Glendale delays chip-seal contract; asks staff for bids and road measurements

Glendale officials discussed chip-seal resurfacing for up to two miles of town streets at the July 17 meeting and decided not to award a contract until staff obtains additional information.

Public works staff reported the town received two bids, one priced for a 40-foot width and one for a 24-foot width. Staff recommended the narrower 24-foot option aligns better with most town roads and suggested prioritizing the bus route. The board discussed cracking and pothole risks and heard a contractor recommendation that crack sealing be performed before chip sealing.

Why it matters: Chip sealing is the town’s primary pavement preservation option this season; contractors and staff cautioned that insufficient crack sealing can lead to premature failure of a new chip-seal surface, which would increase future costs.

Key points from the discussion: - Two bids were presented: one quoted for 40-foot-wide work and one for 24-foot-wide work. Staff said most local roads are about 24 feet wide and recommended that width for the planned two miles. - Staff said the bid prices are valid through Oct. 1; the state’s practical chip-seal season typically ends around Sept. 15, so scheduling was flagged as time-sensitive. - Contractors on the call advised completing crack sealing before chip sealing; the board asked staff to obtain separate crack-seal bids (Boyd was suggested as a local crack-seal contractor). - The board discussed budgeting; staff noted approximately $108,007 in a road fund and $106,864 in the general fund and said pulling $10,000 from the general fund would help pay for the work if needed (figures were reported by staff during the meeting). - The board directed staff to measure the roads (GPS was suggested) and return with exact mileage and prioritized segments, with the bus route first.

Board direction: The board tabled a final decision and instructed staff to obtain additional crack-seal and chip-seal bids, measure actual road mileage, and provide a recommended scope and timeline at the next meeting. A special meeting was mentioned as an option if contractors provide a time-sensitive schedule.

Quotes: "So if we go up to 24 foot...everything's about 24," Kelly said, arguing that a 24-foot width matched most town streets. "We would recommend that you do some crack seal," another meeting participant said, recommending crack sealing before chip sealing.

Next steps: Staff will collect crack-seal bids, measure the bus route and other candidate streets, and return with updated cost estimates and scheduling information for the board to approve.