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Norwich trustees approve $11.175 million Station 84 financing; decline $50,000 partial settlement over $303,000 change order
Summary
Norwich Township approved bond financing and an $11.175 million construction contract for new Fire Station 84, but later rejected an initial $50,000 settlement offer from the project architect and engineer after a $303,000 civil-plan-related change order surfaced. Trustees say they will pursue further remedies.
Trustees voted to borrow up to $11,175,000 to finance construction of a new Norwich Township Fire Station 84 and authorized entering into a construction agreement with Elford Construction for a not-to-exceed $11,175,000 price, pending legal review. The Board chose a borrowing structure with a 10‑year option and a five‑year call that advisers estimated would produce a roughly 4.10% interest rate, and created a capital-project fund to receive loan proceeds.
The financing measure and contract authorization followed presentations by Bradley Payne and Taft Law on March 20, 2024, and formal bond action in April (motions #240320.01 and #240409.18). Finance staff later noted that short-term interest earnings during construction could offset some carrying costs.
Months into construction, trustees were presented with Bulletin #1, a civil-plan-related change order that increased the project cost by roughly $303,000. App Architecture (the project architect) and Choice One Engineering (civil engineer) acknowledged a communication and submission breakdown on the civil plans; Choice One offered $50,000 toward the change order as an initial settlement cap, citing their internal insurance/deductible limits. The Board declined that offer and directed staff and counsel to pursue further options, citing the size of the additional cost and the fact that the funds are taxpayer‑funded capital for an essential public service. Trustees cited a six‑month lapse in required resubmittal communications as central to the dispute and asked Township counsel to meet with firm representatives and review legal remedies.
The Board also approved a memorandum of understanding with the City of Hilliard to construct a turning lane on Cosgray Road to serve the new station, and received confirmation that civil plans received final approval shortly thereafter, enabling site work to begin. Trustees said the priority is completing Station 84 with minimal delay while preserving the Township’s contractual and legal rights.
Provenance: Discussion of financing and Elford contract begins March 20, 2024 (SEG 015) and bond action is recorded April 9, 2024 (SEG 022); the change-order dispute and trustees’ rejection of the $50,000 offer are recorded Aug. 29–Sept. 3, 2024 (SEG 048–053).
