WINONA LAKE - Wessler and Associates recommended G&G Excavating for Contract B storm drain/sewer rehabilitation project at the Tuesday morning Winona Lake Town Council meeting. The company turned in the low bid of $271,848, $46,000 over estimated costs.

Brent Siebenthal, vice president of Wessler and Associates of Indianapolis, said the bid for Contract A is $81,000 under estimates.

G&G's work will be to rehabilitate the manholes, lift stations and in-ground sewer lines. The Miller Pipeline Corp. of Indianapolis will install linings in the lines. They have been given notice to proceed and should be finished with the job by Feb. 20.

Siebenthal asked for $2,500 extra for labor, overhead and reimbursable expenses since the company had to put the project out to bid three times.

Council member Craig Snow asked if the town had left anything out of the specifications or did anything else to cause a problem.

Siebenthal said no, but his company expected one company to do excavating work and subcontract the lining or vice versa. It didn't work out that way and the project was advertised as two jobs. Companies in this area weren't interested in a three-year maintenance agreement and the project was advertised again with a one-year agreement.

Council member Jerry Clevenger suggested Wessler and Associates absorb the costs. "I do consultation work and never know if I'm going to come out ahead or not," he said.

The board approved half the payment, $1,250, with Clevenger voting nay.

Town coordinator Craig Allebach recommended the driveway at 208 N. Union St. be redesigned for the property owner to accommodate a path for the Lake City Greenway, which was approved.

He said he wasn't sure of the cost, but it would be covered by the state recreational trail grant.

In other business, the board:

• Approved resolutions and salary ordinances with increases for town employees by 3 percent for 2003. The town coordinator's base salary is $55,113.24; town marshal, 45,386.12; clerk-treasurer, $36,080.46; deputy marshals, $35,806.68; building commissioner, $27,385.02; and hourly rates for Karen Shingledecker and Ellen Swaim, $12.62 per hour. Employees also will receive a $275 holiday bonus.

The town council president receives $3,750 per year with other members receiving $3,150 each.

• Waived sewer tap on fees for four Robin Hood homes, a senior housing area.

• Approved aerial photography of the town on the 2-foot- square scale at a cost of $6,062, which will be paid before the year ends.

• Heard the work on Chestnut Street is complete except for minor repairs.

• Heard exercise equipment, two stationary bicycles and two treadmills have been purchased for the senior center through a K21 Foundation grant.

A senior "fun night" is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 17.

• Approved the purchase of a 1-1/2-ton truck for the street department at a cost of $36,332.20 from Kerlin Ford and a vehicle lift for $3,400, which includes shipping and installation.

• Approved Pete O'Connell to serve as a certified water tester at Grace Village at $25 per day, if necessary.

O'Connell is the town's public works superintendent, an employee of Severn-Trent.

Jeff Carroll, who excused himself from the vote, is executive director of Grace Village Retirement Center. He said having a certified water inspector available to the facility is an Indiana Department of Environmental Management recommended ordinance, pending a court ruling.

Winona Lake events were given as: The Village at Winona holiday festival Dec. 6 through 8; and Fort Wayne Philharmonic Pops Concert at Rodeheaver Auditorium Dec. 15.

Town council members are David Delp, Craig Snow, Jeff Carroll and Jerry Clevenger. Rolly Ortega was absent. [[In-content Ad]]