Private contractors paid $808K by Wilkes-Barre for blizzard cleanup

WILKES-BARRE — The city paid private contractors $808,394 for around-the-clock cleanup after the record-setting snowfall dumped by the March blizzard.

The figure was revealed as top city officials met with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington, D.C., to once again push for funding help.

Eight contractors worked between March 14 and 18, employing heavy equipment and dump trucks to clear major thoroughfares and side streets throughout the city during the State of Emergency declared by Mayor Tony George. The city dispatched its own crews and plows to clear the streets, but most of the work was done by the contractors. The combined costs of the city and contractors topped $1 million, according to the city.

Under a Right to Know request, the Times Leader obtained records detailing contractor payments. The city issued checks to these companies last month:

• Popple Construction Inc., Laflin, $288,788

• TSE Inc., Dunmore, $206,950

• Stell Enterprises Inc., Plains Township, $105,376

• Raldar Enterprises Inc., Dunmore, $63,260

• James T. O’Hara Inc., Covington Township $54,950

• Franchelli Enterprises Inc., Plains Township, $50,997

• Kriger Construction Inc., Dickson City, $26,804

• American Landscaping Inc., Wilkes-Barre, $11,270

The storm walloped the region, making travel treacherous and disrupting school and work schedules as 22.1 inches fell in Wilkes-Barre in less than 24 hours. The unbudgeted expense of digging out sent the mayor in search of disaster aid from FEMA.

The city could apply for reimbursement for only a portion of the total under the program administered by FEMA. It pooled its request of $678,155 with other municipalities in Luzerne County, and their total of $3.4 million was sent to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. The state had to meet a threshold of $18.5 million in combined expenses. It fell short of the mark, but still submitted a request for reimbursement of $7.7 million to FEMA.

Last month, FEMA denied the city’s request for payment, but allowed for an appeal. The mayor, city Administrator Ted Wampole, Fire Department Chief Jay Delaney and Capital Projects Program Manager Joyce Morrash Zaykowski traveled to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to meet with FEMA officials.

Contacted by phone on the way back to Wilkes-Barre, Wampole said the meeting went well and lasted approximately an hour. The city stated its case and FEMA representatives were receptive, he said.

“We have looked everywhere and made every possible appeal,” Wampole said of the city’s efforts for assistance.

Wilkes-Barre was the only municipality to make a face-to-face appeal, and the mayor credited U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, for helping to arrange the meeting.

There was no timetable for a decision, but Wampole said, “I would expect we would hear something soon.”

The city of Wilkes-Barre paid private contractors $808,394 to clean up after the March blizzard and haul away snow from the streets to Coal Street Park. In this file photo, dump trucks are seen unloading snow at the park.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_TTL031617Snow8adCMYK-1.jpgThe city of Wilkes-Barre paid private contractors $808,394 to clean up after the March blizzard and haul away snow from the streets to Coal Street Park. In this file photo, dump trucks are seen unloading snow at the park.