Ball players get backstop repairs

The backstops at the ball diamonds in Cramahe will be repaired – but not by the company originally expected to do the job.

The Community Services Department gathered quotes for the repair to fencing and backstop at Cramahe Township ball diamonds A and B in Rotary Centennial Park. Funding for the project was included in the recently approved 2009 budget.

Two quotes were received ranging in price from $14,500.00 to 19,500.00. The scope of work includes replacement of approximately 400 feet of outfield fence and the installation one new backstop.

At Cramahe Council on April 21, Community Services Director, Dan O’Brien recommended Walsh Fencing and its bid of $14,500

Work was scheduled to begin during the last week of April or first week of May.

That was Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the story changed.

Mr. O’Brien gave further examination of the quotations which were sought before he began employment with the township. The Community Services Director realized the two firms, Walsh and Blackthorne Fencing were not quoting for the same work.

When the low bidder withdrew from the project Mr. O’Brien asked Blackthorne to join him for a site visit. Once the scope of work was clarified for Blackthorne, the bid changed to within a few dollars of the original lowest bid.

At that point the director reported to council and scheduled the work for early May.

With the situation now in hand, the Community Services Director commented, “I understand that this project has been on the books for some time and not been completed so I am happy to get this done.”