EMS selects Miller Construction as contractor on new building

By Eric Young
Managing Editor | editor@ogemawherald.com

Updated: Nov. 2, at 1:24 p.m.

            WEST BRANCH — The EMS Authority voted unanimously to hire Miller Construction of West Branch as the contractor for its new building at a special meeting Nov. 1.

            Miller Construction had the low bid for the project at $470,255 with an additional $19,500 for the metal roof.

            Gary Miller of Miller Construction was on hand at the meeting to discuss details with the board. He said he’s able to start on the project as soon as possible, and forecasted a 180-day timeframe for completion, depending on the weather.

            “I’ve talked to several of the (subcontractors) and everyone’s pretty well in agreeance that they would start next week if that’s what needs to happen,” Miller said.

            Miller asked if the board had considered waiting until spring to start the project. Board member Dave Reasner said he wouldn’t have a problem with a later start date.

            “I can honestly say it wouldn’t bother me any,” Reasner said. “Because anything you do in the wintertime is going to cost more money.”

            However, EMS Director Shirley Buck said she felt the project should be started as soon as possible.

            “We really need to get going on it,” Buck said. “Our situation we have right now, I can share, I know administrativewise and employeewise, it’s very, very, very difficult. It’s causing a lot of issues, personnelwise. My fear with not starting it until spring is then we’re not going to be in until September. That’s a long time.”

            Board member Jack Gregg said if Buck thought the project should be started now, the board should agree.

            “My feeling is if the director says it would be better for the project if we get it going, then we should back her up,” he said.

            Reasner asked Miller if he was comfortable with the 180-day timeframe for completion of the project. Miller said he was, as long as the weather cooperated.

            “You just don’t know,” Miller said. “A couple years ago, we worked up at the bridge there on a warehouse and in February we had six feet of snow and we had to quit for a couple weeks. There’s always that possibility that that could happen.”

            “It’s hard to predict a completion date,” Miller added. “Last year, you could work all winter. But the winter before was nasty. I’m just thinking out loud, when does the 180 days put us? And I’m going to be pretty frank here, was there a penalty clause in that on the timeframe?”

            Several members of the board responded that there was not a penalty clause in the contract. Chairman Chad Lucas said with the weather, it would be hard to stick to a set deadline.

            “Especially with the time of year that we’re working with here, I don’t foresee us leaning on you hard that way,” Lucas said. “Because, like you say, this time of year you could get up tomorrow and we could have a foot of snow.”

            Buck informed the board that in addition to the costs from the bid, there would be additional costs for the project that weren’t included in the bid forms the authority put out, including flooring, gas line extensions and asphalt.

            Buck said the project would be ready to start as soon as details were finalized with the bank.

            A groundbreaking ceremony will be scheduled at a later date.

            Prior to the selection of the contractor, Lloyd Saunders, the EMS Authority vice-chairman and owner of LTK Builders, withdrew his bid due to an error made by a subcontractor.