Sewer upgrade inches closer

Town of Keystone board trustees approved an engineering cost proposal for its sewer upgrade project. The move came at the June 18 town board meeting.

The project overview describes the upsizing of 5,200 linear feet of existing 10-inch sewer line from Nelson’s to the sewer plant on Hwy. 40. The new 16-inch line will be able to accommodate the proposed KBarS expansion project as well as future growth of the town. The $599,000 cost proposal covers surveying, design, bidding and part construction administration services. 

Town engineer Zach Grapentine outlined the project and explained the timeline, indicating Hwy. 40 will be shut down to one lane and he hopes to have the project begin this fall.  

Trustee Will Parks wanted to know if it was customary to have a performance clause in the contract. 

“I don’t want it to be not in there, otherwise the town loses control of it,” said Parks about the performance clause.

Grapentine said that this task order was just an engineering budget scope and fee.

Parks also raised questions about materials cost with Grapentine, saying there is a 20 percent contingency for unknowns if costs of materials increase. He added the goal of the engineering estimate is to be the high bidder. Board president Casey McNulty said the town applied for financing based on the engineer’s estimates.

Trustee Matt Fullilove was the lone vote against the proposal, raising objections about the financing of the project.

Trustees also discussed the cemetery fence project and the new estimate of the project from contractor Marty Hunsaker. Hunsaker originally agreed to do the project for about $12,000 in December and said it will now cost the town about $17,000 due to increases in post costs. Trustee David Cofoid said posts have gone up between $4 and $7 adding, “If he had bought them when it was bid, it wouldn’t be a problem.”

Trustees did not think the town could get a better bid for the project, with public works supervisor Jerry Przybylski saying, “I don’t know if we can get it down any cheaper.”

McNulty wanted to meet in the middle with the estimate with business owner Tammy Hunsaker, urging the board to spend the additional money by saying, “This is the kind of crap that’s ruining the town.”

Parks again wanted to know if a completion date was in the contract versus leaving it open ended. Trustees approved the additional $5,000 with a 90-day completion date for the project. 

Przybylski is getting quotes on a generator for city hall ahead of the proposed Black Hills Energy Power Shut Off (PSPS) plan. The town board did approve $3,679.86 for a fuel tank at the sewer plant for more fuel storage for the proposed PSPS.

Przybylski also patched the town reservoir “just in time.” 

Trustees will consider a flagpole at the Keystone Museum after Keystone Area Historical Society board member Dennis Kling asked the board for one, saying, “Several people have mentioned it’s a schoolhouse without a flagpole.” 

No action was taken, but this item will appear on a  future agenda.

The city visitor information center (VIC) is seeing increased foot traffic and will have new vinyl signs installed to give it a fresher look. 

Discussion about the Sturgis Motorcyle Rally could result in  changes to create bike-only parking along Hwy. 16A in town as well as having the 15 minute parking next to the VIC be for sheriff’s deputies only for the duration of the rally. 

The next Keystone Town Board meeting takes place July 2 at 6 p.m.