Board approves B&W Paving contract to replace plastic water services with copper in District 2

The Board of Selectmen voted to award a contract to B&W Paving and Landscaping LLC to replace plastic residential water service lines with new copper services on roads in District 2.

Julie, representing utilities staff, told the board that crews inspected curb stops in advance of bidding and identified 21 houses that need service replacement and roughly 660 linear feet of copper tubing. "We sent our crew out in advance ... There's 21 houses that need services replaced. We estimate about 660 linear feet of copper tubing that needs to be replaced," Julie said. Staff estimated a not-to-exceed contract amount of $110,000 and noted curb stops currently appear not to need replacement but that could change on excavation.

The board discussed the program's scope and timing, asking how many services remain townwide. Utilities staff said the town has approximately 7,900 services and crews have investigated a couple thousand to date, and that the replacement effort is being coordinated with the Department of Public Works paving schedule to avoid leaving trenches prior to paving. One selectman asked about multiple trenches recently seen on Kingfisher Way; staff said those trenches were not theirs and that they would check 'call before you dig' records and report back.

A member of the board urged following the program broadly to "do it right for 30 years" and to complete replacements before paving. The board then moved, seconded and approved the contract award as presented.

The board did not provide a detailed vote tally on the record; the Chair called for the vote and members responded in favor. Staff said funds for the work will come from line 20531-57881 (plastic water service line replacement). The utilities office and purchasing agent initiated the recommendation to award the contract.

The board asked staff to follow up on any changes found during excavation and to report back on the Kingfisher Way trenches.