CLARKS SUMMIT — Abington Heights Superintendent of Schools Michael Mahon announced the district is taking legal action against the insurance company representing Yannuzzi Inc., of Hazleton, the contractor employed to complete renovations at the high school pool, during an Oct. 19 board meeting.
Continued delays in the project completion date and shoddy work led the district to inform the contractor of an ultimatum.
“There was every expectation and commitment on the part of contractor that this (project) would be done by the end of August,” Mahon said. “The end of August rolled into the middle of September to late September to October. We were very frustrated and sent them a letter informing them if the project was not finished in 10 days, we’re putting you out.”
When the contractors turned on the new Dry-O-Tron, a mechanical dehumidification system used to control humidity and air temperature, in late September, the duct work began to collapse.
“We originally thought it was because of a blockage or too much air flow,” Mahon said. “We found the metal used in the vents was far below in quality the specifications the contractor had agreed, and was required and paid to put in.
“At that point, we threw the contractor out and we are currently going after the contractor’s insurance company because we required a performance bond to be in place. We made a claim against the contractor’s insurance company Oct. 4 and we’ve been upset with the time frame in which they responded.”
While Abington Heights had not previously utilized Yannuzzi for any projects, as the lowest bidder the district was obligated to hire them.
“In 17 years as a superintendent, I’ve seen many construction projects and never has anything come close to the troubles we’ve experienced here,” Mahon said.
Mahon has taken steps to ensure the project can be properly completed as soon as possible.
“I’ve been in contact with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and have a verbal agreement with them to deem this an emergency project, which will allow us to avoid the timely bidding process we would otherwise be responsible to follow,” he said. “The district has also been in contact with some responsible general contractors, who are lined up and ready to go if the insurance company will give us the authorization following the Oct. 24 meeting.”
The delay in completion of the pool project also puts the Abington Gators’ season in jeopardy.
New swimmers on the team were originally scheduled to begin practicing Oct. 11 with the first Northeastern Pennsylvania Age Group Swim League meet scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 3.
“It’s a big time crunch,” Abington Gators President Melanie Brock said.
Members of Abington Heights’ administration met with representatives from the insurance and construction companies Oct. 24.
“We were able to fully present our point of view,” Mahon said Tuesday. “We were asked to provide additional documentation and expect them to come up with a decision very soon that addresses the issues and problems the district has encountered.”
