Milton council extends deadline for water main work

Supply chain delays have caused Milton Town Council to unanimously vote to extend a contract for rebuilding water mains around town until Thursday, March 31. 

Contractor ECM Corporation requested the extension after running into supply shortages with piping. The company is waiting for supplies to rebuild water mains on Atlantic Street.

The $1.6 million project started this summer and will 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. 

At council’s Nov. 1 meeting, ECM’s David Costanza said the problem was delays in getting the piping; he said supplies were ordered months ago but have not come in. 

When asked by council how much time he would need, Costanza couldn’t say because besides supplies, they will be running into the cold season, which will affect street repaving once the pipe is installed. 

Councilman Sam Garde said he understood the supply chain issues and was more than willing to grant the extension. 

Brian Miller of town engineers Pennoni Associates presented a report recommending the March 31 date, as it would give a workable timeline for ECM to complete the project. Miller said besides piping, supply issues are affecting other areas of the project, such as water meter pits.

“Suppliers are not providing any dates for delivery,” he said. 

Miller said pushing the completion deadline to March would give ECM time to not only complete the piping work but also get into spring, when road restoration work will be easier.