Mantua tables contractor payment amid sewer invoice discrepancy; Well No. 2 needs up to $28,000 more after drive failure

The Mantua Town Council on Feb. 19 voted to table payment to contractor Twin D while staff seeks written approvals and an in‑person explanation for an invoice discrepancy. Public Works Director Marcus Abel reported Twin D billed $42,575 for 11 sewer repairs, exceeding an earlier approved amount of $32,500 for 13 repairs and raising the town’s concern about cost-per-segment increases and possible audit triggers.

Council Member actions: Mayor Pro Tempore Matt Jeppsen moved to table the Twin D payment and Council Member Cheryl Burgan seconded; the motion passed unanimously. The town has requested the contractor appear in person and provide documentation that the extra work was preapproved before authorizing payment.

In a separate infrastructure update, Abel reported a critical equipment failure at Well No. 2. The motor has been replaced at a cost of $40,000; engineers recommended installing a new Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) first (quoted at $16,095.44) to determine whether additional electrical wiring work—estimated at $12,000–$16,000—would be necessary. Abel said the town’s springs and a secondary well currently supply water while Well No. 2 is offline, but staff urged prompt action to restore full capacity before peak summer demand.