Council approves payment increase for 'western outfall' sewer upgrade

The price tag to upgrade a portion of the "western outfall" trunk sewer will increase $89,802, hiking the price of the project by 18 percent.

The Watertown City Council agreed Monday to approve a change order paying Marcellus Construction Co., Liverpool. The project cost increases from $504,704 to $594,506, largely because of additional labor charges.

City Engineer Kurt W. Hauk said crews encountered obstacles not identified in the city's records, creating more work. The project upgraded the trunk sewer, which runs along Barben and Butterfield avenues and Holcomb and Chestnut streets, from an 18-inch main to a 24-inch main. Work already is complete on the project.

"They're in there trying to get the work done as fast as they can, just as a general rule," Mr. Hauk said.

The council unanimously approved the resolution and amended a bond ordinance increasing the amount the city will borrow for the project from $245,000 to $325,000.