Jackson Board of Public Works approves wastewater contracts, vehicle purchases and road reconstruction

The Village of Jackson Board of Public Works on Jan. 28 voted on a package of utility, vehicle and street projects, approving pay requests and vendor quotes intended to advance the village’s wastewater, streets and tower-maintenance programs.

Board members approved a pay request for JH Hassinger related to the wastewater treatment plant tertiary filters and disinfection project and recommended a Clean Water Fund loan request to move the plant work forward. The board also approved purchase quotes for two municipal vehicles, accepted a county roadway shared-services grant, awarded a road reconstruction contract for Ridgeway Drive and Chestnut Court, approved a contract approach to repaint two water towers through USG Water Solutions, and authorized purchase of a replacement emergency generator for the wastewater plant.

Why it matters: several of the actions commit or begin spending that affects the utility replacement fund, project schedules and future maintenance costs. The wastewater items in particular are intended to bring new UV disinfection and tertiary filtration online ahead of the spring disinfection season, and the generator purchase aims to lock in long manufacturing lead times.

Most important actions and context

Wastewater tertiary filters and disinfection: The board approved Pay Request No. 10 to JH Hassinger in the amount of $487,350 to continue work on the wastewater treatment plant tertiary filters and the UV disinfection system. Staff reported that UV equipment has arrived and, weather permitting, crews will begin channel work and equipment installation so the system can be commissioned in advance of spring disinfection requirements.

Clean Water Fund loan request: The board recommended approval of Clean Water Fund Loan Request No. 8 in the amount of $500,449.45 (which includes a $13,099.45 payment to Town and Country Engineering) to help fund the wastewater project. The motion was approved by the board.

Emergency generator: The board approved a quote from Circle Electric to purchase a new generator for the wastewater treatment plant with a base price of $236,909. Staff emphasized long lead times for generators (reported by staff as roughly 11 months) and said the village will return with a separate contract for installation, switch gear and site work.

Water tower asset management and painting: The board approved entering a five‑year asset management/maintenance contract proposal from USG Water Solutions to repaint and maintain the village’s two water towers. Staff presented a multi‑year cost estimate that would allow the utility to repaint the white tower inside and out in year one and include the blue tower under a multi‑year program; the packet estimated approximately $93,245 in year‑one utility cost for the white tower work and inspection fees for the second tower under the contract structure presented.

Road reconstruction award: The board voted to recommend that the Village Board and Budget & Finance approve awarding the Ridgeway Drive and Chestnut Court reconstruction project to Advanced Construction in the amount of $1,636,443.05, including the base bid and alternates recommended in the packet. Staff noted rebidding produced more competitive bids and that several work items to be special assessed (for example, a 4‑inch storm lateral unit price) came in at the lower end of the submitted bids.

Vehicle and equipment purchases: The board approved purchase quotes for a 1‑ton plow/service truck for the streets department and a sewer utility service truck out of replacement funds. The 1‑ton truck purchase was presented with a government pricing option and a local vendor option and was approved at a purchase price of $75,958 (budgeted at $85,000). For the sewer utility service truck, the board approved purchase not to exceed budgeted replacement amounts and allowed departmental staff to finalize details (the discussion included diesel vs. gasoline engine choices and stainless steel body construction). During the sewer truck discussion two members recorded votes against the motion.

Washington County roadway shared‑services grant: The board adopted Resolution 25‑02 to accept funds from the Washington County Roadway Shared Services Grant Program; staff described the village’s grant allocation for line painting, crack filling and inlet repair and noted the village’s allocation this year is smaller than the prior year due to how the county weighted the distribution.

Director’s report and other business: The director of public works reported equipment deliveries, updates on Hickory Lane and other reconstruction projects, progress on a dog‑park project, and ongoing meter changeouts and site work.

Votes at a glance

- Write off sewer/water account 000‑7120‑99 as uncollectible (account balance $450.97): approved (voice vote). Staff explained the account is associated with Pinehurst Apartments unit meters and is not collectible due to bankruptcy. - Pay Request No. 10 — Wastewater tertiary filters/disinfection, JH Hassinger — $487,350: approved (voice vote). - Clean Water Fund Loan Request No. 8 — $500,449.45 (includes $13,099.45 to Town and Country Engineering): recommended/approved by the board (voice vote). - Resolution 25‑02 — Accept Washington County Roadway Shared Services Grant (approx. $17,900 allocation): approved (voice vote). - Purchase — 1‑ton plow/service truck (Streets Department) — $75,958: approved (voice vote). - Purchase — Sewer Utility Service Truck (replacement fund) — quoted total approx. $118,759: approved; motion allowed department staff to finalize specifications; two board members recorded dissent during the vote. - USG Water Solutions — Asset management/painting contract for water towers — board approved entering the program (first‑year cost presented to utility approx. $93,245): approved (voice vote). - Ridgeway Drive and Chestnut Court reconstruction — award to Advanced Construction — $1,636,443.05: recommended to Village Board and Budget & Finance (voice vote). - Emergency generator (wastewater plant) — Circle Electric quote — $236,909 (purchase only; installation and switch gear to be contracted separately): approved (voice vote).

What the board did not decide tonight

- Final installation contracts and switch gear proposals for the generator: staff will return with design/installation proposals once delivery timing is known. - Final engine/fuel decisions for the sewer service truck: the board allowed staff to finalize model and powertrain within the approved budget and requested the department weigh gas vs. diesel lifecycle costs.

Who spoke

Speakers included Public Works Director Bridal (presenting staff reports and project details), board members Mitchell, Engelhardt, Sandebeck, Hollenberger, Heckendorf and Matter, utility staff member Jeff, and contractor representatives referenced in the packet (for example, Shane of Advanced Construction). The meeting also included packet materials mentioning JH Hassinger, USG Water Solutions, Circle Electric and Jackson Truck Body.

Next steps and timing

Staff said the wastewater filter/UV substantial completion is targeted for mid‑April, with UV disinfection in place before May 1 if weather and delivery schedules allow. The village will publish project notices to affected residents for the Ridgeway/Chestnut reconstruction if the Village Board confirms the award. The generator purchase was authorized to lock in current lead times and staff will bring installation and switch‑gear contracts back to the board for approval.

The board’s next regular meeting agenda will include installation proposals, bids for resurfacing work and updates on Hickory Lane and other reconstruction items.