Milton approves fences for water tanks, other sites
The Town of Milton has approved a $37,000 contract fencing around its Chandler Street elevated water tank, its Public Works Department maintenance yard and the elevated water tank near Shipbuilders Village.
The panel unanimously approved a contract with Abel Fence LLC of Wilmington at its April 21 meeting.
Most of the money – $30,000 – will come from a 2013 grant from the Department of Homeland Security. The grant stipulates the town has until June 30 to use the money or lose it. In its bid proposal, Abel said the company would complete the project before the deadline.
Mayor Marion Jones called the fencing project a legacy of her administration, and suggested council consider upgrading from standard chain link fencing to decorative aluminum fencing.
Councilman John Collier, after a back-of-the-envelope estimate, determined the upgrade would cost about $6,000 more than the grant provided. Collier asked Councilman Michael Coté, town treasurer, if the town could afford the added expense.
In the end, the council decided the Milton water tower on Chandler Street and Behringer Avenue and the Shipbuilders Village water tower will be enclosed with chain link fencing.
Decorative aluminum fencing will be used to surround the Public Works Department’s utility yard on Union Street.
Coté said it looks like the town would be able to afford the upgrade but he would know more after a review of current capital expenditures in the six-month budget review at the 6:30 p.m., Monday, May 7, Mayor and Town Council meeting.
