Some Cost Saving Realized For Water Tower
By Emily Gabert
It was nearly two years ago when the NYS Department of Health (DOH) came to a Berlin Town Board meeting to say either build a water tower, or face the strong possibility of a permanent boil water order as it relates to Water District #2. The reason behind the action, was DOH’s fear that contaminated water from the reservoir could flow back into the distribution system.
The town hired Cedarwood Engineering to design a tower and a method of delivering the water from the tower through the aging distribution system, safely. The cost of the project was pegged at $2.5 million, and the town qualified for a 60% state grant. The water district would be on the hook for the remaining 40%, or $1 million.
Recently, Cedarwood reported they had found a new contractor, who could construct the tower for approximately $400,000 less than was originally budgeted. At the board’s July meeting, it was debated whether to use that savings to pay for system upgrades and water meters, or simply reduce the cost of the project. Fast forward to Thursday, August 8, where Town Supervisor Rob Jaeger announced they had decided to go forward with some distribution upgrades, including a pair of ten-inch lines, but not to install meters, and use the bulk of the savings to reduce costs. The board formally accepted Cedarwood’s proposal, which now carries a $2.1 million price tag. Doing the math, this drops the amount the Water District will have to borrow, payable over 30 years, to $840,000.
Of course, with any construction project, costs may well fluctuate up or down, as the project progresses.
Finding Those Leaks
Discussion also turned toward the purchase of a leak detector for the district. As it currently stands, the district needs to borrow such equipment when needed. The board reached a consensus that it should investigate pricing with an eye toward a purchase. It also decided to look into any possible grants that may help reduce the purchase price.
Road Damage Payback
According to Highway Superintendent Jim Winn, the town is expected to receive a reimbursement check from Consolidated Communications. When fiber optics were installed by the company in town this past winter, roads were allegedly damaged by the work. Superintendent Winn said at the time of the meeting, they were still waiting on the check.
Mr. Winn also expressed a desire to see some sort of system put in place to potentially help prevent something like this from happening again. He said that it cuts into other work that his department needs to do, such as winter recovery projects.