CENTRAL MANITOULIN—Work on the Yonge Street reconstruction will be getting underway soon following the awarding of the $1,394,321.20 plus HST contract to the lowest bidder, Labelle Brothers Excavating. The contract was awarded under the recommendations of engineering firm K. Smart Associates.
“We received several bids and took the lowest five for evaluation,” said Central Manitoulin Councillor Patricia MacDonald. “We settled with Labelle Brothers as the lowest bid. There were good references for that firm from their past work in West Nippissing and with Tek Engineering.”
The motion to accept the bid was made by Councillor MacDonald and seconded by Councillor Derek Stephens.
“Ye-haw, let’s get at it,” said Councillor Adam McDonald, expressing the relief reflected by council that the long process was finally nearing completion.
“The money for this project is in the budget?” asked Mayor Gerry Strong. “Yes,” replied CAO/Clerk Ruth Frawley. “It’s good to note that,” said Mayor Strong.
Council expressed reservations about the engineering firm involved with project in light of delays experienced previously in receiving reports.
“We had a meeting with the firm and Mr. Kintzi stated that he would have very little to do with the project,” said Ms. Frawley. “With the drainage part of the project, he might be there two times. He knows how council feels about it.”
“It is not just his participation,” said Mayor Strong.
Ms. Frawley noted that the logistics of council hiring their own CET (civil engineering technician) could be problematic. “What if they quit in the middle of the project?” she asked. “At least with the engineering firm, they are responsible to have someone on site the next day.”
