The Rush Township supervisors opened four bids for its sanitary sewer replacement project last week, tentatively accepting the low bid from a Pine Grove company.

Four contractors submitted bids for three parts of the project, with Chairman Shawn Gilbert E. Gilbert reading the bids. The lowest total bid of $317,911.04 was offered by Arthur “Pat” Aungst Inc. of Pine Grove.

There were three options for bidders:

• Site A — Hometown Avenue from Purnell Avenue to Marinnier Street, and Miller Avenue from Marinnier Street to the entrance of the Miller Park parking lot.

• Site B — Elmore Street from Holland Street south to Welsh Road, and from Welsh Road to Cumberland Avenue.

• Site C — Hometown Avenue, Miller Street and Marinnier Street intersection for regrading the area for better stormwater flow.

Aungst provided the low bids on all three parts of the project at $153,049, $106,681.60, and $58,180.44, respectively.

William N. McMullen, project manager with ARRO Engineering and Environmental Consultants, Orwigsburg, the township’s consulting engineering firm, said the supervisors could award the project to the lowest responsible bidder pending review of the bid documents and specifications.

McMullen said the Site C part of the project may be held due to work to be done next year.

“That may be removed from the project to open up for restoration of the entire road for all the roads that are getting sewer work done,” McMullen said. “I have it in the contract documents that all the restoration can be taken out without any penalty to the township. We intend to put out a reconstruction project for those roads next spring.”

The supervisors tentatively awarded the project to Aungst pending review by ARRO.

In other business, Secretary/Treasurer Katie Orlick read a letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development announcing that the township will receive a grant of $350,000 for its HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

“That program has done very well in this township,” Gilbert said.

Leibensperger said residents of low- to moderate-income are eligible to apply for this affordable housing program. The HOME program is the commonwealth’s primary vehicle to provide affordable housing in Pennsylvania’s communities. The creation of new affordable housing options and opportunities are as essential to the health and welfare of many families, as well as to the economic well-being of the commonwealth.

“They have to apply and go through the process,” Gilbert said.

The supervisors accepted the 2018 Minimum Municipal Obligation for the non-uniform pension plan in the amount of $48,523. The township’s obligation for the police pension plan in 2018 is zero. The MMU is the state-mandated smallest amount a municipality must contribute to any pension plan established for its employees.

The supervisors accepted a request from Tropp Contracting Inc. for a time extension until Nov. 9 for the 2017 road project.

During public comment, the supervisors heard a complaint about some mailboxes that were damaged through vandalism. Vice Chairman Robert J. Leibensperger said the police are doing their best to find out who is doing the vandalism, though it is difficult at times to identify the culprits.

Trick or Treat Night in the township is from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday.