After a 20-minute discussion last week, the Clearwater Township Board voted to seek bids for chip sealing two township roads and three cul de sacs.

 

Earlier this year, the board authorized Maintenance Supervisor Mike Ludenia to get quotes to chip seal a one-mile section of 125th Ave. and Hart Ave. and a one-mile section of 140th Street. Chip sealing is an alternative to bituminous paving. The process involves using a thin layer of granite chips and oil to form a 1/2” paved surface at about one-fourth the cost.

 

At the last meeting, the board opened the one quote they received from Astech. The quote, including an alternate quote for chip sealing three dead-end cul de sacs, totalled over $100,000.

 

That caused an issue because of Minnesota statutes, which require cities, counties and townships to solicit bids on any project that might be higher than $100,000.

 

Township Attorney Mike Couri said if the board decided to do all the chip sealing, including the cul de sacs, then it would be in violation of statutes.

 

“If you’re thinking of doing the alternates, then you know already it’s above $100,000,” he said.

 

Before the board decided on whether to solicit bids for the project, some residents spoke about the impact of chip sealing. 

 

Carol Halvorson said she has lived on 140th Street for 38 years and doesn’t want it chip sealed.

 

“I have walked and run on that road for 25 years. Chip sealing will be less rough and that means people are going to drive a lot faster,” she said. “That’s dangerous for walkers, bikers and people with baby strollers.”

 

Other people said they also had concerns about higher speeds once the roads were paved.

 

But a few residents on 125th Street said they were in favor of chip sealing because it would prevent dust, save money and be safer.

 

Supervisor Bill Langenbacher said the few roads that have been chip sealed in Silver Creek Twp. are holding up fine after four years and need almost no maintenance.

 

“It eliminates applications of gravel and spraying magnesium chloride. There’s no grading and it eliminates mud that collects on vehicles,” he said. “And it pays for itself in five years in maintenance costs.”

 

The board debated whether to move ahead and chip seal the roads using the quote, or bid the entire project out for both roads and cul de sacs.

 

Langenbacher asked whether soliciting bids would affect the timeline to have the work done. He said the companies usually do chip sealing work in June or July.

 

But Supervisor Dan Mol said if the bids were opened in April, it still gives the contractor time to be ready by June.

 

Supervisor Scott Miller made a motion to solicit bids on the two roads, with the cul de sacs as an alternate bid. The board voted, 3-0 in favor.