The decision to re-bid the Crothersville Wastewater Improvement project proved to be a wise one as more bidders participated in the bidding project the second time and the lowest bid was nearly $600,000 lower.
Mitchell and Stark Construction of Medora was tentatively awarded the contract for the work with a bid of $2,656,000. Mitchell & Stark was the lone bidder on Aug. 25 with a bid of $3.3 million.
At the September Council meeting the council decided to modify the scope of the project, lengthen the time the contractor was given to complete the work and to advertise for new bids.
Following the first bidding process, non-bidding contractors said the main reason they did not submit a bid was the short deadline to complete the work by July 31.
Town Council members were pleased this time around when six contractors submitted bids before the deadline last Tuesday.
MAC Construction on New Albany was the next lowest bid at $2,970,000. Other bidders included Dave O’Mara Construction of North Vernon ($3,127,900), Bowen Engineering of Indianapolis ($3,141,000), Reynolds Construction of Orleans ($3,224,000), and Wilhelm Construction of Indianapolis ($3,267,000).
The engineer’s estimate from FPBH Inc of North Vernon was $2,630,000 which prompted town engineer Brad Bender of FPBH to say, ” We are within $26,000 of the estimate. We will be able to modify some of the work with some of the deducts to get this project entirely done and on budget.”
The council anticipates officially awarding the contract at their Nov. 1 meeting.
In other business:
•The council approved three more homes for repair under a state funded housing grant.
•It was announced that town hall will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 1 for staff software training and closed on Tuesday, Nov. 11, for the municipal election.
•Charles Campbell was approved for a water adjustment after it was learned the town water utility valve serving his home was not able to be shut off for two days allowing him to make the repair.
•The town established trick or treat night for Monday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. Residents welcoming trick-or treaters should turn on their porch lights, it was announced.
