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Wells council talks street improvements

First of two public hearings held on proposed 2024 projects

By Kevin Mertens - Staff Writer | Nov 19, 2023

A new concession stand, made out of concrete panels, is now in place at Thompson Park in Wells. Wells Concrete supplied the panels for the new stand, which should be ready for use by the 2024 spring sports season.

The Wells City Council held their first meeting of the month on Monday, Nov. 13, and held a public hearing on the special assessment for the 2024 Street and Utility Improvement Project.

“This is the first of two public hearings which by law we are required to hold,” city engineer Ben Rosol commented. “We will review the project scope and its impacts, the proposed assessments and schedule for the project and also allow the opportunity for public discussion on the project.”

One part of the plan for 2024 calls for full reconstruction on Sixth Avenue NW and on Fifth Avenue SW/NW. Additionally, a maintenance project on Fifth Street SW is also included in the proposed plan.

“The full reconstruction project includes replacing storm sewer mains, catch basins, manholes, sanitary sewer mains, water main pipes, hydrant valves and fittings,” Rosol explained. “We will televise the services prior to construction to review the condition of the pipes and any potential illicit tile connections.”

According to Rosol the age and existing conditions of the infrastructure on Fifth and Sixth Avenues are the reason for the project.

“The streets are in poor condition with alligator cracking, rutting, patches and repairs and the sidewalk does not meet current ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards,” Rosol added. “There are minimal storm sewer exits and the pipe is undersized and aging. The existing sanitary sewer pipe is vitrified clay pipe which allows inflow and infiltration. The water distribution system is also old and undersized and there is no water main in some areas. The pipes are corroded and deteriorating and the valves do not work properly.”

The maintenance project on Fifth Street is much less involved.

“There are no issues with the storm sewer, sanitary sewer or the water distribution system,” Rosol reported. “The street was last reconstructed in the 1990s and is in fair condition but showing signs of surface distress, minor cracking and delamination. The sidewalk does not meet current ADA standards.”

The price tag for the reconstruction project is $2,798,979 with the total amount to be assessed being $628,024.

“The estimated project cost of the maintenance project is $147,873 with the city paying the total amount so there is no assessed amount,” Rosol said.

Questions from the public dealt with objects in the right-of-way and the removal of trees.

“The property owner is responsible for their things which are in the right-of-way,” Rosol answered. “Regarding the trees, nobody likes to remove trees. Unfortunately, there are trees which will have to be removed whether it is because of the street width, the need for a service trench or because of the Emerald Ash Borer which is now in our county.”

Another person asked if the street lighting could be improved as part of the project.

“We are still in the process of reviewing the city’s street lights,” mayor David Braun replied.

Rosol also reminded the people at the meeting that access to driveways could be cut off for a time during the projects.

“When we restore your driveway, it will be replaced with concrete to the property/right-of-way line,” Rosol said. “As far as the yards go, all residential yards will receive sod and the contractor will maintain the sod for the first 30 days. After that, proper care will be needed by the residents.”

The proposed schedule for the projects would have the advertisement of bids happening in March of next year and the contract being awarded in April.

“The construction time period would run approximately from May through October of next year,” Rosol added.

Rosol also updated the council on the water main project which is being installed between Wells and Easton.

“The pipe should be all laid by the end of this week or by early next week,” he said. “While all the connections have been made in Wells, the city of Easton will not be connected to the water pipe until next year.”

Police chief Tim Brenegan was at the meeting and reported that Ford has once again cancelled the city’s order for an Explorer.

“This is the third year in a row that Ford has done this,” Brenegan noted. “I have now started looking at a proposal for purchasing a Dodge Durango instead.”

The council also discussed a new state employment law set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. It is called the Employee Safe and Sick Time (ESST). City administrator Connor La Pointe pointed out there are still many questions to be answered regarding the law.

“We have provided you with information from Abdo for you to study,” La Pointe said.

La Pointe also updated the council on the work taking place at Thompson Park.

“The light poles may begin to be put up soon,” La Pointe told the council. “The concrete concession stand is in place. The next step is to caulk the seams.”

In other business, the City Council:

• Voted to approve a resolution to accept grant navigator funding, in the amount of $5,000.

• Authorized the pursuit of 2023 Local Road Improvement Program Funding to be used for the South Industrial Park Expansion and Reconstruction Project.

• Voted to accept a bid from Schrader Enterprises for snow removal at the Wells Municipal Airport. The rate will be $135 per hour for a 200 horsepower tractor with a nine-foot snowblower, $90 per hour for a skid steer with a blower and $85 per hour for a pickup with a scoop plow for cleaning hard-surface areas.