Walkersville approves $453,432 contract for Green Street storm-drain lining and road overlay

Town staff presented the results of a Sept. 5 bid opening for the Green Street storm-drain lining and roadway overlay project, which covers trenchless lining of an existing elliptical corrugated metal storm drain (approximately 34" x 53" and 530 linear feet), roadway patch and overlay (about 1,190 square yards), and related curb-and-gutter repairs.

Staff reported four bidders and recommended awarding the contract to the low bidder, Wasler and Sons, at $453,432. The public-works presentation noted Wasler and Sons previously completed Maple Avenue and Deerfield repairs and that subcontractors commonly perform the pipelining work. One commissioner asked whether a higher-priced bidder that does its own pipelining posed elevated risk for the town; staff said subcontracting is common and that the bidders share similar subcontractors, adding that "there's no risk" from the small price difference.

A commissioner asked whether bidders provided multi-decade guarantees; staff said warranty information "was not provided" in the bid materials and the question would need to be asked directly of the contractor or reviewed in contract documents.

A motion to approve the staff recommendation to award the contract to Wasler and Sons was made and seconded; the clerk recorded the motion as approved by a 3-to-1 voice vote. The board directed staff to finalize contract paperwork and return with any required bond, insurance and warranty details for the executed contract.