BOYLE – Village of Boyle council got some advice on how to cut costs on upcoming street overlay and sidewalk projects.
Sterling Johnson took off his Lac La Biche councillor hat and spoke from his wealth of experience when he attended the village's April 15 meeting to provide some insight from his many years in public works for places like the City of Beaumont and suggested that the proposed $1.4 million project could be done for far less.
“As you know we’ve got to pave in summer, we've got to dig in summer so we're thinking to ask your assistance for us to have a look at digging up on main street; doing the underground water sewer and build our way back up to new asphalt sidewalks,” mayor Colin Derko explained to council as to why he invited Johnson to attend the meeting.
Johnson jumped right in and offered advice to both the council and members of public works in attendance at the meeting.
“What I would do is I would camera my sewer mains and unless there's a bad side, you leave it alone,” he said. “Unless there's a sag in the pipe or a beam break in, then you go in and repair it and those spot repairs are probably about $4,000 each, and you leave your sewer main alone, if it's working you leave it working.”
He then gave council a step-by-step breakdown on how much it should cost to get the job done.
“So, if you allow $20,000 to camera your street and a couple repairs ... then if you have 10 service locations, maybe $8,000 apiece," he said. "So now you're up to $100,000 and re-bolt your hydrants – another $8,000 (or) $6,000 to re-bolt your hydrants – they're a little easier, and your valves so now you have $130,000.”
Johnson added that since the work that needs to be done is maintenance there is no need for engineering, which would be a big savings for the village.
“As far as engineering, no engineering required, it's all maintenance stuff that your public works guys can actually tackle with some local help or else do it as supervision and hiring local contractors to do it,” he said.
By cutting out engineering and using in-house labour Johnson expressed he felt the project could come in well under the $1.4 million prediction.
“So, I think there's some savings here and I don't think it's that big of a project for you guys – well, it's a big project for you guys,” he said. “But it's going be a cheaper project than you anticipated and something that you can definitely afford and get it repaved and looking good.”
Mayor Derko added that council has a fiduciary responsibility to spend taxpayer money wisely.
“Well, that's our goal,” he commented. “We want to spend our taxpayers' dollars effectively and get your biggest bang for your buck.”
Johnson added that he is happy to work with Paul Clyburn and Brad Beaulieu in public works on cost estimates and putting out tenders for the street overlay and sidewalks.
“I'm more than willing to help you prepare a tender document or something that they can go out with and make sure you don't miss anything,” he told council.
