BET approves $700,000 interim appropriation for Nathaniel Witherell plumbing and drainage work

The Board of Estimate and Taxation unanimously approved an additional appropriation of $700,000 (NW3) to address an expanded scope of plumbing and drainage work at Nathaniel Witherell. The budget committee recommended the appropriation after contractors discovered extensive corrosion, seized valves and structural access issues that were not included in the original estimate.

At the meeting, Miss Erickson summarized the budget committee review and said the committee voted 4'0'00 in favor. Representatives from Nathaniel Witherell explained that original piping installed in 1976 had exceeded its service life, that access to stacks required removal of masonry chase, and that approximately 131 valves had to be replaced during off-hours, contributing roughly $143,783 of additional cost. The project team named contractors and consultants involved in the work, including FNF Mechanical (plumbing), B2R (engineers) and Livingston Builders (construction).

Board members asked about procurement and whether the same vendors would be used for both the earlier galvanized pipe replacement and the sewer replacement. Presenters said the work has proceeded in phases, vendors were engaged across phases and the budget committee judged the $700,000 interim appropriation a conservative estimate to complete the work. The clerk then conducted a roll call and the appropriation passed unanimously.

The appropriation was recorded as an interim funding action; presenters said the work had already commenced and that some of the additional costs were driven by unforeseen field conditions rather than scope changes initiated by the town. No specific contract amendments or change-order documents were read into the record during the meeting.