Engineering Department Budget Narrative
FY 2021 Achievements, FY 2022 Goals, and Department Services
Timothy G. Clark, Director
ABOUT THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
The Engineering portion of the Department provides general engineering services and oversight for capital and non-capital projects and Township infrastructure, review and oversight of subdivisions and land developments, and direction and control of engineering matters throughout the Township.
GOALS FOR FY 2022
Goal: Coordinate applications for and the administration of grants to assist the Township in effectively addressing stormwater, infrastructure, and state mandated MS4 issues. (Focus Area: Fiscal Sustainability and Infrastructure)
- Objective: Continue to monitor grant opportunities for alignment with Township stormwater and MS4 needs. (Infrastructure Guiding Principle 2; Fiscal Sustainability, Guiding Principle 4)
Goal: Continue to develop projects to address ongoing stormwater issues throughout the Township.(Focus Area: Fiscal Sustainability)
- Objective: Track reported problem areas for opportunities to develop projects. (Infrastructure Guiding Principles 1 and 2)
Goal: Continue to coordinate and manage the Construction Services Team (Focus Area: Fiscal Sustainability and Infrastructure)
- Objective : Assess and schedule work as needed to effectively improve the infrastructure throughout the Township. (Infrastructure Guiding Principle 2)
Goal: Assist all departments with Engineering issues and advise accordingly. (Focus Area: Infrastructure)
- Objective: Issues arise pertaining to easements, property lines, etc. (Infrastructure Guiding Principle 5)
Goal: Coordinate and issue permits all major utility work to be performed within the Township. (Focus Area: Infrastructure)
- Objective: Work closely with the Utility Companies for replacement of gas and water mains. This includes road closures and detours on local and State roads. (Infrastructure Guiding Principle 5)
FY 2021 ACHIEVEMENTS
- Under the supervision of the Director of Engineering/Construction Services Manager and assistance from the Public Works Department, the construction services unit continued the successful construction of various Township infrastructure-type projects at a much lower cost than had traditionally been done by outside contractors. This included the completed design and construction of capital projects:
- Old Huntingdon Pike/Winding Way Stream Bank Stabilization;
- Harte Road Storm Sewer Project;
- School Lane Storm Sewer Project;
- Various Emergency Sanitary Sewer Repairs;
- Township Line and Holme Avenue Pedestrian Crossing.
- Continued coordination of the Abington/Jenkintown/Cheltenham Trail Phases One (1) through Five (5).
- Continued coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers on the 566 Grant project.
- Training and deployment of permit management software
PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES BY FUNCTION
ENGINEERING ADMINISTRATION
This administration is comprised of the Director of Engineering who is also the Construction Services Manager and Engineering Assistant. These staff members are associated with the engineering function of the department. Their tasks and responsibilities are broad-reaching and include the following:
- Design, management, and assessment of Township infrastructure such as storm sewers and sanitary sewer systems.
- Preparation of capital project plans, estimates for construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repairs of all street, storm sewers, culverts, sanitary sewers, bridges, intersections, sidewalks, curbs, watercourses, and erosion/sedimentation control.
- Bidding and construction administration of capital projects, including construction oversight and inspection, payment certification, completion certification.
- Maintenance of Township Registry System including preparation of books, plans, maps, house numbers, ownership of properties, subdivision plans, and registration of deeds.
- Preparation of grant applications and proposals for capital projects.
- Respond to One-Call System with respect to storm sewer facilities.
- Working with consultants to achieve MS4 Permit compliance and annual reporting, preparation of budgeting and plans for compliance with State requirements, bidding, inspection and preparation of final documentation of projects for compliance with State requirements.
- Liaise with utility companies (PECO, AQUA, Verizon, Comcast, etc.) and residents on utility and Township engineering matters.
- Review, process, and inspect highway permits and stormwater permits with respect to Township requirements. Verify stormwater system compliance to plan once a year for first 3 years then every 3 years.
- Meet with residents to review and discuss stormwater related issues.
- Coordination with state and federal agencies (PennDOT, DEP, DCED, EPA, USACE, FEMA/PEMA, etc.), establishment of PennDOT reimbursements, preparation of right-of-way agreements.