At the April 10 Town of Thorp board meeting, the Board voted to delay choosing a contractor for the new town hall and shop until the annual meeting on Tuesday, April 16. Henry Berry of Ratsch Engineering explained to the board members that lowest bidder James Hickman of Hickman Buildings has references and meets the requirements of the bid documents. Residents in attendance questioned if Hickman had the experience necessary for the job specifically for commercial building construction.
“Hey, this ain’t my first rodeo. I’ve been working in this stuff since I was sixteen,” Hickman answered. “I’m confident in myself.” He explained to the board and those in attendance why his base bid was low at $538,000. “I’m doing it a little cheaper for the pride of helping my township out.”
“Is there an inspector every step of the way?” asked a township resident.
“There is a commercial building inspector,” replied Berry.
Chairman Jerry Jacks along with supervisors Andy Slowiak and Bob Kodl decided to wait to choose a contractor for the construction project until the annual meeting on April 16.
The board voted to accept the bid for calcium chloride dust control for the township roads from Kafka Granite at $1.45 per gallon and purchase three loads of calcium chloride. They voted to charge Town of Thorp residents $100 for 300 feet and non-residents $174 for 300 feet.
Chairman Jerry Jacks opened bids for excavating for ditches and culverts from John Stroinski Backhoe and Grading at $94.00 per hour, from J&M Home Repair and Excavating at $95.00 per hour, and from Fellenz Excavating at $150.00 per hour.
“Our machines don’t run on idle. We’re here to get in and get out, you know. We’re cutting our throats just to get at that rate,” said a representative from J&M.
“Absolutely. We dug deep for them prices, to compete with John to be honest with you,” agreed Chuck Moore with Fellenz Excavating.
The Board discussed accepting all the bids and deciding as each situation arises.
“They’re all compatible,” Kodl said.
“If you guys use us all, perfect,” said the J&M representative. “I mean that’s the only way for new blood to ever get in.”
“I’m not here to pick sides,” Kodl answered. “But you’re all compatible.”
Kodl motioned to accept all three bid quotes and make a decision on a case-by-case basis to the unanimous agreement of the rest of the board.
