Lemont awards $351,060 lead service‑line replacement contract for phase 1; village to use IEPA 0% loan

The Village of Lemont on April 28 approved a contract award for phase 1 of its lead service‑line replacement program, accepting a $351,060 bid from IHC Construction to replace 35 identified lead service lines.

Staff said three bids were received for the 35‑line package; one bidder was disqualified for missing documentation required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) loan process. The accepted bid from IHC Construction was $119,214 under the engineer’s estimate, according to staff presentation.

Why it matters: replacing lead service lines reduces residents’ exposure to lead in drinking water but requires capital outlay. The village plans to finance the work through the IEPA state revolving fund, a 30‑year loan at 0% interest; trustees and staff stressed the loan must be repaid from the village’s water and sewer fund, which can affect future rates.

Key details reported at the meeting - Project scope (phase 1): replacement of 35 service lines identified in the village’s survey and planning process. - Contract award: IHC Construction, $351,060; staff recommended the award after review of bids and disqualification of one bidder for incomplete IEPA documentation. - Financing: IEPA state revolving fund loan (30 years at 0% interest). Staff emphasized the loan is not a grant and must be repaid from water/sewer revenues. - Estimated total lead lines in village: staff estimated roughly 200 lines remain to be identified and replaced across multiple phases. - Per‑house cost: staff estimated roughly $10,000 per line for this phase; staff compared the price to other municipalities that reported per‑line costs ranging from about $12,400 (Joliet example) to higher figures mentioned elsewhere. - Future phases: staff indicated identification for Phase 2 was underway and that Phase 2 would likely include about 26 lines.

Discussion highlights Staff and trustees discussed that the program has been years in preparation, with coordination of residents and engineering consultant H.R. Green and that project management and bidding required substantial staff time. The mayor said the work amounts to “another unfunded mandate that lies in our lap. We have to pay for it,” and staff reiterated the village will repay the IEPA loan from future water and sewer revenues rather than receiving federal grant funds.

Vote and implementation The board approved Resolution R‑30‑25 to award the contract to IHC Construction (motion by Trustee McClafferty, seconded by Trustee Kitridge). Roll call recorded five yes votes and one absence (Trustee Maher absent).

Next steps include contract execution, scheduling with the contractor and continuing the identification process for additional lines to include in later phases.

Speakers (selected): - Mayor (not specified), presiding officer - Trustee McClafferty, trustee (mover) - Trustee Kitridge, trustee (seconder) - Ralph (Chief/staff member), presented bid and project details - Brian Wojciechowski (staff member), recognized by staff for project coordination

Authorities: Resolution R‑30‑25 (award of contract for lead water service line replacement, phase 1) was the formal action approving the contract award.

Provenance: See transcript excerpts for the start and end of the lead replacement discussion.

Clarifying details: staff reported 3 bids with one disqualified; accepted bid $351,060; 35 lines in phase 1; IEPA loan 30 years at 0% interest; estimated ~200 total lines in village; per‑house cost for this phase ~ $10,000.