Barry purchases new sewer jetter; accepts uniform service bid from Cintas
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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE
At its Monday, April 4, meeting, the Barry city council voted to purchase a Jet Vac Environmental sewer jetter for $77,582.
The bid was significantly higher than a bid received from American Pride Distributors for $42,935. Barry City Administrator Jeff Hogge said, however, that the two pieces of equipment were not comparable, and the Jet Vac Environmental machine would better meet the city’s needs.
“It was the higher price, but it provided more of what we wanted,” Hogge said. “It has a much bigger water tank, and it allows us to use the attachments that we currently have that we like.”
In addition, the council voted to switch its uniform contract from Aramark to Cintas.
“We’re going to switch from Aramark to Cintas for the next three years,” Hogge said. “Their price was considerably better.”
According to Hogge, the Cintas bid came in at just over $30 per week, while the Aramark bid came in at approximately $100 per week.
The council also approved Jane Ralph to serve a four year term on the Barry public library’s board.
In other business, council members received all of the sand volleyball equipment from Bow Lake Golf Course, and they approved constructing a sand volleyball court on the west side of the YMCA property in order to host sand volleyball tournaments. The Bow Lake property recently sold to a group of Pittsfield-based investors, who have unofficially stated their intention to construct housing and a hotel on the property.
Hogge said that sand volleyball competitions at the golf course enjoyed strong community support.
“Anytime they had a tournament, they had a fair number of teams competing,” Hogge said. “It was something we all wanted to continue.”
Hogge went on to say that the city is accepting façade improvement and interior improvement grant proposals from business and property owners. Grant awards are drawn from the city’s TIF fund.
Façade improvement proposals are due April 8, however Hogge indicated that the city may move the deadline back.
“We’re probably going to move that date back,” Hogge said. “People are having a hard time finding contractors to do the work or even put in a bid.”
The façade improvement grant allows for work to improve windows, entryways, exterior walls and roofs.
The interior improvement grant has no deadline for application. Grant awards may be used for materials only. Property owners must account for the labor costs of the interior renovations.
Each grant program awards up to $25,000 per year.
The city of Barry is also seeking a public works crew member. Interested individuals should contact the Barry city hall at 217-335-2215.
