OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Current estimates for sewer, wastewater and road projects have tallied higher than the $5.3 million approved by voters in 2008.
Representatives from the Wright Pierce engineering firm gave the town council an update Tuesday night on the bond project, including current estimates, which totaled about $5,624,000.
Some of the work, including a culvert on Ross Road and sewer work on Ocean and Seaview Avenues, is nearly complete.
Council Chairwoman Sharri MacDonald said she was concerned about the overage.
“I’m just worried about where we’re going to come up with the money,” said MacDonald.
The sewer project at Ocean and Seaview Roads is currently estimated to cost $500,000 more than originally budgeted, at $1,362,000.
Public Works Director Mary Ann Conroy said that additional costs came from roads that needed more rebuilding than expected.
One project, a plan to redesign the roundabout at the intersection of Saco Avenue and Ocean Park Road, was voted down by the council earlier this year. The project had been estimated to cost the town about $200,000 and the town had paid about $105,000 on preliminary work on the project. This leaves a $95,000 balance.
Councilor Michael Tousignant said he didn’t think this money could be used for other projects, and the town should get a legal opinion before it is used.
“There are many citizens who are not happy about that being rolled over into other projects,” he said.
A project to revamp a pump station on West Grand Avenue came in at about $1.2 million, which is about $67,000 more than the original estimate.
Waste Water Treatment Facilities Superintendent Chris White said that he had the money in his department’s capital improvement fund to cover any overages.
“Kudos for that,” said MacDonald.
The council voted to approve a bid from Pizzagalli Construction Company for improvements on the pump station. The 33-year-old building needs equipment upgrades, electrical work and construction work, including a new roof and doors. The project will begin in 2010 and is expected to take one year.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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