Bluffton council learned on Monday that Beaverdam Contracting is the apparent low bidder in the North Dixie Highway water-sewer-interceptor project. Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator, told council that of the nine firms bidding, the Beaverdam company's bid was about 14 percent below the engineer's estimate.

The engineer's estimate is $958,776. Beaverdam Contracting's bid was $822,073. Mehaffie said that he anticipates action by council at its next meeting.

"(Awarding) the contract is contingent upon the annexation of the area," said Mehaffie.

Another project recently bid was the demolition of the water plant on Triplett Drive. Mehaffie said that J.D. Snyder bid $17,500 and Don Snyder bid $21,000 to remove the structure, which is located just north of Steinmetz soccer field. Mehaffie said he wants to area cleaned up by Aug. 7.

The village owns the property and Steinmetz Field. The soccer field is leased to the school district.

Traffic control box

The traffic control box in front of the town hall was recently damaged in a two-car accident. Council agreed to completely replace the box at a cost of $10,835. The insurance companies involved recommended the replacement.

They advised the village to replace the box so that if another accident occurred at the corner those involved could not claim that the box was defective. The control box was installed last summer during the streetscape program.

Council heard an update on the fire-EMS building. Robert Neff has talked with the departments about long-range plans for the building. No estimates have been presented. One of the issues is that a portion of the roof leaks.

Other action

Council okayed two emergency ordinances. In one the village will become a member of the Blanchard Watershed Conservancy District. In the other, the village entered an agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The ordinance provides funds to replace ash trees in the village.