Contractor begins Park Avenue water‑sewer work; council briefed on millings, service replacement and traffic impacts

Crews have begun removing asphalt and installing sewer main on Park Avenue, a consultant told the Flandreau City Council on the evening’s utility update. Shane Waterman of IMAG said the contractor “began to remove the asphalt on Park Avenue” and set a manhole at the Wynne and Park intersection before installing sewer main east toward Prairie Street.

The work is intended to allow the contractor to complete both sewer and water on that stretch before moving to another area, Waterman said. He described the contractor’s early experience with milling: “They tried a mill which worked well, but was very slow because they didn't have any trucks available that helped them haul the millings off. So they abandoned that methodology … and have been doing it with the excavator.”

Why it matters: the method change affects how quickly streets are reopened, how much material is hauled off, and whether reclaimed asphalt millings (RAM) can be reused on other local projects.

Waterman and council members discussed the city’s options for reclaimed asphalt and existing service lines. He said the contractor may crush and reuse the millings if practical, but the city will not accept returned millings “unless they've done some improvements to it” because untreated millings can be difficult to grade.

The council also discussed sewer service replacements to the property line. Waterman said the project budgeted to replace sewer services from the main to the property line, but asked whether the council wanted crews to replace every service if an older plastic (PVC) lateral looked usable. “If they look like they're in good shape … we can save you a few bucks and just connect to them somewhere in the street and not go all the way back. My plan is to go ahead and replace them all the way back,” Waterman said. Alderman Mike (first name used in the meeting) urged keeping the plan to replace services, arguing that properly bedded, new pipe will avoid future headaches.

Contractor access and property impacts drew council attention. Waterman asked the council to tell staff if the contractor begins storing materials or encroaching on a nearby vacant lot or former alley so staff can rein them in. He also said the contractor will maintain water service by installing temporary above‑ground piping when sections are taken out of service.

Council members pressed for timely driveway restorations. Waterman said staff will “keep pestering them whenever they don't do that in a timely manner” so homeowners can access driveways and emergency responders have clear access.

What remains unsettled: Waterman said the sequence is subject to change if the contractor finds schedule conflicts in the field. He did not provide a formal completion date; council discussion centered on sequencing, temporary water, and restoring driveways rather than a specific timeline.

The utility update came during new business; no formal council action was required on the construction update itself.