The meeting was scheduled to consider the bid for the cinder building. There was one bid for the building, $81,000 by Jennings Construction.
The matter had been tabled at the regular July meeting when several residents asked for the opportunity to review the specifications of the new building.
In order to accommodate those concerns the issue was tabled to a special meeting on this date.
Some reviewed the plans after the regular meeting and at least one individual did so during the intervening days. All the supervisors also reviewed the specifications and plans.
Mr. Sheaffer said today's meeting was called to decide the bid.
Mr. Tompkins calculated the cubic yardage of the building and determined that it, in combination with the existing cinder building, would hold an adequate supply o cinders to last the season. "To the best of my knowledge, it will be enough," he said. The existing 30 x 60 building will hold 460 tons and the new building, 690 tons. Mr Sheaffer said that 1,150 tons would provide cinders only on the areas presently covered,. He said that 4,850 tons would be necessary to cover the entire length of all township roads.
Mr. Tompkins added that he had hoped the bid had been broken down between labor and materials but it was not. However, he did not ask Mr. Jennings for that breakdown.
Mr. Tompkins said "$81,000 seems extremely expensive. I'm looking at the needs of the whole township, with the roads and bridges we have to take care of. $81,000 is a lot of money, and this is something we need to think about."
Mr Sheaffer said the drawings were taken to the architect to be stamped, but he insisted on more rebar and concrete. That added $11,000 to the costs. The original cost was $70,000.
Mr. Tompkins said, "Mr. Jennings does excellent work, but do we want to spend $81,000? We should take a long-term look at what the township has and what it needs. This [project] is almost a hurry-up thing."
Mr. Sheaffer said, "We have been talking about this since last year." Mr. Tompkins took the blame for failing to do research in alternatives.
It was noted that Armenia township had used a prefabricated building that cost $60,000. The Supervisors felt that building would not hold up for Ward. Mr. Tompkins said that the building under consideration "will last a long time."
There was a discussion of the specifications for the building, which will have concrete walls eight feel high topped with wood for the rest of the building. The concrete will go down another three feet.
Mr. Sheaffer said, 'We don't want to put this off any longer." He said that costs of bonding, prevailing wage, etc. ran up the costs, and costs would increase the longer the project were delayed.
Mr. Tompkins said, "I think the cinder building would be a good thing," but expressed concern about the cost, and the fact that the township had other uses for the money.
The supervisors said that Mr. Jennings had checked with the engineer to see about alternatives and was told that the building must be built according to the specifications.
Mr. Tompkins said he had looked over the specifications and asked Mr. Jennings how high it could be filled with cinders. The building, 40 x 60 feet, will hold a pile up to 12 feet in height.
After the discussion concluded, Mr. Sheaffer asked for a motion to accept the bid from Jennings Construction in the amount of $81,000. Mr. Ayres made the motion. "I think [the building] is going to last for years," he said. Mr. Sheaffer seconded the motion with passed by a two to one vote with Mr. Tompkins voting nay.
Mr. Tompkins said, "Let's make sure we have enough cinders on the roads [this winter.] Let's make that a high priority."
As no other business was before the board, the meeting was adjourned.