Willington committee authorizes up to $3,000 for limited site clearing, recommends County Line Septic

The Willington School Building Committee voted unanimously Friday to authorize a not-to-exceed $3,000 encumbrance for limited site clearing to allow geotechnical borings on a proposed school parcel, and recommended County Line Septic to perform the work.

Committee President James Marshall said the limited clearing would create narrow paths to allow a geotechnical rig to reach selected boring locations. "This is not a full clearing," Marshall said; the work is intended only to enable the geotechnical investigator to get a rig in and select boring points. He said First Selectman Mike Maku solicited four quotes and two responses were received.

Marshall summarized the bids: County Line Septic quoted an estimated $200 per hour and anticipated one to two days of work; GreenStar CT offered a $1,600 minimum (which covers five hours for mobilization and work) and $275 per hour thereafter, and said it could clear as much as five acres in a day. Marshall recommended authorizing an encumbrance of up to $3,000 and noted that "County Line Septic obviously is associated with one of the owners of the potential parcel" but added he was "not inferring that there's any malfeasance" and that the observation was raised to be mindful of public perception.

After members discussed cost, oversight and scheduling, Marshall moved that the committee "authorize a not to exceed of $3,000 for the purposes of limited site clearing to allow for geotechnical investigation on the new property parcel in consideration," and recommended County Line Septic at the $200/hour rate. Adam Brewer seconded the motion. A virtual roll call recorded votes from Mr. Brewer, Mr. Zonus, Mr. Marshall and Mr. Bacon; the motion passed unanimously.

Members agreed to make the contract a not‑to‑exceed arrangement and to coordinate spot checks of the clearing work through the selectman's office or public works to confirm locations and hours billed. Marshall said the architectural and engineering team will provide the recommended boring locations, and staff will supply more precise reference points (GPS coordinates or monument distances) before mobilization.

The committee expects to act on geotechnical contractor quotes at its regular meeting on July 13. The limited site‑clearing work approved Friday is intended only to permit borings and does not include test pits, which the committee will coordinate separately with Eastern Highlands Health District and other teams if schedules allow.