January 09, 2025
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Sandwich approves additional $47K in engineering costs for Latham Street

By Eric Schelkopf
Work is winding down on a $3.4 million project to replace and widen a portion of North Latham Street in Sandwich. The project began in March.

The Sandwich City Council has reached an agreement regarding additional construction engineering costs for the North Latham Street project. (Eric Schelkopf)

The Sandwich City Council has reached an agreement regarding additional construction engineering costs for the North Latham Street project.

At the Jan. 6 City Council meeting, City Council members approved giving engineering firm Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick an additional $47,980 in construction engineering services for the project. Doing so increases the previously agreed upon contract from $256,532 to $304,512.

The increase is a compromise after the City Council previously voted down a $62,565 increase. 1st Ward Alderman Bill Littlebrant and 2nd Ward Alderman Adam Arnett worked with Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick on reaching the agreement.

“We came up with the best number that I think works for both parties,” Arnett said. “We saved the city a decent chunk of change.”

Fellow council members, including 2nd Ward Alderwoman Rebecca Johnson and 3rd Ward Alderman Bill Fritsch, thanked them for their efforts.

“They seem satisfied with the result, so I’m going to support it,” Fritsch said.

Sandwich City Administrator Geoff Penman had said Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick was seeking additional money because the project took longer than anticipated.

The project originally was set to begin in April 2023, but didn’t get underway until March 2024 because of utility relocation and realignment. The $3.4 million project was funded by local, state and federal funds.

As part of the project, more than a mile of existing pavement was widened and replaced. The project runs from the railroad tracks at East Center Street north to Sandhurst Drive.

Sewer and water improvements also were part of the project. The road was reopened to traffic in both directions in September.

“We kind of widened the road a little bit from where the utilities were,” Sandwich Mayor Todd Latham said when previously talking about the project. “We put all brand-new water infrastructure in there. I know some of the residents will see better water pressure and better regulation of the water and delivery to their homes. And on the sewer side, same thing. We’re putting in some larger lines. Everything will be brand new, so we’ll have better drainage. And, ultimately, it will be a brand-new road. All the people who live on that particular street or drive through there will see the benefit of that project.”