HORTONVILLE – The Town of Delaware accepted the low bid last Wednesday for the installation of meters on the hamlet of Callicoon’s water project.

The bid for installation came in at $197,000 for installing 152 meters – or $1,296 per meter.

George Oram, of Oram Contracting, questioned the board and Delaware Engineering’s Bill Brown on the acceptance of the low bid.

Oram, who was the second lowest bidder, pointed out several irregularities in the low bid as it pertained to the request for bids.

Town Attorney Ken Klein said, “We reviewed all the bids and reviewed this minor irregularatory [in the low bid]. This bid was substantially lower than the next lowest bid.”

Supervisor Scott DuBois said he took the advice of his professionals – the town attorney and water project engineer – in presenting the bid for approval to the board.

Brown said he expects construction on the project, “to begin starting late summer. It is a mandate of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) that meters be installed.

In other business, the building inspector’s report noted that the Town of Delaware has issued 51 building permits so far in 2024.

The board also voted to appoint Rebekah Chreshkoff as the Alternate Upper Delaware Council (UDC) representative to assist Harold Roeder.