The winning tender for the Deer Pit stormwater management project came in almost $350,000 higher than the original budget for the work, but council has decided to proceed with some cost saving changes.
The winning tender was from Brantford Engineering and Construction for $1.55-million, with the four others all fairly close (the highest was from Nellis Construction for $1.62-million).
However, the town had budgeted just $1.21-million for the project, with $806,666 coming from an Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF) grant and $403,334 from the hydro proceeds reserves.
Triton Engineering’s Paul Ziegler, who reviewed the tenders, told council, “There are various options to reduce the cost” of the tender.
He suggested deferring $80,500 worth of landscaping until next year, as well as removing an inlet channel, which would save $91,800.
Ziegler also noted the tender includes an allowance of $75,000 for contingencies, all of which might not be used, and $74,125 for GST, for which the town receives a refund.
Erin council unanimously approved the tender with the changes recommended by Ziegler. Councillor John Brennan was absent.
