(Oct. 13, 2016) New fencing will be going up around two of the county pumping stations in Ocean Pines, but it won’t be purchased via the usual bidding process.
The Worcester County Commissioners voted 4-2 at its meeting on October 4 to waive formal bidding processes in awarding a contract for new wooden fencing around the stations.
Commissioners Chip Bertino and Ted Elder both voted against accepting a bid from Fruitland based Grasso Fence to replace fencing around pump stations C & G at a cost of $23,315.
John Tustin, county director of Public Works, said extensive discussions have taken place concerning the selection of wood or vinyl fencing.
“To replace with vinyl is about a 30 percent increase in cost,” he said. “Staff within the water and wastewater division is recommending we replace these with wood and not go with the vinyl.”
Tustin said the principal advantages of a natural wood fencing, in addition to lower initial cost, include reduced maintenance expenses and relative ease of repair compared to vinyl.
“If a limb falls on the wooden fence and breaks a couple pickets we can go to the local hardware store buy a couple of pickets and put it back up,” he said. “If a limb falls on a vinyl fence, we need the contractor back to make the repairs.”
Additionally Tustin said vinyl fencing typically requires annual power washing.
“It’s in the woods, it’s set back off the roads,” he said. “It’s going to blend in with the community.”
Commissioner Merrill Lockfaw said there could be unanticipated challenges with vinyl.
“This vinyl fencing, if damage occurs, sometimes that particular style may be discontinued and now you can’t get a like panel to put back in,” he said. “I’ve experienced some of that myself with small fencing jobs.”
Tustin also said the vinyl option can be revisited for other more visible pump station locations.
Bertino then voiced reservations about waiving the formal bidding process.
Tustin explained that the county requested proposals from five fence companies and only received two bids. The other bid, from Capitol Heights-based Long Fence, was slightly higher at $25,970.
By comparison, the vinyl option was bid at $33,252 by Grasso and $30,010 from Long Fence.
The Worcester County Commissioners voted 4-2 at its meeting on October 4 to waive formal bidding processes in awarding a contract for new wooden fencing around the stations.
Commissioners Chip Bertino and Ted Elder both voted against accepting a bid from Fruitland based Grasso Fence to replace fencing around pump stations C & G at a cost of $23,315.
John Tustin, county director of Public Works, said extensive discussions have taken place concerning the selection of wood or vinyl fencing.
“To replace with vinyl is about a 30 percent increase in cost,” he said. “Staff within the water and wastewater division is recommending we replace these with wood and not go with the vinyl.”
Tustin said the principal advantages of a natural wood fencing, in addition to lower initial cost, include reduced maintenance expenses and relative ease of repair compared to vinyl.
“If a limb falls on the wooden fence and breaks a couple pickets we can go to the local hardware store buy a couple of pickets and put it back up,” he said. “If a limb falls on a vinyl fence, we need the contractor back to make the repairs.”
Additionally Tustin said vinyl fencing typically requires annual power washing.
“It’s in the woods, it’s set back off the roads,” he said. “It’s going to blend in with the community.”
Commissioner Merrill Lockfaw said there could be unanticipated challenges with vinyl.
“This vinyl fencing, if damage occurs, sometimes that particular style may be discontinued and now you can’t get a like panel to put back in,” he said. “I’ve experienced some of that myself with small fencing jobs.”
Tustin also said the vinyl option can be revisited for other more visible pump station locations.
Bertino then voiced reservations about waiving the formal bidding process.
Tustin explained that the county requested proposals from five fence companies and only received two bids. The other bid, from Capitol Heights-based Long Fence, was slightly higher at $25,970.
By comparison, the vinyl option was bid at $33,252 by Grasso and $30,010 from Long Fence.