Martinsville board denies contractor change order tied to North Levee fencing

The Martinsville Board of Works and Safety voted to deny a change-order request tied to chain-link fencing at the North Levee, rejecting a contractor’s request for roughly $17,000–$19,257 to cover additional costs.

Board members debated whether the subcontractor or the general contractor, Reed & Sons, was responsible for the shortfall. Staff told the board Reed had submitted a change order before receiving a final price from its fencing subcontractor; the subcontractor later said its cost was higher because of material-price increases and calculation errors.

Members acknowledged that, relative to the overall project, the sum was small but could be meaningful to a small fencing company. One board member said that when a business makes an error in a quote, it should typically ‘eat that’ in its own operations. Other members said they were reluctant to penalize a small local firm and asked staff for the subcontractor’s actual material costs before deciding.

The board’s denial was made by motion and seconded; the motion carried by voice vote. Staff also notified the board of a separate, larger potential claim linked to the project — about $104,000 — which board members said could require further review at a future meeting.

The board’s action denies additional payment on the submitted change order; staff indicated any further claims would be handled through subsequent agenda items or follow-up meetings.