MANSFIELD - Following reassurances from contractor Bud Grove that they would only need to work on the "occasional Saturday" in case of bad weather, borough council agreed to grant a waiver of the borough ordinance that prohibits work on construction projects on weekends for the duration of phase 2 of the Mansfield Auxiliary Corps university residence hall project.
Saturday work will begin at 7 a.m. and end at 5 p.m., Grove, of Wholsen Construction, Lancaster, said.
"This doesn't mean we will work every Saturday, but we are trying to get the building opened in time for school next year," Grove said.
Unlike phase 1, which was stick built, phase 2 will be modular construction, so "much of the construction is done off site and there will be 20 to 30 percent less truck traffic coming in on specific routes," according to Grove.
"We want to be best neighbors we can be during construction. There will be phone numbers posted on construction fences for neighbors to call if there is an issue," he added.
During the week, Grove said, weather permitting, workers will "start site work a bit later and work as long as daylight hours allow," he said.
Trucks bringing in modular pieces for the north building will come down Morris Drive, where they will back their trailers in and a crane will lift them into place.
The south building, on the site of the former Cedarcrest, will come in on Fourth Street, then turn up the old road up Clinton Street, Grove said.
Much of the construction noise will be contained as the modular units come completely wrapped and the windows are in place.
Dr. James Parker, university vice president of student affairs, said a community meeting is planned in the near future in Hickory or Oak to allow the public to see what is going on and ask questions.
Grove said the company also will try to let the neighbors know that a Saturday workday is coming.
"We will do everything we can to work with the community to make it right," Grove said.
In other business, council:
Approved a five-year sewer agreement with the university, increasing rates from $168,000 per year to $182,000 per year.
Accepted low bids from Mayo and Sons Masonry, Waverly, N.Y., for its sidewalk program.
Agreed to pay $47,384 for paving work done on College Avenue out of its Housing Authority for Small Communities program and Liquid Fuels Funding.
Approved having an additional concrete pad poured at the sewage treatment plant.
