Grosse Ile commission approves $67,600 contract with Kennedy Industries to update lift‑station controls

The Grosse Ile Township Public Service Commission voted to authorize a $67,600 contract with Kennedy Industries to replace level indicators and main computer systems at four of the township's five sanitary sewer lift stations.

Township Manager Derek Thiel said the purchase is a budgeted item and that Kennedy Industries is the sole distributor for the type of pump controls the township uses. "This just ensures that the pumps sense the level in the lift station accurately and ... turn the pumps on as necessary," Thiel said, adding that staff discovered intermittent malfunctions during routine rotations to check stations.

The commission discussed the item as a routine, budgeted maintenance expense; the March budget included $70,000 for replacement of computer systems in several lift stations and the low bid of about $67,600 fit within that appropriation. Commissioner Lenny Pedestros made the motion to authorize the contract; Commissioner Linda Stanko voiced support and the motion passed by voice vote.

Thiel said reliable equipment at the mostly low‑elevation South End lift stations is important to prevent sanitary sewer backups, noting staff visits each station on a rotation but are not on site continuously. The contract covers replacement of level sensors and the main computer systems in four of the five stations; the East River lift station had a control replacement about a year earlier.

The commission recorded the purchase as a budgeted contract award; no additional funding request was made. The item was handled without further conditions.

The commission moved on to a separate, larger sewer rehabilitation project later in the meeting.