Franklin council awards $501,977 contract to install West Saint Martins water main, delays assessment decision

The City of Franklin Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday to award a $501,977 contract to Globe Contractors Inc. to install a 16-inch transmission water main on West Saint Martins Road, including an alternate to install 13 water service laterals.

The action came after more than two hours of staff presentations and aldermanic discussion about timing, cost and how (or whether) the work will be paid for by adjacent homeowners. Michael Polos, the city engineer, told the council the base bid for the main was $417,977 and alternate number 2 — 13 laterals — added about $84,000 for a total award of $501,977. "It's a critical piece of infrastructure that needed to be done ahead of the upcoming DOT road improvements at Saint Martins Road," Polos said.

Why it matters: staff said the main is a missing transmission link needed to complete a loop in the water system and to avoid re-opening a new roadway after Department of Transportation road reconstruction. Council members repeatedly cited time pressure from the DOT schedule.

Council discussion…