Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MILFORD – A change order for the lead water line replacement project was one of the reasons for the Milford Town Council to meet in special session on Wednesday afternoon.
Ryan LaReau of Commonwealth Engineers was present, and he said there were a few things at the intersection of James Street and Emeline where Selge Construction is currently working that is causing the change order. He said there’s a six-inch main going west on Emeline and a four-inch main going south. There’s a hydrant at the intersection they were going to leave so the new building that the Milford Food Bank is building could tie-in to the water main through the hydrant and last week they discovered it was missing a valve.
“Every service needs a valve so they can shut it off,” he said.
Then in the middle of last week Selge Construction was exposing the water main and found a lead packing joint that couldn’t be left. Additionally, there were some reconfigurations done to tie in the water main to the south and west. LaReau said this all resulted in add-ons and reductions for connections and valves.
Lastly, Selge requested they be allowed to use gravel instead of limestone as an aggregate base, mainly because it is closer to pick up, resulting in $8,600 savings. He said that change met with their acceptable specifications.
The additions to the change order totaled $21,390 with deductions totaling $15,050, resulting in a total change order in the amount of an additional $6,340.
The council had a couple of questions before approving the change order. Council President Doug Ruch commented since some of these things can’t be known until they get into the project they should probably expect there’ll be more change orders. LaReau said it was possible, but often when they do a final quantity adjustment at the end of a project they balance out. But in this case since they knew there’d be additional length, connections and valves they thought it best to do it now. The council approved the $6,340 change order.
LaReau also wanted the council to weigh in on color selections for the treatment plant. The building itself is gray concrete block, but they need to select colors for the windows, doors, etc. Council and Utility Superintendent Steven Marquart chose gray. Ruch said, “We want to keep the continuity of our buildings.”
The council made a motion to have Marquart and LaReau choose a shade of gray that will keep the town building’s continuity.
Water Tower Leak
Marquart said the mud valve on the water tower has a leak and they need to drain it and wash it. He said Dixon Engineering was working in Syracuse and was almost done so there would be a mobilization reduction if they could come directly to Milford to change the mud valve and work on the aviation lights.
Council members had a question about what a lump sum listed on the quote was for and Marquart called and found out it was for project administration, including observing and inspections. The total cost for the work is $14,600 from Dixson Engineering, Lake Odessa, Michigan. The council approved having the work done right away.
In other business, the council:
• Approved having the Lions Club use the community building’s parking lot for Trunk n’ Treat.
• The board will meet in regular session Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. when they plan to approve the 2026 budget.
