Ryan Lareau of Commonwealth Engineers explained his recommendations on water improvement bids at a special town council meeting Friday, May 9. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.

MILFORD — The Milford Town Council held a special meeting to accept bids for its water utility improvement projects Friday, May 9.

Planned improvements include looping of dead-end water mains, removal of lead water lines, installation of a mixer in the water tower and a new filtration system.

There were two bidding divisions: Division A, for water treatment; and Division B, for water lines.

Ryan Lareau of Commonwealth Engineers stated the firm’s recommendation for Division A of water projects was the same as before: R. Yoder Construction of Nappanee for $3,702,074, with $6,961 in mandatory alternatives. Mandatory alternatives include additional asphalt at the treatment plant; removal of an interior wall in the well building for more space and storage; and replacement of a natural gas generator with a diesel generator.

R. Yoder’s bid came closest to Commonwealth’s $3,595,000 engineering estimate. The bid is $114,000 over the estimate, but the difference will be covered by a $500,000 contingency included in the estimate.

There was one bid for Division B projects: Selge Construction of Niles, Mich. for $1,994,226.20.

“We have no concerns with them,” said Lareau. “They came in under our estimate. … They’re one of the easier contractors to work with in this area.”

The council approved awarding Division A projects with mandatory alternatives to R. Yoder, and Division B projects to Selge Construction.

The tentative start date for Division A work is September. Selge included a preliminary work schedule with its bid package, showing Division B work starting in March 2026 and ending that August, but this is not definite.

Mailers have already been sent out to approximately 60 homes that need lead service lines replaced. Homeowners have the option to accept or refuse the work being done on their property, although removal of all lead service lines within 10 years will be federally mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency starting October 2027. If homeowners refuse, Lareau said, the town will have to keep asking for approval to remove the lead line each year.