IDA fires sewerage consultant

The project, which was set to be completed this past April, is almost a year behind schedule, according to the IDA. The authority based the firing date on a Sept. 23, 2009 letter which executive director Marvin White sent to Armentrout, stating that the IDA was not happy with their performance and would end their contract.

White said it has been “almost a nightmare” to work with the firm on the project, whose contract began in August, 2006.

He noted that he and IDA chairman Bruce Azevedo, along with utility director Steve Shaw, have met with engineer Charles Armentrout on several occasions to express their concerns over repetitive problems that included not following board instructions.

“We were just not getting the things we need, despite several meetings,” White noted. “This project should have been completed April 15, 2009…with every ‘i’ dotted and every ‘t’ crossed.” He also noted that $60,000 in extra expenses have been paid out in the last six months due to the delays.

Some progress, such as grading, work on the pond site and driveway to the sewer plant site is underway, White noted.

The board also agreed that IDA engineer Phil Munro and utility director Steve Shaw should now oversee the completion of the project, with the assistance of engineering firm Peeples and Quigley.

White said completion of the sewer project is now scheduled for the spring 2010.