Manhattan board approves $8.3 million well project, $365,496 water main, equipment purchase, fireworks contract and hires finance director

The Village of Manhattan Village Board on Jan. 21 voted to award construction contracts for a new Well 7 radium-removal and water treatment facility and for a 12-inch water main extension, approved several equipment and event contracts and authorized hiring a new finance director.

The measures won unanimous roll-call approval from board members Neighbors, Young, Dilling, Beamsterboer and Doyle.

The measures matter because they commit the village to major capital work and near-term operating costs: the well and treatment facility is the largest single item and will require additional construction oversight and continued grant support, while the water-main work will extend service and add system features such as hydrants and valve vaults.

The board approved five formal items during the new-business portion of the meeting:

Votes at a glance

- Well 7 rehabilitation and water treatment facility — Approved. The board awarded the construction contract to Visering Construction Company for $8,315,000. The project includes a new building, radium-reduction systems, a new pump and related site work and demolition of an existing well house. The staff presentation said “almost half” of the project cost is expected to come from grants (amounts and specific grant sources were not specified). Motion mover/second: not specified. Vote: Neighbors — yes; Young — yes; Dilling — yes; Beamsterboer — yes; Doyle — yes.

- Water main extension (Well No. 7 rehabilitation and water treatment project) — Approved. The board awarded a bid to Steve Speese Construction for $365,496 to construct about 1,300 feet of 12-inch water main from Century East Park to a main along Mahatamony Road, with an existing connection along First Street. The scope listed hydrants, water valves and valve vaults, tree removal and tree protection. Eight bids were received, with a low of $365,496 and a high near $612,000. Motion mover/second: not specified. Vote: Neighbors — yes; Young — yes; Dilling — yes; Beamsterboer — yes; Doyle — yes.

- Purchase of commercial lawn mower — Approved. The board authorized purchase of a 2025 Hustler 60-inch zero-turn commercial mower from a local rental/vendor in the amount of $13,509. Staff said the purchase used cooperative pricing (staff described it as Sourcewell pricing) and that the purchase had been previously budgeted. Motion mover/second: not specified. Vote: Beamsterboer — yes; Doyle — yes; Neighbors — yes; Young — yes; Dilling — yes.

- Pyrotechnical Fireworks contract for Labor Day show — Approved. The board authorized execution of an agreement with Pyrotechnical Fireworks for $15,000 for the village’s Labor Day fireworks display. Staff noted the contract amount increased from $10,000 in prior years and said the vendor agreed to add more aerial (“high”) effects after reviewing a video of prior shows. Motion mover/second: not specified. Vote: Doyle — yes; Neighbors — yes; Young — yes; Dilling — yes; Beamsterboer — yes.

- Hire of finance director — Approved. The board authorized hiring Justin Van Vooren, a CPA, at an annual salary of $142,000 plus benefits as finance director for the Village of Manhattan. Staff said numerous candidates applied and described Van Vooren as having 18 years of municipal finance experience. Motion mover/second: not specified. Vote: Neighbors — yes; Young — yes; Dilling — yes; Beamsterboer — yes; Doyle — yes.

Board members used roll-call votes for each item; the clerk recorded unanimous approval on the items above.

Background and next steps

Staff noted the larger Well 7 project will require construction oversight and the village expects grant funding to cover a substantial portion; staff did not provide a detailed grant list or amounts during the meeting. The water-main contract award follows competitive bids. The mower purchase was described as previously budgeted and procured using cooperative pricing. The fireworks authorization sets a higher contract amount than prior years but staff said fundraising typically offsets event costs. The finance director hire will be implemented through standard HR onboarding and benefit enrollment.

Implementation risks and funding clarity

The well project depends on grant funding and contractor scheduling; staff said grant funding covers a significant share but did not specify program names or award dates. The village also mentioned separate roadway and culvert work on Eastern Avenue that is contingent on Metra’s schedule and future budget approvals.