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Board approves up to $132,840 change order to remove rock at Schroeder Park playground
Summary
The Manchester Board of Aldermen unanimously approved Resolution No. 26-1042 to extend the project schedule by three weeks and increase Integra, Inc.'s base bid by up to $132,840 for breaking and removing rock at Schroeder Park; funding will come from Fund 60 and some city projects were deferred.
The Manchester Board of Aldermen on Jan. 5 approved a change order allowing the city to pay up to $132,840 to Integra, Inc. to break and remove rock discovered during excavation for the Schroeder Park playground, and extended the time for completion by three weeks.
Director Kat Schien told the board that borings showed significant rock and that early excavation estimates were high. "Initially, significant rock was found, leading to a high estimated cost of approximately $250,000 for excavation. After further evaluation, this estimate was revised down to about $132,000 and later to around $110,000, depending on additional calculations," Schien said in the report to the board. She cautioned the final cost depends on the number of truck loads removed but that the change order will not exceed the authorized sum.
Alderman Dodge voiced surprise that the design team had not warned the board of the potential expense. Director Schien and Director Shawn Sieve explained that geotechnical borings do not always show full rock depth and that the unexpected rock levels had required design changes. Sieve said funding for the additional work will come from Fund 60, which is projected to have a balance of about $4.5 million at the end of 2026 (potentially $4.3–$4.4 million after planned spending), and that some other projects have been pushed back to cover costs.
The staff also warned of related risks: additional excavation for sewer piping, re-trenching high-voltage lines and relocating fiber optic lines (with fiber relocation estimated at $10,000–$15,000), and outstanding site furnishings due to prior bids not meeting expectations.
Alderman Toben made the motion to approve Resolution No. 26-1042; Alderwoman Huether seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
The resolution authorizes a three-week time extension and an increase to the contractor's base bid not to exceed $132,840 for rock breaking and removal. Construction is ongoing; city staff said they will monitor quantities closely and that the final bill will reflect actual loads removed.
