Ashman’s resignation at the January meeting, and will then have 30 days to appoint a new member to the position.