Shorewood board awards $2.17M lead service-line contract, approves up to $60,000 for large-pipe sewer televising

The Shorewood Village Board approved two infrastructure contracts on the same night: a $2,174,514 unit-price contract to replace lead (LIRA/Lehi) service lines in the Southeast area and a separate contract not to exceed $60,000 to televise and heavy-clean critical large storm and deep sewer pipes.

At the start of the village board session, a trustee moved to award the lead service-line contract to 5 Star Energy Services for the 2025–2026 Southeast area service-line replacement project; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. The motion text in the official record specified the base bid amount of $2,174,514 for the contract.

The board also considered a bid for large-pipe televising. Staff recommended awarding a unit-price contract to Vishu Sewer for an amount not to exceed $60,000. Staff cautioned the board that the original budget estimate was lower than the lowest responsive bid and that large-pipe storm sewer work is less predictable than routine sanitary-line work because storm lines are not regularly cleaned and can contain unanticipated heavy debris.

A staff member explained that contractors would prioritize critical segments, and the contract is structured so crews clean and televise segments in priority order; the contractor would proceed to subsequent segments only after the board and staff assess budget status. Staff requested completion of the televising work in time for Strand (the village’s engineering consultant) to analyze the footage and provide budget recommendations in September for the 2026 planning cycle.

Board members asked whether televising and cleaning the deep storm pipe would become a recurring maintenance item; staff said that while some especially large or deep pipes may be scheduled for periodic re-inspection (every five to 10 years in some cases), routine storm-sewer cleaning is not common practice because high-flow events typically scour storm conduits. Trustees also asked whether the televising equipment differs from prior municipal arrangements; staff said the contract covers specialized large-pipe equipment municipalities typically do not own.

Both motions carried with no recorded opposition. The board’s actions will feed into the long-range financial planning and 2026 budget discussions; staff noted the televising results will help the village prioritize capital spending on critical sewer infrastructure.