In recent weeks, Brian Robertson, Vice President of the Lapel Town Council, shared an important update on the town’s ongoing water project. The council held two public meetings to address significant developments in the project. One meeting was a special session, while the other was a regular council meeting, both of which were open to the public and extensively advertised.
Reasons for Recent Changes
Brian Robertson explained that government agencies are required to accept the lowest reasonable bid for projects. Initially, the plan was to use a boring method to install new water lines. However, this method proved to be extremely challenging due to difficulties in locating some of Lapel’s utilities using outdated maps. After five months of negotiations and planning, a new approach was agreed upon. The project will now proceed with an “open cut” method, which is expected to better address the unique challenges of the town’s infrastructure.
Project Timeline
According to Robertson, the project is scheduled to restart on or before September 15, 2024. The major completion date for the new water lines, which must be installed and supplying customers, is set for March 31, 2025. The total completion date, which includes final touches, is targeted for April 30, 2025.
Ensuring Timely Progress
Brian Robertson has been assigned the task of conducting weekly meetings with both the engineering team and the contractor to ensure the project remains on schedule. A town utility employee will serve as the primary point of contact and will be on-site daily, reporting any issues directly to Robertson. He will then provide progress reports to the council during their regular monthly meetings.
Focus on Water Quality
Robertson has also been in touch with the water department to explore ways of taking water samples directly from the water meter. The goal is to ensure that the water quality being supplied is up to standard. The town is responsible for water quality up to the meter, while anything beyond that point falls under the property owner’s responsibility. Although there are acknowledged issues with the town’s aging water supply system, Robertson emphasized that the project aims to significantly improve the oldest sections of this system.
Moving Forward
Brian Robertson hopes that this update sheds light on the council’s efforts to enhance Lapel’s water system. He also expressed openness to sharing this information to keep the community well-informed.