Water main replacement project winding down

A mere 11 blocks of water mains remain to be replaced in New Rockford. Wade Senger of Interstate Engineering reported to the city commission Tuesday that a few blocks on the west end of each Second, Third and Fourth Avenue North are left. LD Concrete will return at the end of the month to finish their work and should be winding down by the October meeting. Paving will follow in early to mid October.

The commission approved the final payment to Classic Protective Coatings for the water tower rehabilitation, a total of $21,639.62. They authorized Commission President Stu Richter to sign the final closeout paperwork for that phase of the project.

As for the water treatment plant upgrades, Senger received an acceptance letter from USDA for the bid from Sentry Crane. The contract is ready to be signed, and a pre-construction meeting will likely occur within 30 days. The plan is to pour the concrete and set precast walls for the addition yet this fall, then move indoors over the winter months.

Christopher Beggs of NDDOT was also present via teleconference, and he addressed the commissioners about some concerns they had about the Hwy. 281 paving project. The primary concern is the crosswalk light pole on the east side of the highway at First Avenue North. The pole was hit by a semi and knocked down, as it is too close to the street. Beggs proposed to move the pole to the south side of the sidewalk to keep it out of the way of vehicles.

Local officials identified drainage issues by James River Dentistry and Bison Lodge on the west side of the highway. “Water stands for at least a day after a rain,” Commissioner Jim Belquist stated.

Soil erosion has exposed rocks in the ditches as well. Beggs said he will ask the contractor to remove the bigger rocks and re landscape. The project specs state that rocks 4 inches or larger in diameter are the contractor’s responsibility to remove.

They will also regrade the dip on First Street South where the pavement ends. Water pools there after it rains and erodes away the gravel surface.

No members of the public were present to express concerns about the 2021 budget, so it was approved as presented.

Public Works Superintendent Bruce Hirchert did some research on replacing water mains under two blocks south of the BNSF railroad tracks that got missed in the project’s original scope. Hirchert proposed a contract with Naastad Bros. to complete the work next year while the company is in town for dirt work at the water treatment plant. The project involves replacing 786 feet of water main, nine service connections, two values and one hydrant. The cost of pipe is going up due to a resin shortage caused by hurricanes in the Gulf Coast. The commission approved for Hirchert to purchase approximately $4,000 worth of pipe now to have in place for next year. With the price expected to rise from $4.53 to $10 per foot, waiting could have cost them double.

Hirchert’s staff has also been busy removing catch basins where valley gutters will be installed. which normally help drain away melting snow, floods, stormwater and heavy rains. By using local labor, the city is saving $880 per catch basin. They have done eight, and have eight to go.

The commission approved five building permits, three local gaming permits, one housing incentive application and one Renaissance Zone application.

Two local businesses applied for Main Street Improvement funds through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Public hearings for both projects were held in late August, and the projects were slated for approval by the commission Tuesday. Rockford Plumbing and Heating has requested $21,701.50 for their Central Avenue property, and ATP Properties submitted a $69,713.00 proposal for the building occupied by Peterson Law Offices, P.C., also on Central Avenue. Both applications were approved, and they will now be forwarded to the state for final approval.

The next regular commission meeting is set for Monday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m.