NORTH WEBSTER – Town Council accepted about $4 million in bids for sewer system upgrades Tuesday, but can only hope they have enough money to include Epworth Forest lift stations in the project. Rick Pharis with Triad Engineering presented two bids each for the two parts of the project, the wastewater treatment plant and the collection system. Based on his recommendations, council awarded treatment plant upgrades to R.E. Crosby and Son for a bid of $1.38 million and the collection system to Selge Construction for $2.68 million. To cover the total for the two bids, council also passed an amendment to a September bond ordinance to increase by a little under $200,000 the $3.88 million issuance through the State Revolving Fund. Before the vote, Utilities Manager Mike Noe told council he thought the bids seemed a little high, especially since they don’t include upgrading the five lift stations in Epworth Forest, which he estimated would cost about $500,000. Council President Jon Sroufe agreed, saying he can’t believe they weren’t included in the blueprints. Pharis expressed confidence that certain costs can be brought down after the contracts are awarded, with that extra money collected in a contingency fund for the project. In his experience, he said, the fund should gather enough money for extra needs like the five lift stations, but it’s not something he can guarantee. The town could rebid the project, he added, but financing would likely cost more next year and the bids could come in even higher, in addition to the delay. Clerk-Treasurer Betsy Luce remarked that the financing they have now “is the most we’re gonna get at the lowest rate we’re gonna get. It’s our best shot.” Also Tuesday: • Council approved the $28,874 purchase of an SUV from Kerlin Ford for the North Webster Police Department, with a $3,100 trade-in for the Crown Victoria it will replace. Police Chief Greg Church said he wanted to go with an SUV over a car this time because it will have a higher value when it’s time to retire it. • Church thanked John and Tammy Burnau, owners of Tactical and Hunting Solutions gun shop in town, for trading four new Remington shotguns for four of the department’s older guns. Employee Brett Anderson attended the meeting to accept the thanks on the store’s behalf. • Noe reported that Dec. 4 is the last day for leaf pickup, and that his department is starting to gear up for snow removal.
