SALEM — The utilities commission discussed snags in the improvements to the water plant in its meeting Thursday.
Project Engineer Drew Paul said issues had been found with Project Contractor A.P. Ohoro’s proposed schedule, which was sent back for revisions, and the revised version had arrived for review that morning. He also said that A.P. Ohoro didn’t “feel they were responsible” for the demolition of the substation.
“They said that in the plans it’s not listed as a civil demolition, but that doesn’t make sense to us. That’s a part of the project and there’s a building going in that exact location,” said Paul.
Commission Chairman Bob Hodgson asked Paul to clarify whether the demolition is explicitly stated as part of the project contract, which Paul confirmed, and Hodgson said that there was no question of responsibility then.
“We signed the contract, you signed the contract, they signed the contract. There’s no discussion,” said Hodgson.
Hodgson also asked if there was a new project foreman on site yet and Project Representative Greg Carver said that there still was not a new foreman in place.
While not present, Project Manager Bob Schreiner’s notes on phase three improvements at the wastewater treatment plant were read by Utilities Superintendent Butch Donnalley. Donnalley said that Burgess & Niple were working with Centrisys to determine potential layouts for a sludge dryer, and the main switch gear was set to be delivered by July 10.
Hodgson reiterated prior concerns that the rest of the work was not on track to be completed before the switch gear arrived.
“It’s not going to look good if that switch gear gets here on July 10 and we’ve got no power to go it…we don’t want that gear to be sitting there and not be able to put it in,” said Hodgson.
Hodgson also said that when he went to visit the plant that morning the plant was experiencing flow issues in the line which flows into the plant. When the valve was taken apart at the street to address the issue it was found that a roughly foot-long length of 18-inch-wide plastic pipe with a cap on the end was found to have worked its way into the system before becoming stuck at the valve.
Work is nearly complete on the East Cold Run rip-rap repair. Water Plant Manager Larry Sebrell said that all that was left to be completed was a cement pour on the 60-inch spillway at the dam’s overflow to repair joints, which was set to begin Monday under the supervision of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Sebrell also said that he felt Project Contractor A.P. Ohoro had done a good job on the project, and Hodgson asked if something could be done to encourage A.P. Ohoro to be more diligent in maintaining the worksite.
“We’ve got a lot of mud floating around in areas there shouldn’t be. Is there any way to spur [A.P. Ohoro] on to clean up a little better,” said Hodgson.
Paul said that they had discussed the matter with A.P Ohoro during their construction meeting that morning and stressed the need to clean up the site to them. He also noted that they had put in a field order to address some of those issues.
The department is also set to begin hydrant flushing the week of June 1. Water Distribution General Foreman Brian Hall said that during the first week the flushing would be conducted at night and would continue during the day from the second week on until flushing was complete. Hall said that while residents might see a little bit of dirty-looking water during this process, that there was no need to boil their water nor take any other special actions.
The utilities commission will meet next at 3 p.m. June 19.