Chelsea council approves $50,975 bid for water tower inspection and repairs

Water Superintendent Davis told the Chelsea City Council on May 15 that the municipal water tower is due for both internal and external inspection and that repairs to piping and an expansion joint should be completed while the tank is offline. Davis said there are a limited number of firms that perform the work and reviewed line-item quotes from Dixon Engineering and contractors.

The council heard the following itemized costs presented by staff: Dixon Engineering inspection services $5,425; Dixon Engineering welding and coatings inspection $7,950; contractor mud valve $5,800; expansion coupling $11,400; welding for fill/draw pipe $5,400. Davis also presented a Dixon Engineering mixer cost, including installation, of $15,000 and noted an Environmental Sales mixer price (without installation) of $13,283.80. Based on that presentation council moved and approved accepting Dixon Engineering’s bid for a total of $50,975.

Council Member Peter Feeney made the motion to accept the Dixon Engineering bid; Kate Mehuron seconded. The motion passed with all ayes. The minutes record the acceptance of the Dixon Engineering bid and associated dollar total but do not specify contractor start dates or a project schedule.

The city included a recommendation to replace the mixer while the tank is down but the council’s motion authorized the Dixon Engineering bid as presented; timing and whether the mixer will be installed under that contract were not specified in the minutes. The council did not identify additional funding sources in the record.