Bethlehem Township Balks at 2.5% Increase in Engineering Fees

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Comm'r Marty Zawarski

Bethlehem Township Commissioners unanimously tabled a proposed rate increase in engineering fees at their December 3 meeting. The Pidcock Company, which provides engineering services, has proposed a 2.5% rate increase next year, under which the hourly rate for professional services would vary between $48 and $108 per hour. Its current rate schedule has been in place since January 2011.

"With the state of the economy, I can't see that the engineer raised its bills at this time," complained Commissioner Martin Zawarski. He also groused about the mileage being charged, noting that Pidcock is located near Route 309, a forty mile round trip from the Township. "There are very, very good engineering firms within ten minutes of here," he observed.

Rather than outright reject the proposed rate increase, Commissioner Michael Hudak suggested reaching out to Pidcock to ask for an explanation. "We don't really know why a rate in crease is being proposed," added Commissioner Phil Barnard.

"I'm on the fence with this, noted President Paul Weiss, who would also like to hear from Pidcockk

Although he went along with tabling the pay hike, Commissioner Tom Nolan cautioned that changing township engineers is a "monumental task." He added that most of their fees are charged to developers, not the Township.