WATERVILLE $ City councilors on Tuesday will consider awarding a $412,990 contract to an Augusta company to build a fleet maintenance facility at the Public Works complex on Wentworth Court.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at The Center downtown.

Ganneston Construction Corp. was one of eight bidders for the project, which includes building a 60-by-100-foot building and a 20-by-30-foot welding/fabrication shop.

After being selected for follow-up interviews, the lowest four bidders were offered a chance to broaden their proposals and Ganneston offered the lowest price, according to a memo to councilors and Mayor Paul LePage from Public Works Director Mark Turner.

With a 10 percent construction contingency, the total cost of the project is $454,290, according to the memo. Funds will come from a $650,000 appropriation in the 2008-09 capital improvement fund.

Council Chairman Dana W. Sennett, D-Ward 4, said the building is badly needed.
"That building should have been built 20 years ago and I'm happy to think that this time we can actually get the work done," Sennett said Monday. "I only wish my father who worked at Public Works 50 years ago had the opportunity."

In other matters, councilors will consider a recommendation by the Planning Board to rezone 81 Grove St. so that Maine State Credit Union may install a pylon sign and revise a landscaping plan for a new building planned for the site.
"It's necessary," Sennett said of the rezoning. "It's one of the things that we need to bring the project to fruition."

Amy Calder $ 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com