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Trustees seek contractor bids after community-build plan stalls for Morgan Township playground
Summary
Trustees decided to solicit firm contractor bids for a new playground after volunteer assembly proved unlikely; estimates provided range roughly $53,500–$59,600. Trustees also approved pavilion rental fees, a purchase order for electric work and directed funds for park items to the Hamilton Community Foundation.
Morgan Township trustees at their meeting voted to seek firm contractor bids for the township playground after volunteer-led assembly failed to attract enough help and officials raised safety and equipment concerns.
Trustees said two preliminary contractor estimates ranged from about $53,457 to $59,564, and that professionally installed work would likely cost in the $50,000–$60,000 neighborhood. Trustee discussion stressed that several playground structures are large and heavy — including items with 21-foot heights and columns weighing nearly 1,800 pounds — requiring cranes or telelifts and professional installers.
The move followed remarks from the township parks representative, who said community volunteers had not come forward in sufficient numbers and that the township’s road department was short-staffed, making a contractor-built option preferable. “I don't think it's gonna be less than 45 no matter who we go with, but I think that's the direction we need to go,” the parks representative said.
The trustees agreed to solicit additional bids and return with firm proposals before approving funding. Trustees said a contractor-built installation would provide warranty and inspection accountability that a volunteer build could not.
On related park business, trustees approved a purchase order for Kist Electric for $4,189 to run electrical service to the pavilion, which includes boring roughly 100 feet under the parking lot. The board also approved a pavilion rental-fee resolution setting weekday rentals at $50 and Friday–Sunday rentals at $75; the resolution was moved and approved by roll call.
Trustees clarified the township will not directly collect donations for a memorial tree program; donations and tree-fund management will go through the Hamilton Community Foundation. “It won't be coming into our coffers,” a trustee said, explaining the foundation will handle receipts and maintenance allocations.
Trustees reported turf funding for the playground is about 90% secured through donors but not fully in hand; the parks representative said remaining donor commitments were still pending. Trustees also discussed logistics for delivered playground components: two posts were missing from a shipment and were scheduled to ship from Texas later in the week, and the drinking fountain installation and concrete work were expected to be completed within the week.
The board asked staff to return with firm contractor bids and cost breakdowns before final approval of construction contracts.
