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Orono approves water-plant valves purchase after oversight discovery
Summary
Council approved a staff-requested purchase of filter valves and actuators for the South Water Plant after staff said those components were missed in earlier contract approvals; the motion cited $67,880 from Quality Flow Systems Inc. and council confirmed the funding will come from water funds.
The Orono City Council approved the purchase of filter valves and actuators for the South Water Plant after staff revealed the components had been unintentionally omitted from earlier contract approvals.
Councilmember Benson recounted project history: a design engagement in January and bids approved in November that included labor and installation, but the valves and actuators themselves were later identified as items the city needed to provide. Public-works staff (Mr. Bowman) acknowledged the oversight: “They got missed,” he said, adding that purchasing the components directly from the vendor would avoid contract markups and still save money overall.
Council discussed funding and contingency: the staff confirmed the purchase would come from water funds and that contingency for the CIP would be used since the project was already above initial estimates. The motion presented and approved in the meeting cited a purchase amount of $67,880 and Quality Flow Systems Inc. as the vendor.
Why it matters: the components are critical to the filter assembly’s operation and were described as key to the upgrade; staff said buying the parts directly reduces extra contractor markup.
What’s next: staff will proceed with the vendor purchase and adjust the project accounting to reflect the procurement from water funds.
