Council approves prepackaged lift station and backup generator purchases for Bowlby project

The Waupaca Common Council on Aug. 19 approved two procurements tied to the Bowlby Lift Station replacement: a prepackaged lift station from Smith & Loveless and a 100 kilowatt natural-gas standby generator and transfer switch from Walter, Inc. Public Works Director Justin Behrens said the items were bid separately to address long manufacturer lead times (12–18 months) and to remove potential contractor markups. Bid openings on Aug. 7 returned two lift-station bids and one generator bid; combining the low bids kept the package under the project allowance and within the sewer revenue bond financing set aside for Bowlby. Nut graf: Council approved the prepackaged lift station (not to exceed $788,928) and separately approved the generator and transfer switch (not to exceed $52,306, which included the recommended extended warranty). Funding for both items comes from sewer utility revenue bond proceeds allocated to the Bowlby replacement project. Council discussion noted the bids included tariff language that could require later adjustment for material-price changes; staff said it would report any tariff-based changes back to council before additional payments beyond the awarded amounts. Formal action: The council approved the Smith & Loveless lift-station contract, 9–0, and approved the Walter generator purchase, 9–0. The water and sewer commission recommended the purchases earlier the same day. Ending: With equipment ordered, staff expects equipment deliveries to align with construction timing next summer and will return to council with construction bids and scheduling details as design and procurement proceed.