Street construction bids were approved by the Manawa Common Council at its Feb. 18 meeting.
The low bid of $94,362 for the Oak Street project was received from Wood Sewer & Excavating, Inc., of New London. It includes street reconstruction on Oak Street/Second Street.
The low bid of $352,352.50 for the Union Street utility project was received from Dorner, Inc., of Luxemburg. It includes sanitary sewer and water main reconstruction on Union Street.
The council approved refinancing of loans for Fourth Street, dam repairs, and Clark Street/Hoffmann Ct. The refinancing will be through the Wisconsin State Trust Fund.
The council approved spending about $6,500 to upgrade the city’s computer server system. Financing will come from replacement computer funds and savings in the government pool.
In municipal court business, the council agreed to support an amendment to state statutes relating to municipal court fees. The current law allows a municipal judge to fine $15-$28 for an ordinance violation. The amendment would allow the fine to be $15-$38.
In other business, the council recognized Director of Public Works Frank Jaeger for 29 years of service as of Feb. 20. Clerk Cheryl Hass read a letter from a past employee praising Jaeger for “doing things right.”
Oak Street work begins
The council discussed delays to the Oak Street reconstruction project caused by one property owner not wanting a large oak tree trimmed. The work will begin on Wednesday.
The trimming will help protect the tree from harm during the road construction, explained Waupaca County Highway Commissioner Dean Steingraber, who visited with the council after the meeting.
“The tree is not coming down,” he explained. “It will be trimmed and protected during this project.”
According to an arborist hired to inspect the tree, about five branches will be trimmed before construction begins. Doing this before spring will give the tree time to heal and will protect the other branches from harm.
Steingraber said the Waupaca County Highway Department has “bent over backwards” to work with the property owner.
“We’re trying to do the right thing for the tree, for the property owners and for the street,” he said.