NORTH WEBSTER — Change orders and construction progress were the talk of the evening for the Lakeland Regional Sewer District board during the regular monthly meeting held at the North Webster Community Center.

The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, with DLZ Project Engineer Casey Erwin taking the lead but also taking some heat. Erwin opened with updates on construction progress for each contracted area of the nearly $29 million sewer project wrapping around the Barbee Chain of Lakes.

Overall, the large project is sitting at 78 percent of substantial completion. As anticipated, change orders have been rolling in the closer each contracted area is to completion. Most commonly, the engineers find room in the project for electrical changes or adding asphalt or pavement.

Erwin presented several change orders approved the board. A change order in the amount of $12,220 approved the addition of concrete walk and stoops around the wastewater treatment plant buildings as well as the additional of a limestone path over the previously mentioned gravel. The pre-fabricated blower building will also be receiving aluminum flashing with a sealant to improve the structure’s water resistance.

Erwin also proposed a change order in the amount of $88,891.30 for the addition of asphalt along the access drive and parking lot as well as cutting the county road leading up to it make the transition smoother. Greg Mitchell, board member, expressed appreciation for that figure which originally came to the district as an estimation of more than $100,000.

The board questioned Erwin heavily on a change order he mentioned as a future proposal. The electrical changes Erwin sees for the future are ones the board feels were already part of the project, something Erwin said he has not had time to investigate. In reference to the estimated $18,000 change order, board president Jim Haney stated, ‘It’s gonna be a hard sell to this board.”

The board had no kind words when it came to the news grinder station manufacturer Crane was unable to utilize either of its two repair methods on the defective stations that are sitting in storage. Just 18 stations that are in storage were found to still be defective and the board denied a proposal for a third reparation method sent by Crane. “I’m inclined to send them back,” stated board treasurer Mike DeWald.

The board agreed, noting even the extended warranty offered by Crane does not ease minds when it comes to an additional method of fixing the problem.

Additional notes:

• The pre-fabricated blower building was painted a blue-grey color over the galvanized material against the wishes of the district. The board will be asking for it to be repainted to match the color of the other buildings on the property.

• A change order for additional length of material for two channel crossings (290 feet) was approved. The amount totals $23,852.50.

• The board approved invoices/disbursements totaling $1,206,505.69.

• Kenny Jones of Jones Petrie Rafinski was present at the meeting to discuss inspection procedures with the district.