Councillors here had some questions but were generally pleased when they saw the final bid for the demolition of the current Puslinch Township library.
The county is building a new library on the site of the current building. The information, heritage, and seniors committee reported to council that it had directed staff on July 13 to call for tenders for the demolition and to present the results to council Aug. 12.
Work will include the demolition of the existing building, excavation of the site, including the decommissioning and removal of the old septic bed, and the removal of any rubble and waste, all to be replaced with clean engineered fill.
The committee stated the intent was to have the site ready for construction of a new library, and work was to begin Aug. 16, and done by Sept. 17.
There were two bids. Sittler Environmental Incorporated was the low bid at $44,780. Kieswetter Demolition (1992) Inc. bid $185,075.
Council readily accepted the low bid.
Councillor Rod Finnie, though, had concerns about the disparity between them.
“You can run through $30,000 to $40,000 in clean-up costs very quickly,” he said. “Is this iron clad?”
Treasurer Craig Dyer replied, “We’re very comfortable with the bid we have with Sittler, and that’s what we are expecting it to cost.
Councillor Jean Innes, who sits on the library board, said the board had expected the cost to be around $20,000, and she said the demolition costs were factored into the price of the new library. Council then approved the tender for Sittler.
