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Fredonia trustees vote to seek bids to replace aging chlorination system after treatment-plant failure
Summary
Trustees voted to advertise a request for proposals to update the village’s chlorination system after a tubing rupture reduced chlorine residuals two weeks earlier. Estimated costs discussed ranged from about $83,000 to $232,000; the village may pursue low‑interest state financing.
Trustee Syracuse moved and the Board of Trustees of the Village of Fredonia voted to advertise a request for proposals to update the village chlorination system after a recent pump/tubing rupture at the water treatment plant reduced chlorine residuals.
Trustee Wandel, who summarized the problem for the board and public, said the plant experienced a tubing rupture that caused chlorine residuals to drop in the clearwell and left the system “not purified to the level that it needs to be.” Wandel told trustees an engineering review had produced three options: a baseline improvement and conversion to liquid chlorine with a construction cost shown in the materials at about $83,000; a complete conversion to on‑site generation estimated at $232,000; and the option to take no action. Wandel said preliminary estimates also suggested the village could potentially finance work with a zero‑percent state loan and that action now could avoid a failure later; he stated, “It's gonna cost us a $100,000, which it very possibly could,” while noting the figures are preliminary.
Clerk/Treasurer Alyssa reported the village water reserve balance at $611,891.22. Trustees discussed timing and procurement steps: several trustees urged issuing an RFP so bidders would compete rather than allowing non‑RFP site visits that could give an unfair advantage. Trustee Syracuse made the motion to advertise an RFP "for updating our chlorination system including but not limited to converting from tablet to liquid chlorine." The motion passed on a roll call with all trustees voting in favor.
The board noted potential lead times for equipment and that converting from a tablet‑based system to liquid chlorine or on‑site generation would involve construction, tanks, pumps and containment work. Trustees also discussed interim repairs and the limited supply of replacement hoses; a failure while spare parts are depleted would risk service interruptions. The board directed staff to advertise the RFP and proceed with the procurement process.
Votes at a glance: the RFP motion was made by Trustee Syracuse and recorded as approved by unanimous vote of trustees present. No contract award was made at the meeting; selection, bidding, and final pricing will follow the RFP and procurement process.
