By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

Newberry County Council hold up pinwheels in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. The pinwheels are a representation of the prevention month.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_IMG_0358.jpgNewberry County Council hold up pinwheels in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. The pinwheels are a representation of the prevention month. Laurie Renwick | For The Newberry Observer

NEWBERRY — Newberry County Council approved five bids for Newberry County projects that include Economic Development office space, a new rescue vehicle, firing range repairs, parking lot repairs and Transfer Station Scale Replacement.

The first bid accepted was for Cannon Associates for $146,800, this project would be for Economic Development office space, as recommended by the Economic Development Committee. The other bids included W.E. Baker & Sons for $150,975, R.J. Dean Construction for $152,000, Satchel Construction for $159,000, Henley’s Construction for $159,577 and Highlands Construction $180,000.

“This would be for the renovations of the Newberry Square Strip Mall, at the Piedmont Technical College location, for the use of the Economic Development office,” Crystal Waldrop, purchasing director for Newberry County, said during Wednesday’s meeting.

The original construction budget for this project, which is in the current year’s budget, was $120,000. The factor influencing the cost increase is an increase in size over the original plans, 1,700 square feet from 1,000 square feet, along with higher level finishes, such as built-in shelving and two restrooms.

Newberry County staff has proposed sufficient funding in the fiscal year 2016-17 spending plan to cover the difference between the original budget and the accepted bid.

Councilman Scott Cain made a motion to accept the low bid of Cannon Associates and Councilman Leslie Hipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

A bid from Rosenbauer Fire Apparatus for $247,661 was accepted for a Little Mountain Rescue Squad Fire Apparatus, which is a rescue vehicle, over the bid from First Class Fire Emergency Vehicles for $284,670.

“This will replace the rescue truck they have now, and it was a budgeted item,” said Tommy Long, emergency services coordinator.

The bid was approved unanimously after Cain made a motion and Councilman Kirksey Koon seconded.

Satterfield Construction was approved to conduct the repairs for the Newberry County Law Enforcement Firing Range for $24,500. Satterfield was the only bidder for this project and Waldrop said that they met all the specs for the project.

For the repairs, asphalt paving will be applied to walking and shooting areas, and improvements will be made for identified drainage problems.

Cain made a motion to accept this bid and Hipp seconded, the project was approved unanimously.

Five bids were received for repairs needed to the Treasurer/Auditor building. These bids include Washington Trucking, $16,336; Satterfield Construction, $16,500; Schumpert Paving & Sons, $21,551; AOS, $23,448; and Willingham, $25,000.

This project would entail full-depth repairs on identified holes and to topcoat the asphalt parking lot with one and a half inches of asphalt. The parking lot will be given a “crown” to shed water more efficiently. Striping is also included in the bid price.

Councilman Bill Waldrop made a motion to accept the bid from Washington Trucking, based in Winnsboro. Koon seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Due to age and wear on the current scale system, repairs and frequent and accuracy has come into question. Two bids were put in to replace the Transfer Station Scale — Scale Solutions for $49,760 and Everest Scale for $72,248

“Why so much of a difference for the same quality?” Councilman Henry Livingston asked.

Crystal Waldrop said part of the difference was because of a difference in brand. Solutions brand would be B-Tech and Everest brand is Toledo. Ervin West, director of facilities management, added that the difference could be that Everest would need to work weekends, and they would have to pay overtime.

The bid from Scale Solutions was approved unanimously after Cain made a motion and Hipped seconded.

Council also passed first reading of the following ordinances:

• Amending the 2015-16 fiscal year budget to provide for revised revenues and expenditures pertaining to emergency medical service

• To provide the issuance and sale of General Obligation Bonds not exceeding $2.1 million in principal amount to renovate the Newberry County Detention Center

• To provide appropriations for the 2016-17 fiscal year budget. The proposed budget is at $23,871,762.

• To provide appropriations for the 2016-17 fiscal year for Newberry County Library, Piedmont Technical College and Newberry Agency for Disabilities and Special Needs.

• To rezone a one and thirty-nine hundredths acres real estate parcel from Single Family Residential to General Commercial.

In other business, council passed a resolution o centralize all summary court proceedings at the magistrate offices at Louis Rich Road. Waldrop made a motion to accept the resolution and Cain seconded.

Kenneth McBride, county director for DSS, made an appearance to promote April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and give an update on DSS in Newberry County.

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.