MILFORD — City Council on Monday, May 11, unanimously approved two contracts pertaining to a future water tower at the new Milford Corporate Center and one more authorizing a study for a second well at the site.
The council awarded a $3,146,330 contract to CB&I Tank Storage Solutions LLC to build and erect a 300,000-gallon elevated water-storage tank at the corporate center, a 147-acre property bounded by Milford Harrington Highway and Canterbury and Church Hill roads.
The contract, which includes a $150,000 contingency allowance for unforeseen expenses, will cover the water tank’s construction and associated piping, valves and electrical components.
A related well and well house have been financed via a previous contract and proposals to add a parking lot and security fencing for the tank will come before the council at a future date, said Willis Shafer, the city’s public works director.
The contractor submitted the only bid for the tank project. KCI Technologies Inc. evaluated the bid and found it to be “reasonable and generally aligned with current construction pricing in this region,” Mr. Shafer said. “There are limited tower construction companies in this area, so that’s why there was only one bid.”
Off-site fabrication of the tower is slated to begin this fall and field assembly at the corporate center scheduled to start next spring, Mr. Shafer said. City officials hope the tower can be painted in fall 2027, weather permitting, and become operational in 2028, he said.
Council members approved a $106,150 contract with KCI Technologies Inc. to provide construction administration for the water tower project.
“They’re really the experts in this field, so we really rely on them to provide their guidance and oversight and management of this project,” Mr. Shafer said.
The council also awarded KCI Technologies Inc. a $53,000 contract to investigate the feasibility and possible location of a second well at the corporate center site.
Public Works Department officials recommended examining the potential for a second well because of the city’s ongoing growth and lack of water production at wells 15 and 16, which are located in southeast Milford.
An initial investigation of the corporate center property two years ago determined it would be able to support another well, Mr. Shafer said.
“The addition of a second well will provide water needed for high-demand times or when one of the 12 wells are down for service, (as well as) for future growth of the city,” he said.
Carlisle Fire Co. update
Carlisle Fire Co.’s new substation off of Cedar Beach Road near South Rehoboth Boulevard has been operational since April 21 and has fielded about 70% of the department’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) calls since then, fire chief Brennon Fountain informed City Council during his monthly report at the meeting.
In other news, the company’s project to build new quarters for EMS personnel has received its final permitting and will begin soon, he said.
Nine of the company’s career staffers will receive recognition for their lifesaving efforts Wednesday, May 20, at the Kent County Department of Public Safety’s fourth annual Survivors’ Ceremony, the chief added. The event, which starts at 6 p.m., will be held at Bayhealth Conference Center, 665 Bay Road in Dover.