M'burgh Selects Vendor to Replace Scribner Sidewalks

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - Middleburgh village officials Monday selected a vendor to replace sidewalks on Scribner Avenue later this summer, but it was not the low bidder.

The village received two bids for the work, The low bid was from Schoenecker Construction at $24,684 and the other bid was $29,000 from MSL Construction. Board members awarded the bid to MSL.

Schoenecker Construction redid the sidewalks on Wells Avenue and some other streets in the village last year.

Board members cited two reasons for selecting the higher bid.

Trustee Sheryl Adams said she was impressed with the complete and detailed MSL bid package while Trustee Bob Tinker was more blunt on why he selected MSL.

When Mr. Schoenecker worked on Wells and other streets last year, Trustee Tinker said, he received comments about offensive language and some people being cursed at.

"I don't like that. We don't need to put up with that nonsense."

Trustee Amanda Fernandez said she agreed with Trustee Tinker and also noted the better bid presentation.

In May, Middleburgh village officials thought they had a vendor who would replace the sidewalks on Scribner Avenue. Unfortunately, the contractor was unable to meet the village's timeline for project completion.

Last month, village board members agreed to seek new proposals for the project. The bids were opened on August 1. The funds for the will come from the village CHIPs funds.

The work should take three to five days, with removal, prep, and pouring, Mayor a Tim Knight said. The sidewalk work will make traffic "more difficult" on the street, Mayor Knight added.

"We are optimistic it will be (done) this month," said Mayor Knight. "The contractor is coordinating with the concrete delivery and further notice will be posted on the Village website and mailed to affected residents on Scribner Avenue when a firm timeline is established."

The project could not be completed last fall because "we ran out of good weather," officials said.

Village officials last August approved a bid to replace the sidewalks.

The Scribner Avenue sidewalk replacement project will be four feet wide by six inches deep. There will be one blind detector tile at the corner. The sidewalk will be 375 feet with no curb.