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Eastham wastewater project bids come in well under earlier estimates; SRF application submitted
Summary
Officials told the Eastham Finance Committee June 25 that multiple bids for the town’s wastewater collection and plant work came in far below engineer estimates — producing an approximate $23–27 million reduction against prior projections — and that the town has submitted SRF paperwork seeking favorable financing terms.
Members of Eastham’s finance and capital project committees reported a major update on the town’s wastewater capital program at the June 25 meeting: multiple construction contracts for the collection system and treatment plant were awarded at bids substantially below earlier cost estimates, creating an estimated $23–27 million positive variance against previous budget figures.
Presenters said the town secured groundwater permits and that consultant/designer agreements and owner’s project manager contracts were nearing final execution; once those consultant agreements are in place, the general construction contract will be executed as permitted by the state funding requirements. Several collection contracts — including awards to a contractor identified in the meeting as Dig It for much of the collection work — came in significantly below the engineer’s earlier estimates, officials said.
The town reported filing State Revolving Fund (SRF) paperwork seeking 0% interest terms and that required documentation was signed and submitted. Officials said SRF asked for a fully bid project set, which the town provided; they noted they have asked for an extension on some application pieces and are pressing for timely SRF review. Engineers present estimated mobilization and visible construction activity could begin in the fall, pending SRF approvals and final contract execution.
Committee members also discussed scope adjustments that helped lower the bid totals: the salt‑shed component was removed from the general contract and will be completed by the DPW, and the town adopted an RPR (resident project representative) who will monitor daily on‑site work and document change orders.
Officials cautioned that change orders and professional‑service fees remain encumbered and that the project still carries implementation risk, but the current bid position gives the town a larger buffer against cost overruns. The committee also discussed related ballot items: two November articles would repurpose roughly $600,000 from the Community Preservation Act funds toward the wastewater infrastructure investment fund; those articles will go to the ballot for voter consideration.
