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Council approves $55,520 ramp repairs and buys $65,000 vacuum excavator
Summary
Bethany Beach council approved a $55,520 change order for ramp repairs after crews discovered rotted pilings and undersized 4x4 supports, and separately approved purchase of a Vermeer vacuum‑excavation unit for about $65,000 to aid precise utility and leak repairs.
The Bethany Beach Town Council approved two infrastructure items: a $55,520 change order to repair boardwalk ramps and a roughly $65,000 purchase of a Vermeer vacuum‑excavation unit for public-works use.
Town Manager Cliff Gravier described the ramp change order after contractors deconstructed existing ramps and found rotted pilings and undersized 4x4 support posts. ‘‘If you look at those cross beams, those cross beams are massive. And the 4x4s in no way, shape, or form could really support them,’’ Gravier said, explaining the recommendation to replace the 4x4s with 6x6 posts and to apply epoxy piling repairs. The change order allocates approximately $19,000 for epoxy piling repairs and about $29,000 to replace undersized posts.
Separately, public works and the water department requested purchase of a Vermeer vacuum‑excavation machine to allow non-destructive, water‑assisted excavation around buried utilities. Staff said the unit can operate for an entire shift before refilling and can reduce the risk of cutting utility cables or pipes during emergency leak repairs. The purchase was presented as a means to reduce contractor calls and mitigate damage risk.
Both measures were approved by voice vote. Councilors and staff said they expect further deconstruction work and potential additional change orders as ramp repairs continue.
