Silver Creek supervisors approve additional chipseal work despite staff caution about overage risk

The Silver Creek Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously June 26 to approve additional chipseal work, authorizing an Allied contract add-on and a separate intercity add-on despite maintenance staff advising the intercity segment carries the highest risk of cost overrun.

Maintenance staff summarized Allied’s bid for a 4-mile chipseal loop and an option to add 20% to the contract to include additional segments, including 156th Street north of the freeway. Staff said the 20% add-on for 156th Street would be approximately $14,693 and that the township’s total quoted road projects would be about $605,349 if all items proceed.

Staff cautioned that township contracts are priced so the township pays for materials actually used rather than a fixed sum, and that final costs can vary from engineer estimates. Water for the 150th and intercity projects was estimated to add roughly $3,000. Maintenance estimated maximum overages for the two additional projects at about $35,000, or about $40,000 including water. Maintenance recommended not adding the intercity Silver Creek segment because it presented the highest overage risk.

The board moved to approve both additional projects; Vice Chairman Geyen made the motion and Supervisor Nelson seconded. The motion carried 5-0. Minutes record that the township previously decided about four years ago to have maintenance monitor construction rather than hire an external engineer; the minutes note the township can choose to hire an engineer if it prefers.

With the contract add-on, Allied was scheduled to begin work Monday, June 29, per the minutes. The board did not specify additional budget amendments in the minutes; recorded figures are estimates and the minutes state that final costs depend on actual material use.