Woodruff board approves road project award, includes chip oil and double chip-seal alternates

The Woodruff Town Board voted to award the base bid for a town road resurfacing project and to accept Alternate 1 and Alternate 2 after favorable bid results were reported.

Board members discussed that Alternate 1 substitutes a higher‑quality chip oil (emulsified asphalt) that penetrates deeper into cracks and helps rejuvenate existing pavement; Alternate 2 would place a double chip seal on 300 South between 100 West and the 200 block and is intended for specific segments such as Allingford's Lane. A board member moved to approve Alternates 1 and 2; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor.

Why it matters: the bids came in well under earlier estimates (one bidder consolidated pricing and was roughly $100,000 less than another), creating room for the town to expand the work. Officials said they can increase quantities by up to 25% without a contract modification and can add additional work via change orders if needed. The board said it will hold a pre-construction meeting with the contractor to finalize scope and discuss adding culverts and other work where necessary.

Details and next steps: town staff said they will set a pre-construction meeting with the contractor and consider widening sections, adding culverts near known problem spots and increasing quantities by about 25 percent. Board members discussed uncertainty about grant match requirements; some members recalled different accounts from earlier meetings about whether the town must contribute a $125,000 match or if later action converted it into a full grant. Town staff said they will review the signed grant contract and clarify match requirements before finalizing expenditures.

Bidders named in the meeting record included Associated (listed as winning/low bidder), Anderson and Staker/Parsons. Town staff recommended awarding the contract to the low, consolidated bidder and then refining scope in the pre-construction meeting.