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Council weighs $23,000 vs. $45,000 quotes to clean Wells 4 and 5
Summary
Council members discussed competing bids for cleaning and repairing Wells 4 and 5, comparing a roughly $45,000 full-service option with a roughly $23,000 local quote and debating service levels that would allow pumps to remain online during work.
Council members reviewed two competing proposals to service Wells 4 and 5, with one vendor’s full-service quote near $45,000 and a lower-cost local bidder offering roughly $23,000. Chair (S3) summarized the choices and framed the technical tradeoffs the town must decide.
“The difference is that the additional services would let us have those pumps still online while they’re getting cleaned,” Agency official (S6) said, noting the more expensive option included daily testing to confirm water quality during the process. S6 added that the town currently has Well 6 back online, reducing some urgency but not removing the need to address elevated iron and more frequent filter backwashes for Wells 4 and 5.
Councilors discussed familiarity with the local vendor’s equipment and the town’s history with that contractor. Chair (S3) said the cheaper option may be adequate given existing redundancies: “I think we could honestly get away with the cheaper option,” S6 said, arguing well 6’s recent repairs reduce operational strain.
The council did not finalize an award during the meeting; members asked staff to confirm scope differences, the potential for discoloration if pumps remain online during cleaning, and whether the testing regimen in the higher-priced bid materially reduces operational risk. The item was left for further review and a possible future vote.
