Allegany County Public Works approves $88,800 geotechnical contract with Terracon for Friendship site

ALLEGANY COUNTY — The Allegany County Department of Public Works on Oct. 12 approved a lump-sum agreement of $88,800 with Terracon to perform geotechnical engineering services at 6130 County Route 20 in Friendship, the department announced during a brief special meeting.

Dwight Fenton, chair of the Department of Public Works, said the contract covers geotechnical borings and soil testing for three project components: a proposed water treatment plant, a public works building and a water tank site. "All of they're gonna do all the geotechnical engineering services," Fenton said, describing the scope of work.

The department presented the agreement as a preparation step for a resolution that would authorize the chairman of the board to sign the contract. Fenton told the meeting the term runs from the date the parties sign the agreement until project completion and that the contract is "subject to review and approval by the county attorney." He said the county solicited two other companies but Terracon was the only firm able to perform the work on the department's required timetable.

A board member asked where Terracon is based; Fenton said the proposal lists the company in Rochester and that its price was within the department's normal cost range. The work will include taking soil samples and performing testing and borings "at one point in time," Fenton added.

The motion to authorize the agreement was made and seconded, and the board approved it by voice vote. Six members were recorded as present for the special meeting; the recorded outcome was approval.

The department did not specify funding sources for the contract during the meeting, nor did it provide a detailed project schedule. The agreement will proceed to county attorney review before execution.

The meeting adjourned after the vote.