NORTH WEBSTER — Being placed between a metaphorical rock and a hard place, with historically low interest rates hanging in the balance, North Webster Town Council members opted to tentatively approve bids for its sewer project Tuesday, Nov. 17.

The tentatively approved bids came from Crosby Construction and Selge Construction. Crosby’s bid related to division one, which is the wastewater plant, and came in at approximately $1.37 million. Selge’s bid was for division two, which includes the collection system, pipes and lift stations, and was for an approximate $2.68 million. The total of both bids is roughly $3.4 million and will be funded through grant monies and an existing rate increase.

Council President Jon Sroufe stated the council’s goal is not to burden the community with additional rate increases. That goal seems reachable since the bids are well within the current rate increases, not requiring additional ones.
Mike Noe, manager of public works, expressed his concerns with the bids, particularly if they would also address Epworth Forest’s lift stations, also in violation

Rick Pharis, with Triad Associates, said he is in talks with Selge Construction about reducing costs, noting several areas — from alarms and lift stations to the pipe bursting (a trenchless method of replacing buried pipeline) project in the area of Jefferson, Washington and Blaine streets — where costs might be cut.

“Once all prices are down and we have change orders (in regards to OKRA and SRF monies), it’d be put into the contingency fund,” said Pharis, noting if it grew large enough, it could be used toward the Epworth stations.

It was noted rebidding was an option to include those stations; however, the town had no guarantee of receiving the OKRA and SRF grants again.

While Pharis is optimistic the contingency fund will be large enough, he stated, “I can’t guarantee the Epworth Forest stations.”

Throughout the proceedings, the current historically low interest rates were not far from mind, with it being stated it is critical for North Webster to close the bids process at the end of year to take advantage of those rates.

Pharis said historically when rebidding, bids tend to come in higher, not lower.

North Webster Clerk-Treasurer Betsy Luce voiced her thoughts, stating, “We must get it at the lowest rate, it’s our best to get it (the project) done.”

All council members voted in favor of the tentative approvals.

In relation to the bids and sewer project, the council amended ordinance 2015-09-15, now ordinance 2015-11-17, to increase the maximum bond from $3,885,000 to $4,099,000.

In other North Webster Town Council news:

• Town residents should mark their calendars: Leaf pickup ends Dec. 4.
• The town park has been prepared for winter with its water having been turned off, leaves picked up and piers removed from the lake.
• Council members approved an inter local agreement for 2016 between the town and the county for terminal services.
• A new SUV for the police department, to replace the Crown Victoria squad car, was approved by the council.

Next meeting is at 6 p.m. Dec. 15 in the party room at the North Webster Community Center.

North Webster Police Department received a donation of four Remington Model 870 shotguns from Tactical and Hunting Solutions of North Webster, owned by John and Tammy Burnau. NWPD had traded in its old shotguns, with the Burnaus donating the difference.
Brett Anderson, left, representing Tactical and Hunting Solutions, makes the donation with Police Chief Greg Church after the North Webster Town Council meeting Tuesday, Nov. 17. Church called it a “fantastic donation” for the department. (Photo by Sarah Wright)