Dundee village accepts $1.5 million bid

DUNDEE--The Dundee village board accepted the $1,498,250 bid of Fineline Pipeline, Inc. of Livonia, New York for the water main project scheduled to begin this summer in the village. The board reviewed a total of three bids. Fineline underbid the competition by nearly half a million dollars.
At the board meeting Tuesday, May 9, Dundee Village Mayor Fred Cratsley Jr. said Fineline's labor costs were lower on a large number of line items. He said he checked Fineline's work record with other jurisdiction and they received good reviews.
Two "additive bids" for work not included in the main Request for Proposals (RFP) includes $59,150 for work on Vine Street and $123,300 for work on Bigelow. These two projects were not part of the main RFP because historically, these areas had not experienced as many water main breaks as other parts of the village.
The board also agreed to use only Kennedy PVC pipe for the project. Kennedy products have been used by the village for many years for repairs. Cratsley said using this brand will cut maintenance costs associated with spare parts and tools for working with the material.
Much of the existent 80-year-old water main is made of steel. Using steel for this project would have significantly raised costs and would not have received approval from the state unless it had been necessary for a large diameter pipe or one under a high level of water pressure, reported Cratsley.
In other business, Our Town RoCKS director Caryl Sutterby announced a downtown beautification project is underway. She asked business owners to sweep the sidewalks and display flowers. "We are just doing things to make it look nice," said Sutterby.
The mayor reported on his participation in the first meeting of the state mandated shared services project. He volunteered to be on the sub-committee that explores costs savings on health insurance. The mayor expressed his displeasure with the fact that only town mayors and supervisors participate on the panel rather than having the entire Dundee board involved. The mayor said he will consult with his board as the process unfolds. He noted Dundee and Starkey already share many services.
Funds for the handicap swing in Millard Park are still needed. Donations are being collected by the Dundee Village Clerk, 12 Union St, Dundee, NY 14837.
The next meeting of the board will be Tuesday, June 13 at 7 p.m.