With the backing of the federal government, the Franklin General Authority will enter the fight over who and what exactly gets to be deemed a “life-essential-service.”
“We’ve got to take this action to keep our projects moving,” authority chairman Tim Dunkle said during the panel’s virtual meeting Tuesday.
The action Dunkle referred to was a letter he has written citing a recent “advisory memorandum” released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
The letter contends that infrastructure support services such as contractors, “who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences, businesses and buildings,” are a part of this critical group.
In a unanimous decision, Dunkle’s letter was approved and will now be sent to the general contractor, Chivers Construction Co. of Erie, which will be replacing 1,200 feet of water line from the Miller Hill tank to just before 15th Street.
If this waiver is granted, it could shed a positive light on a multitude of other projects on the authority’s roster that are waiting for the green light.
Many of these projects were briefly discussed Tuesday only to be put on hold for either the authority’s upcoming workshop or the panel’s May meeting.
