Commission delays award for wastewater macerator rebuild; staff to confirm warranty and trade‑in credit

The Groeschel Township Public Service Commission on Oct. 14 reviewed a recommended contract to rebuild the existing EQ-basin macerator — commonly called a “muffin monster” — and agreed to postpone final action until staff confirms warranty terms and whether the vendor will offer a core/trade‑in credit.

The commission was presented a recommendation that the township board award a contract to Solberg Knowles for $59,174.21 to rebuild the macerator; the item was budgeted at roughly $60,000. Township manager Derek Theo read the recommendation and plant operator Ryan Welch explained the options the vendor offered: a “renew” option that rebuilds and reassembles much of the unit, and a fully new wet end with a new hydraulic motor and reducer.

"In my opinion, with option 2... I would recommend option 1," Welch told the commission, explaining that the current motor has low hours because the unit runs only during high‑flow events. Director of public service John Keim described the device as "a grinder" that precedes the EQ basin and stressed the basin cannot be operated without it.

Commission discussion focused on trade‑offs: the renew option includes labor in the vendor quote and keeps the project within the planned budget; the new unit would cost about $15,000 more but would include a new motor (and no vendor labor in that quote because the township would install it). Commissioners asked staff to obtain written warranty terms for both options and to ask the vendor whether the township could receive credit for the old unit.

Commissioners also raised implementation issues: the plant has an on‑site crane suitable for lifting the equipment and staff said installation lead time for either option is about 10–12 weeks. Staff noted the vendor warned that taking the existing unit completely apart could reveal additional required parts and labor, which introduces cost risk to a partial rebuild.

The commission voted to table further action and directed staff to: (1) obtain written warranty terms that specify coverage and duration for the chosen option, (2) ask Solberg Knowles about a core/trade‑in credit for the old unit, and (3) return the item for consideration in November.

The macerator discussion was part of a broader operations briefing. Welch and John Keim updated the commission on other plant items: the influent flow meter was recently installed and is recording about 1 million gallons per day during dry conditions; staff are pursuing an effluent meter replacement (part 141 permitting is in progress); the new screw pumps are operating without issue; and one of the sludge pumps is losing prime and staff expect a WEMCO replacement quote shortly.

On building systems, staff reported an electrical harmonics issue affecting the rooftop HVAC VFDs. An engineering review recommended installing a Century Filter device (roughly $1,400 plus installation) to smooth spikes and protect the rooftop unit; staff will work with the plant contractor (Raines) on procurement and installation timing.

Next steps: staff will gather the warranty documentation and core credit response from Solberg Knowles, obtain the pending WEMCO sludge‑pump quote, continue the effluent‑meter procurement process, and return the macerator item to the commission in November.

Ending — The commission did not authorize a contract at the meeting; it left the planned $60,000 budget figure in place while asking staff for written warranties and trade‑in options to reduce risk before forwarding a formal recommendation to the township board.