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Board hears progress on Country Meadows pipeline; contractor to submit change order including fittings and tree replacements
Summary
A Commonwealth representative told the Rochester Water Board crews completed a bore under US 31, are preparing taps at Sweet Gum, and will submit a change order that includes 45‑degree fittings ($14,860), fill to prevent freezing (≈$10,296 estimate) and a preliminary $30,000 estimate for four 6–8 ft trees; staff will seek invoices and local quotes before next meeting.
A Commonwealth representative updated the Rochester Water Board on March 2, 2026, saying crews have worked through weather delays and are pushing to complete the Country Meadows segment of a water main project.
"We battled weather again this month a little bit," the Commonwealth representative said, adding that Midwest Mold finished a bore under US 31 and that crews are moving work to Main Street/State Route 25. The representative said an INDOT traffic signal was found during excavation and the main was shifted slightly with no added cost to the project.
Board members discussed near‑term connections and a meter vault planned after pressure testing. The contractor said it may bring a secondary crew to complete hydrant work to meet substantial completion dates while minimizing disruption to the water department's regular duties.
Staff told the board they will request a formal change order for work on the south portion of Country Meadows. Items identified in the meeting included 45‑degree fittings priced at $14,860 to restore the normal alignment after uncovering an extended casing, an estimated $10,296 in fill (priced per cubic yard) to provide proper cover where a water main was found at roughly 13 inches depth, and a quoted linear‑foot price of about $4,939.20 for a 15‑inch reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) to provide storm drainage through a low swale adjacent to the mobile home park.
Commonwealth also reported that Country Meadows requested replacement of four trees with 6–8 foot specimens and a one‑year warranty; the contractor has given a preliminary estimate around $30,000 for those trees. Several board members urged staff to obtain raw invoices for the tree work, request local landscaper quotes, and explore alternatives such as duplicating existing park signage in lieu of planting to reduce cost. The board asked staff and Derek to present options and a recommended change‑order package at the next meeting.
The board did not approve any change order at this meeting; staff said a full, itemized change‑order printout will be delivered to members before the next meeting for review.
