Trappe council reviews three options to replace or rebuild wastewater influent screen; decision deferred

The Trappe Town Council heard a presentation Dec. 4 on three options to address the wastewater influent screen at the town treatment facility and deferred a final decision to the council’s regular meeting later that night. Frank Carman, a Bearing Construction representative, outlined the costs and warranty terms for each option and answered technical questions from staff.

Carman described the first option as a rehabilitation of the existing screen: "Option 1 is to rehab the current screen by removing the screen, having it shipped to Florida to be rebuilt, shipped back and then reinstalled," which would require bypass pumping and carries a one-year mechanical warranty. The town engineer, Jason Lytle, told the council the rebuild option would not require an MDE construction permit. Carman presented two replacement options as alternatives: "Option 2 would be to install a new Parkson screen which would cost $189,451" (Carman said he was unsure of the warranty and would find out) and a third option to install a Raketek XS screen at $145,880; the transcript records the Raketek option as carrying a three-year warranty.

Council members discussed the trade-offs among upfront cost, longer warranty coverage and permitting. Lytle emphasized the permitting difference: the transcript records that "the Town will not need an MDE construction permit if they chose the rebuild option but would need one for the replacement options." The council indicated it would choose among the presented options at the evening meeting and notify Bearing Construction of its direction.