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Council presses contractors as Chipper Jones Park water plant remains offline
Summary
Council members were told the park's water plant may be brought online after contractors ordered a programmable logic controller and a pressure transducer (estimated ~$1,500); staff and the town attorney pressed for contract documents, warranty dates, and documentation of a possible lightning strike.
Council members spent an extended portion of the March 17 meeting on problems at the Chipper Jones Park water plant, where the operator and contractors identified two failed components that have kept the plant from being commissioned.
An agency official reported that contractors told the town the failures include a programmable logic controller (PLC) and a pressure transducer, and that the parts together were estimated at roughly $1,500. "They believe they'll have the plant functioning potentially this week," the official said, adding that the PLC had been ordered and installation was being scheduled.
Council members and the town attorney pressed staff on larger contract and warranty questions. Town attorney Scott Simpson asked for the construction contract, standard terms and conditions, the certificate of substantial completion, the punch list, and other attachments that would show when risk of loss shifted to the town. He said it might be prudent to notify the town's insurer that a potential claim could arise so the carrier could investigate while evidence remained available.
Staff recited a timeline of emails and inspections going back to August 2024, including a final power inspection and multiple attempted start-up dates when equipment proved inoperable. A previous pay request (#9) of $32,000 was noted as paid in April 2025; pay request #10, described as retainage and final work, was quoted at more than $70,000. Council members asked staff to find the contract attachments and bring back documentation to the April 7 meeting when SGS and Mead & Hunt are expected to attend to explain the problems.
Council also discussed whether the operator (CWS) would take responsibility once the plant was commissioned, and whether devices like flow meters, PLCs, and other controls were covered by warranties that began at substantial completion or upon actual service. Staff said they would seek copies of contracts and supporting documents and follow up at the next meeting.
