Townsend council awards street maintenance bid, hears water updates and spring events.
Author: Rachael Brug, Staff Reporter
Rachael Brug
Staff Reporter
Townsend City Council on March 3 accepted a street maintenance bid, heard updates on water system work and staffing, and began sorting through a timing snag in the city’s new events ordinance as spring and summer activities ramp up.
After approving minutes from the Feb. 17 meeting, council members returned to street maintenance bids first discussed in February. Public Works Director Eric Crusch said staff revisited the Helena-area bid from Montana Materials and Construction and adjusted the comparison by removing skim patching and assuming the city would pick up chip material and handle sweeping.
With those changes, the Helena bid penciled out to about $3.56 per square yard, Crusch said. The competing bid from Hardrives Construction of Billings was $3.60 per square yard, but covered more total square yards — about 25,000 — while still keeping the overall project near the city’s typical $80,000 target for street maintenance.
Council voted to award the work to Hardrives Construction.
Crusch also reported progress on the city’s water system. He said two “pass” bacteria samples were a positive step, though installation work on equipment at the well has been slower than hoped. He also said crews are preparing to pour the floor at the new water tower site and that a generator at Well 3 is now online.
Council discussed ongoing issues with improper dumping in city garbage cans, including bulky items and construction debris. Mayor Vickie Rauser and council members said additional public education — including social media posts explaining what can and cannot go into household containers — could help prevent damage to equipment and higher costs.
Rauser also announced the city has hired two public works employees: Jake Wattenburger, who will start March 16, and Chris Ahern, who will start March 18.
In other business, Rauser said the American Legion plans to install 250th anniversary flags on Front Street this spring after securing a permit through the Montana Department of Transportation, with removal planned by year’s end.
Rauser also said the Townsend Lions Club requested use of Heritage Park for an Easter egg hunt, but the city’s new events ordinance requires a 90-day application — a requirement that took effect after the ordinance was adopted, leaving no transition period. Rauser said the Lions Club will attend the next meeting and the council may be asked to waive requirements for this year.
The council approved claims and adjourned.
