CROSSVILLE —
The Cumberland County Finance Committee approved a bid from Green Brothers Construction, of Crossville, for a water supply project to Cumberland Mountain Retreat.
Green Brothers was the second low bidder on the project, but committee members expressed concern the low bidder was not familiar with the work conditions of excavating on the Cumberland Plateau.
Mike Harvel, 7th District representative, said, "They've just now gotten licensed to work in Tennessee. They've never done any kind of sandstone rock like is around here. I know what kind of problems it causes and how the rock eats up equipment."
United Pipeline, Inc., of Kentucky, bid $284,759.50 while Green Brothers bid $286,549, a difference of $1,789. Harvel said one change order in the project could change the project in its entirety.
The project engineer supplied recommendations of previous customers from United Pipeline, which provided satisfactory to excellent recommendations.
Scott Blaylock, county road supervisor, moved to award the bid to Green Brothers Construction, supported by Harvel.
Blaylock said, "There's too many unknowns."
County Finance Director Nathan Brock noted that the specific grant requirements may not allow for much discretion in choosing a bidder. He said Tennessee law required accepting the lowest and best bid. Best bid allowed some discretion. Grants sometimes had different requirements.
"We need to be prepared for justification of the bid award," Brock said. "You're not being arbitrary. And I've talked to contractors from all across the Southeast and there's some people that the mountain has broke them."
The bid was awarded with all voting in favor.
South Cumberland Utility District received a Community Development Block Grant award of $702,000 in low-interest loan and $217,000 grant for the project to replace leaky residential junction assemblies and install more cost effective remote-read water meters. Those funds are being combined with $131,000 of the district's funds.
In other action, the following bids were approved:
•Main food and non-food supplies, bread, fresh produce, ice cream, chemicals, frozen beverages, beverages and pizza for the Cumberland County School Nutrition Program to various vendors. The Cumberland County Jail will also use portions of the bid for its food program;
•Rogers Group Crab Orchard Plant for paving and paving material, with the bid prices firm through September 2011.
•Franklin Industrial Materials for 1/2-inch and 33c crusher run crushed stone with prices of $8 a ton for 1/2-inch and $6 per ton for 33c crusher run. Monterey Limestone provided a bid of $5.50 per ton for 33c crusher run but Blaylock said the difference in distance negated the savings.
•While Dunlap Stone provided the only bid for 3/8-inch rock at $10 a ton, no bid was awarded. The road department will be able to buy the stone on the open market at no more than $10 a ton provided cumulative purchases do not exceed amounts required to be competitively bid.
•Hudson Material Company of Chattanooga for AE-P and CRS-2 road oils, mixing fee and Enviropatch products.
•Marathon Ashland Petroleum of Knoxville, TN for RS-2 and AE-3 road oil.
•Morton Salt of Chicago, IL, for road salt at $80 a ton. This company has the closest depot.
•The Feed Store of Crossville to supply corrugated metal pipe and Tays Septic of Crossville for HDPE pipe.
•Cumberland County Guardrail Inc. for guardrails.
•England Striping, Inc. of Crossville for road striping at $400 a linear mile per stripe.
Area News
County approves bid for water line project, road department
- Area News
-
-
Long-time coach, teacher granted diversion
A long-time Cumberland County elementary school teacher and coach indicted in March on a charge of assault in connection with the paddling of a child has been granted diversion in the case and will be eligible to have the charge removed from his record once he completes terms of the sentencing agreement.
-
Honoring fallen heroes
-
Laurel Hills POA action questioned by State Attorney General
The Laurel Hills Property Owners Association on Renegade Mountain recently notified Renegade Mountain residents and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation that, effective July 9, 2012, it would no longer provide water service to any party other than itself with its water system.
The action has caused a hearing, scheduled Monday, May 21, before the Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA). -
Looking Back
A weekly historical news feature.
-
Homestead named Lighthouse School of Excellence
Although they call themselves the Bulldogs, students at Homestead Elementary School did not mind Principal Robin Perry describing them as butterflies last week.
-
Suspect faces multiple charges in burglaries
A Cumberland County man was arrested in connection with two burglaries during which thousands of dollars worth of jewelry and tools were stolen. Some of the property has been recovered, according to arrest warrant affidavits.
-
School attendance an issue for those over 18
While state law and school system policies are proving helpful in getting younger students to school, school officials are finding increasing absenteeism among students 18 years and older.
-
Report shows Justice Center needs much work to repair leaks
Commissioners on the building and grounds committee made a consensus agreement earlier this week to have the county attorney review an extensive repair estimate report for work needed at the Cumberland County Justice Center in order to repair numerous leaks and problems.
-
Fire engulfs residence
-
School bus driver cited for leaving the scene
A Cumberland County school bus driver was given a summons to court and, according to unconfirmed reports, is no longer employed as a driver, after the bus she was driving with 63 persons on board struck a concrete guard rail and then continued on its way.
- More Area News Headlines
-
Long-time coach, teacher granted diversion
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Remains of Veterans Found in Basement Are Buried
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Serial Stabbings Suspect Guilty of Murder
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
A Few Odd Business Sparks but Europe Gloomy
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
Gerard Butler: the Good, the Bad and the Cannes
At Least 25 Dead in India Train Collision
Raw Video: Private Rocket Blasts Off
Boy to Rescuers: 'Do You Have a Plan?'
Doctors and Devotees Debate Barefoot Running
Blacks Seek to Find Their Own Missing
Houston Museum Unveils $85 Million Dinosaur Hall
