Rogersville BMA approves low bid of $225K for paving

The Rogersville Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted Tuesday to accept a low bid of $225,405 to pave a large section of Depot Street, the Hale Springs Inn rear parking lot and pubic access lane, and three other small side streets.

Each of those three small roads connect College Street and Broadway Street including South Brownlow Street, Phillips Street, and Green Street.

Low bidder Duracap Asphalt Paving Company of Knoxville offered itemized bids for each of the streets in the bid including: Phillips Street for $10,975; S. Brownlow Street for $8,420; Green Street for $34,835; the Hale Springs Inn parking lot and city right-of-way for $89,775; Depot Street from Broadway to Washington Street was $53,400; and Depot Street from Washington Street to Kyle Street was $28,000.

There were a total of four bids, and each of the three other bids were substantially higher than what was offered by Duracap. Alderman Brock Gladson noted that Duracap has an asphalt plant nearby in Bean Station.

Summers-Taylor Inc. of Johnson City had an overall bid of $332,000; W-L Construction and Paving from Abingdon, Va. had an overall bid of $332,381; and TRI of East TN Inc. from Knoxville had an overall bid of $343,226.

Public works director Mark Worley noted that Duracap did Rogersville’s street paving last year and there were no complaints or problems. The BMA approved Duracap’s bid pending Worley looking at the bid to make sure it meets all the specs.

National Day of Prayer: The BMA voted 5-0 in favor of allowing the annual National Day of Prayer to take place as usual on Courthouse Square on May 2 at noon. The event takes place in the quarter of the square adjacent to the Hale Springs Inn. City Recorder Glenn Hutchens noted that no city streets will be closed. Vice Mayor Brian Hartness asked that there be a strong police presence due to the increased foot traffic downtown during the event.

Tree Board appointments: The Board voted 4-0 to appoint Laura Hartness and Carla Sells to the Rogersville Tree Board, which meets the third Monday of each month at 3:30 p.m. at Rogersville City Hall. Vice Mayor Brian Hartness abstained due to his wife being one of the appointees.