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Hillsdale BPU approves equipment replacements, tree‑work and recommends mowing contract to City Council
Summary
At its April 14 meeting the Hillsdale Board of Public Utilities approved multiple capital purchases for water and wastewater plants, amended vegetation‑management contracts and recommended a separate three‑year mowing contract for BPU grounds to City Council; all motions passed unanimously.
The Hillsdale Board of Public Utilities on April 14 approved several routine capital purchases and service contracts intended to maintain water, wastewater and electric operations and recommended a separate mowing contract to the City Council. All motions before the board carried by unanimous voice vote.
David Mackie, BPU Director, summarized financial and operational items and led discussion of procurement recommendations and budget impacts. The board approved March bills totaling $2,209,259.92 and voted to place the February 2026 finance report on file.
The board approved staff recommendations on a set of equipment purchases at the city’s treatment plants. Craig Wickham, OIC of Water and Wastewater, reported the WWTP’s single influent chopper/grinder — the plant’s “channel monster,” installed in 2022 — had reached the end of its useful life and recommended purchase from Detroit Pump / JWC Environmental for $28,604.54; the board awarded the purchase and authorized staff to handle installation. Wickham also said a pair of low‑pressure, high‑volume plant effluent (“pew”) pumps installed during the 2018 plant upgrade are showing extreme wear and cannot be rebuilt; the board approved Burt Process’s proposal for $14,867.60. At the water treatment plant, Wickham reported High Service Pump 2 (installed in 2000) had failed and cannot be rebuilt; the board awarded replacement and installation to Northern Pump & Well for $28,980.00.
On vegetation and right‑of‑way work, Director Mackie said the Electric Department sought to add make‑ready trimming near the Bacon Street train bridge to CHOP of Grand Rapids’ existing contract. The board approved amending CHOP’s contract by $23,998.28; staff noted $71,257 remained in the tree‑trimming budget to cover that work. The board also approved hiring Complete Tree Services to clear about 700 feet of brush and trees behind Kroger Plaza for $21,750, citing the contractor’s power‑line clearance certification and AED/CPR‑trained crews.
Separately, staff recommended the BPU’s portion of a city‑wide 2026–2028 lawn maintenance contract (Type H mowing) be awarded to Finish Line Property Solutions for a three‑year total of $39,377 and recommended that award be forwarded to the City Council; the board approved and will send the recommendation to council.
Mackie noted the board received a thank‑you letter from the Village of Union City for mutual‑aid assistance and that the utility received an RP3 platinum certification and an APPA safety award. Mayor Scott Sessions offered public thanks to the board and staff during the general‑public comment portion of the meeting. The board adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Votes at a glance: approve agenda (unanimous voice vote); approve minutes of March 10, 2026 (unanimous); approve March bills totaling $2,209,259.92 (unanimous); approve and file February 2026 finance report (unanimous); recommend awarding Type H mowing (Finish Line Property Solutions) for $39,377 to City Council (unanimous); award WWTP channel grinder to Detroit Pump / JWC Environmental $28,604.54 (unanimous); award pew pump replacement to Burt Process $14,867.60 (unanimous); award High Service Pump 2 replacement to Northern Pump & Well $28,980.00 (unanimous); amend CHOP contract for Bacon Road bridge trimming $23,998.28 (unanimous); approve Complete Tree Services for Kroger Plaza clearance $21,750 (unanimous).
