New pavers approved for Main Street

Improvements intended to enhance downtown appearance

By:Eric Schwarz
   Manville plans to install brick pavers along Main Street sidewalks using a county grant to cover most of the cost.
   The Borough Council on Monday agreed to pay up to $167,290 to M. J. Hoag Contracting of Kenilworth to install pavers from the Lehigh Valley Railroad overpass, south to Orchard Street, about a block-and-a-half south of Camplain Road.
   The pavers will extend across the sidewalk to the front door of businesses. A 42-inch strip of brick now runs along the side of the sidewalk from the curbs.
   Sidewalks vary from 6 to 12 feet wide, said Borough Administrator Gary Garwacke.
   "We’re going to finish the rest of the sidewalk and pull out the existing concrete" from the current edge of the pavers to the front door of the buildings along Main Street, Mr. Garwacke said.
   Hoag was the lowest of five bidders received Aug. 10.
   Bidders also were asked to submit an alternate price for extending the installation three blocks farther south to William Street. The borough did not award that alternate contract.
   Under Hoag’s bid, the extra work would have cost another $38,902.50.