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Contractor proposes citywide hydrant maintenance; council flags budget limits
Summary
A private contractor outlined an annual hydrant maintenance program charging $350 per hydrant; council members said hydrant upkeep is important for ISO ratings but noted the city lacks budget this fiscal year and will discuss the proposal during next year's budget process.
Jeff Harkness, owner of a private hydrant-maintenance business, visited the Milford City Council on Aug. 19 to describe a program for inspecting, testing and servicing the city's fire hydrants. Harkness said his service includes exercising valves, clearing buried valve boxes and performing flow/pressure testing. "I charge $350 per hydrant," Harkness said, adding the charge allows roughly an hour of work per hydrant and includes testing devices to measure gallons per minute and pressure.
The council and volunteer fire department described existing ad hoc checks performed by city crew and volunteers but said the city's hydrants have caused problems during ISO inspections and at least one recent structure fire. Mayor Davis said Milford's crew and volunteers run hydrant drills and inspect hydrants but acknowledged that some hydrants have been difficult to operate: "Two of the five fire hydrants that they randomly chose to test, two of them just...we couldn't get the caps off," the mayor said.
Council members and staff pressed on cost and scope. Council members estimated a full program for the city would run roughly $60,000 to $70,000, based on Harkness's $350 per-unit price and the number of hydrants discussed. Harkness said replacement of a single hydrant can cost about $15,000. He proposed alternatives, including rotating inspections so some hydrants are serviced each year on a three-year cycle.
Councilors agreed the item needs more study, including discussion with Chief Whitney of the volunteer fire department and Superintendent Stewart of public works. No formal action or contract was approved; the council said the issue will be considered during next budget season and that department heads should advise whether a paid contract is needed in addition to current city maintenance and volunteer checks.
Harkness also described brands and field reliability. He recommended Mueller and Wautress hydrants as "tried and true," and warned the council about models whose internal retaining hardware can loosen over time and complicate operations. Council members and the mayor said they will evaluate the recommendation as they plan hydrant replacement and maintenance budgets.
The council did not adopt or reject a contract during the meeting; members directed staff to carry the discussion into budget planning and to consult with the volunteer fire chief and public works superintendent before any procurement.
Ending
Council members said they will revisit hydrant maintenance in budget discussions starting this winter; no procurement was authorized at the Aug. 19 meeting.
