Highlands awards $257,280 force-main repair contract; approves budget amendment

Town Manager Josh Ward updated the board on the force-main repair project that followed repeated line failures on Franklin Road. After engineers and staff prepared bid documents, the town opened three bids on Jan. 8. The low bid was from Dan Grady Company LLC (Sylva) for $257,280.

Ward said the project had earlier been estimated at about $1.4 million, but changes at the sewer plant and added storage capacity reduced the need for extensive pump‑around infrastructure, which in turn reduced the bid prices. The recommended package included an added contingency of $38,500 to cover adverse conditions; finance staff identified capital-project funds to cover the combined amount so the town will not need to borrow.

The board moved and approved awarding the contract to Dan Grady Company LLC and approved the budget amendment to transfer the necessary funds from capital-projects accounts. Work is expected to begin during the off season and continue into spring to minimize traffic impacts on Highway 64. The project scope includes replacing air-release valves and affected sections of pipe; staff said the replacement material is not ductile iron where electrolysis caused previous deterioration.