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Wachapreague advances sewer Phase II planning, accepts engineering firm; contract signing disputes remain
Summary
Council updates show steady progress on Phase II sewer logistics, selection of Weston & Sampson Engineers for a floodplain grant, and lingering disputes after a rescinded Letter of Intent and a rebid process for the Phase II contract.
The Wachapreague Town Council recorded progress on sewer Phase II and related infrastructure projects at its Nov. 13 meeting while also documenting ongoing disputes over contract authority and signing.
Assistant Arthur Mendez updated the council on Phase II logistics, saying some property owners have opted out and that pumps now in town will be used where properties can tie into the existing collection system. Mendez explained the Brooklyn Avenue collection line was installed to serve commercial properties on the east side of Brooklyn Avenue, the waterfront and Main Street, enabling those commercial properties to tie in using grant funds.
Councilman Bob Bilicki clarified that two of the Phase II grants are not income-restricted and that a third grant is designated for low- and mid-income households. Bilicki and several residents described a sequence of events in which the council had previously voted (Sept. 11) to award the Phase II contract to Maynard Inc., but complications followed when the mayor rescinded a Letter of Intent and later declined to sign finalized documents, delaying project timelines and prompting a rebid process documented in the petition appended to the minutes.
The minutes record that Grizzly, a bidder on the project, declined to participate in the rebid, citing concerns about the mayor's professional conduct. According to the petition and statements entered in the minutes, rebidding produced one on‑time submission and one late submission; the council reaffirmed its decision to award the contract to Maynard Inc. during an emergency meeting, after which the mayor initially signed and then rescinded his signature, prompting council members and staff to finalize the award without his participation.
On a separate but related infrastructure item, the council accepted the proposal from Weston and Sampson Engineers to perform work under the CFPF (floodplain) grant. The minutes record votes in favor from Vice Mayor Sandie Puchalski, Councilman Bob Bilicki, Councilman Craig Baker and Councilman Glenn Schagelin; the minutes do not mark votes for the other council members.
Funding notes in the minutes include a $6,000 deposit to the town from a VA Energy grant intended to procure a portable trailer and generator to assist residents with medical needs during emergencies. The council also approved a $1,000 budget to repair marina pilings and cross boards; minutes estimate the repair cost at about $800.
The record also documents infrastructure planning items including South Ditch maintenance and a planned Army Corps of Engineers permit application for tidal-ditch work, Historic District plan progress, and continued coordination with county drainage staff. Council members asked staff and consultants to move toward contracting and permitting while the town attorney researches legal questions related to mayoral authority and contract execution.
The minutes make clear that the technical and funding pieces for Phase II and related resilience work are advancing, but that local governance and signing disputes have caused delays the council will need to manage as grants and bids proceed.
