The Town of Thorp was a busy place on Wednesday evening as Henry Berry of Ratsch Engineering opened bids for the future town hall and shop. Ten bids were admitted but as Horst Construction in Withee didn’t have bid security, the town board rejected their bid without hearing the price.
“I guess we’ll reject it then,” said Chairman Jerry Jacks as Berry told the board it was up to them, but it was their right to reject it since it was requested that all bids have bid security. Speaking of the bid advertisement, Town Clerk Arlene Kodl agreed, “It did say no bid will be received or considered unless accompanied by a bid bond or check.”
With bids coming in from Advantage Buildings, Baumann Construction, Brickl Brothers, Hickman Buildings, Huotari Construction, Inc., Lechleitner Builders, Inc., Real Vision Construction LLC, SD Ellenbecker, and Straightline Construction, the lowest three bids were from Hickman Builders for $538,000, Straightline Construction for $638,850, and Advantage Builders for $731,021. Berry stated that while Ratsch Engineering hasn’t previously worked with Hickman Builders or Real Vision Construction, LLC., they have worked with the rest. As the majority of the bids were priced at $750,000 or higher, Berry said he would look into why the other bids were significantly less and check the references of the low bidders. The bids for the town hall and shop will be discussed at the Town of Thorp regular board meeting on Wednesday, April 10 at 5 p.m. where Berry will make a recommendation to the board.
Supervisor Bob Kodl motioned to apply for culvert aid for two 36-inch galvanized culverts to be installed north of Eidsvold on Hart Avenue with the rest of the Town Board voting in agreement.
