Milton council gives extension for water main project
Milton Town Council unanimously agreed to give a 45-day extension to the town’s contractor on a water main replacement project.
This is the second time contractor ECM Corporation has asked for an extension on the $1.6 million project, which started in summer 2021 to install new water mains on Atlantic Avenue and sections of Chestnut Street, and on Atlantic Street up to Cave Neck Road. The town is upgrading to larger mains in order to repair existing lines, improve flow and plan for future development. In December, ECM asked for an extension after running into supply issues with piping, and that request was granted, with council giving the contractor until March 31 to complete the project.
ECM’s David Costanza appeared before council April 4 to request a second extension. He said the reason was primarily bad weather, including both cold temperatures and precipitation. Costanza said after being granted the first extension, crews demobilized, and when they tried to remobilize, ran into frigid temperatures, snowstorms and rainstorms. He said crews were around at all times and tried to work when they could.
On site, Costanza said, progress was slowed after issues arose with the Delaware Department of Transportation over the contractor’s ability to work in the area of Round Pole Branch, a creek that runs under the construction area on Atlantic Street. Public Works Director Greg Wingo said the issue involved another contractor doing work on a storm drain there, and DelDOT would not allow both contractors to work in the area. He said that issue has since been resolved, and he was comfortable granting the extension.
Costanza said supply issues have been resolved, with all supplies purchased and in hand. He said the intention is to finish Atlantic Street within the next week and move on to Atlantic Avenue. Work on Chestnut Street has been completed.
He said if everything goes according to plan, work can be completed by Sunday, May 15.
ECM wins bid for street paving
In a separate contract, ECM was awarded a bid to conduct street repaving on Front Street from Federal Street to Chestnut Street.
ECM was the low bidder on the contract at $21,000, while most of the bidders came in around $40,000. Costanza said the reason for such a low bid was because there are no mobilization costs required since ECM is already on site in Milton.
Town council, in its unanimous vote, gave ECM 60 days to finish the project.
Milton Chamber granted approval for Magnolia Street closure
Council also unanimously granted a request from the Milton Chamber of Commerce to close a portion of Magnolia Street for the annual Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird Festival between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., Saturday, May 28.
The chamber’s request was to close down Magnolia Street between the entrance and exit of the municipal parking lot in order to allow for two to three food trucks. The festival will be held at the empty lot across the street adjacent to the Lydia Cannon Museum. The chamber was granted a similar request last year.
