The Village of Manteno awarded a $368,867.50 contract for the 2025 Leahy Park storm-sewer improvement project on Oct. 1 after trustees debated a $120,000 gap between the low bidder and other bids and confirmed state prevailing-wage and payroll checks are required.

Trustees voted to accept Allied Water Solutions’ low bid after the item was removed from the consent agenda for additional review. Trustee Mike Gotzke had asked that the item be pulled so the board could investigate prevailing-wage compliance and other questions raised during public comment. Bruce Hill, the village engineer, told trustees he had done reference checks and reported that municipalities that hired Allied were satisfied with the work.

During the meeting, several residents urged caution. Patrick Young, speaking in public participation, asked trustees to “table that and not award it tonight” while he investigated whether the company paid prevailing wages or participated in apprenticeship programs on publicly funded work. Village staff and the trustees explained the bid package required bidders to acknowledge prevailing-wage obligations and to submit certified payroll via the state portal before the village releases payments.

Allied Water Solutions’ owner attended the meeting and described company experience and approach to the job, including use of directional boring subcontractors for some work, local references and plans for full restoration of disturbed areas. He said Allied’s original internal estimate was higher but the firm reduced its profit margin to submit a lower, local bid.

Trustees discussed timing and homeowner disruption and emphasized the need to minimize construction impacts. Trustee Mike Crockett said the village wants work done “expeditiously” with minimal interference to homeowners. Several trustees said the village engineer had vetted references and that state labor-law protections (prevailing wage and payment/labor bonds) provide enforcement mechanisms.

The motion to accept Allied Water Solutions’ bid passed by roll call; Trustee Gotzke recorded an abstention during the final tally. No change orders or contract start dates were adopted at the meeting; trustees said staff and the village engineer will finalize contract documents and confirm certified payroll and bonding requirements before payments are issued.