The project to upgrade the Sherman Wastewater Treatment Plant has moved another step toward construction.

SHERMAN — The Sherman Village Board has set the next phase of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project into motion by awarding two contracts and choosing to rebid one project area at the board’s meeting this month.

Sherman Mayor Colleen Meeder told board members that five bids were received for general contracting, one for mechanical and one for electrical.

“All bids came in higher than previously budgeted,” she said. “The bid for electrical construction far exceeded the engineers estimate for the proposed work.”

The board passed a resolution to award Contract No. 1A for general construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project to H&K Services Inc. in the amount of $4,192,000.

The board rejected all bids for Contract 1B for electrical construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project. The resolution rejecting all bids states that “the village believes that if the project is re-bid the village will receive a lower bid price and more contractors may provide bids.”

The board passed a resolution awarding Contract 1C for mechanical construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project to Allied Mechanical Inc. in the amount of $151,000.

Overall, Meeder said the village anticipates a $763,000 increase in the budget, before re-bids.

“The bond resolution will need to be amended to reflect the increase in project costs,” she said.

Jay Irwin, Wastewater Treatment Plant chief operator, reminded trustees that the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act is also contributing 25% of the remaining unfunded balance.

In a related matter, Meeder asked for and received board approval to accept the insurance proposal from Trident Insurance, effective Nov. 11 and to authorize payment not to exceed $18,500. Meeder said the premium last year was $14,000, this year it is $18,000 and next year, with the addition of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Water Improvements, it will be $30,000.

“And remember that premiums overall are going up 9% to 10%,” she added.

In other business, Meeder gave board meembers an update on the progress of the electrical charging stations. The state DEC awarded the village a rebate of $217,200, she said. However, that funding is not guaranteed until the contract is formally executed.

“It cannot formally move to execution until the round closes and the Comptroller’s Office has approved procurement,” she said.

Meeder told board members that the village will be conducting the State Environmental Quality Review Act for the electrical vehicle charging stations. She also noted that the project is reimbursed quarterly, and, since the time between construction and reimbursement could be six months, there will be a need for a $200,000 bond for one year.

In other matters of State Environmental Quality Reviews, the board approved a motion to declare the village of Sherman as lead agency for the SEQRA of the regional biosolids processing project with Griffin Residuals. Trustees also passed a resolution stating that, after a thorough environmental review, the proposed Solar Liberty Sherman Project has been determined to not have a significant adverse impact on the environment.

In other business, board members approved a resolution authorizing the acquisition of 69 acres of land at a maximum cost of $270,000 for the solar array project. They further authorized the issuance of up to $240,000 bond anticipation notes and serial bonds for the Village to pay a portion of the cost.

Trustees also accepted a proposal for Meeder to sign an agreement with Camoin Associates, Economic Development for consulting services for the Downtown Market Analysis, not to exceed the budgeted $50,000.

The board also accepted, with appreciation for eight years of service, a letter of resignation from Trustee Donna Lee Higginbotham, effective immediately. Her term was to end on Dec. 6. The board subsequently approved the fulfillment of the trustee vacancy with Gary Emory, as a result of election results from Nov. 2, to be effective through the end of Higginbothom’s term.