DPW project update: Middle Falls nears completion after tank delay; Fort Am progress but change orders keep contingency in play

County public-works staff reported progress and remaining risks on two major projects, saying Middle Falls is close to completion after a supplier transit incident delayed a fire-suppression tank, and Fort Am remains active with change orders but with contingency funding still available.

Project manager Matt told the committee a factory-shipped fire‑suppression tank for Middle Falls was damaged in transit and required a factory repair in Missouri, but the vendor has provided an updated arrival date and installation is scheduled. “It was damaged and they came out, looked. It wasn't a field repair, so it went all the way back to Missouri,” Matt said. He said the tank was expected back and installation would follow, leaving one small pump house and final finishes before move-in.

Matt reported contract contingencies across five Middle Falls contracts of about $480,000, and estimated an extra contingency line from other project costs (IT, insurance, temporary lease and storage) of about $70,000. He said he expects to use some contingency but is “coming in most confident” that three projects tied to the broader program will finish in good financial shape.

On Fort Am, Matt said contract contingencies remain positive — about $309,000 at the time of reporting — despite a significant earlier change order (he referenced a $328,000 order tied to a scope change). He said the team has purchased equipment and accounted for National Grid and other utility expenses separately, and he estimated the program may finish “somewhere in the 3 to 400,000 range” to the good after outstanding items are resolved. He said there are remaining delays on door hardware and window panels that could require short-term workarounds during occupancy.

Committee members asked about funding accounting because multiple funding lines (including ARPA and capital accounts) are being used, and Matt said he will meet with the finance director to reconcile project accounting and, if necessary, request additional funds for outside-contract work to avoid negative balances. The committee approved a request to forward a financing item to the finance committee for closure and reconciliation.

Matt said Middle Falls should be ready for a move-in target in August, barring remaining hardware delays; Fort Am may begin staged moves in September ahead of final project closeout. Staff will present updated contingency and funding reconciliations to finance before final closeout.