Authority adopts routine finance resolutions and rejects School Avenue pump bid for re‑advertisement

The Franklin Township Sewage Authority adopted its consent agenda of routine financial resolutions and separately approved a resolution to reject and re‑advertise a bid for the School Avenue pump replacement.

Chairwoman Ford called the consent agenda, which included Resolution No. 1 (payroll account $146,111.65), Resolution No. 2 (operating expenses $185,218.54), Resolution No. 3 (general fund $191,660.583 — as read on the record), Resolution No. 4 (renewal and replacement $160,433.604 — as read on the record) and Resolution No. 5 (escrow fund $2,444). Commissioners moved and seconded the consent motion and the chair called voice approval; "All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Resolutions are adopted," she said.

The board then considered Resolution No. 6, an additional resolution to reject bids and re‑advertise for the receipt of bids for the School Avenue pump replacement project. Scott (staff member) and authority engineers reviewed the apparent low bid and found the equipment proposed was not the same manufacturer or a direct replacement for the existing pump station units. "The equipment that was submitted was not the direct replacement and or the same manufacturer as we currently have at the pump station," Scott said. Engineering firm CME Associates corroborated that some dimensions were off and that the submittal would not permit a simple in‑kind removal and replacement.

Because the work would be performed in‑house by authority staff, the authority concluded it is preferable to procure equipment that is compatible with the existing installation to allow a direct swap. The board adopted the resolution to reject and re‑advertise the bid by voice vote; the chair called, "All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? The motion is adopted."

No executive session was requested. The meeting adjourned after the votes.