Commission to consider rebuild of EQ Basin "Muffin Monster" grinder; estimated $59,060 within budget

Cross Hill Township staff told the Public Service Commission that the township’s EQ basin grinder (a 2005 Muffin Monster manufactured by JWC) is due for a rebuild and that the manufacturer’s Michigan representative, Solberg Knowles/JWC, provided a "renew" quote of $59,060.35 for the work.

Derek said the unit has not had a full rebuild since installation in 2005 and that the proposed work would replace the cutting assembly and other components below the motor and return the machine to service. "We would ourselves pull that unit out. The crane's over there and just leave it on the concrete, and they would come do the rebuild in 1 day," Derek explained. The project was budgeted at $60,000 for the fiscal year.

Commissioners probed the scope and price. They asked for a parts vs. labor breakdown, confirmation that the motor would be reused, confirmation that taxes would be excluded (the township is tax‑exempt on direct purchases), and whether the vendor would provide a warranty on the rebuild. Staff said the supplier had provided a sole‑source letter; commissioners asked staff to add a formal agenda item in October with the additional documentation before any purchase.

Derek told the commission the work would be scheduled in winter (low flows) so the plant could continue to use the basin when required. He said a rebuild now would avoid a higher‑cost full replacement in the future and would likely extend operation for two decades.

The commission did not approve the expenditure at the meeting; it directed staff to obtain a parts/labor breakdown, warranty terms and sole‑source documentation and to return with the item as a formal action item at the October meeting.