Council approves change order after contractor finds shallow curb on Windsor Avenue sidewalk project

At the start of its Oct. 7 work session, the Narberth Borough Council unanimously approved a change order to a sidewalk restoration project after contractors discovered that existing curb sections were too shallow to support a new sidewalk core.

A council member moved to approve the change order to replace additional curb adjacent to sections already scheduled for sidewalk replacement; another member seconded the motion. Staff explained the contractor had excavated a section where only the sidewalk — not the adjoining curb — had been scoped for replacement. During excavation the contractor found the curb was too shallow to anchor the new sidewalk; staff said that to provide structural stability they must remove and replace approximately 100 feet of the curb in two sections along Haverford Avenue.

Jeff (public works staff) described the condition: "When the sidewalk was excavated ... the curve was too shallow to support the new core of the new sidewalk," and said the contractor has provided an estimate to include the additional curb work. Council members asked whether the project had a contingency line; staff said the standard road‑program projects typically include contingencies, but this smaller sidewalk project did not.

The council voted to approve the change order; the meeting record indicates the vote was unanimous. Staff said approval will allow the contractor to proceed and complete the sidewalk program in the affected section.

The council did not specify the dollar amount of the change order in the work‑session discussion; staff indicated the contractor would submit an estimate and proceed once council approval was recorded.