Village of Greenwich Board Asks Contractor to Provide Proof of Claims for Reimbursement after Added Items to Water Project Total $250,000
GREENWICH — Cost overruns and disputed contractor claims tied to the village’s multi-phase water improvement project dominated discussion at the Village of Greenwich Board of Trustees meeting Monday, Jan. 12, as officials outlined concerns about documentation, change orders, and the need to protect the village in the event of a state audit.
Roy A. Richardson Jr., P.E., Associate in Water Resources for Barton&Loguidice reported that while pipelines for both contractors are now installed and operational, final costs remain unresolved, particularly with contractor TKC. Trustees were told TKC has submitted a final change order request of roughly $285,000, while village engineers calculate that approximately $143,000 of that work can be justified under contract unit prices and documented conditions. The remaining difference, estimated at more than $140,000, remains in dispute.
Officials said the disagreement centers on whether claimed costs should be paid as time-and-materials or whether they fall under existing bid items. Trustees expressed concern that some labor and equipment charges appeared excessive when averaged on a per-foot or per-day basis, noting comparisons to other village projects completed by the same contractor without similar issues.
Trustee Willy Grimmke stressed that any final settlement must be defensible under audit, emphasizing that contractors must clearly substantiate why bid prices would not apply before additional payments are approved. Village officials directed engineers to request detailed backup documentation from TKC and to schedule a follow-up meeting once that information is provided.
Mayor Amanda Hurley said the board’s goal is to reach a fair resolution while ensuring transparency and fiscal accountability. Trustees agreed no final action would be taken until all claims are fully supported and reviewed.
In contrast, officials reported that work by the other contractor on Water Improvement Project 1B is largely complete, with only minor sidewalk and landscaping corrections expected in the spring under warranty. Final reconciliation of quantities is expected to bring that contract slightly below its original bid amount.
Related to water infrastructure, engineers also updated the board on the village wells project, which is being prepared for submission to the New York State Department of Health and Department of Environmental Conservation. The plan would replace pumps in two primary wells while retaining an existing well for redundancy, a configuration intended to meet state capacity requirements without seeking new water sources. Submission of the full package, including a request to modify the village’s permitted water withdrawal, is expected this week.
Beyond the water project, trustees addressed a failure at the wastewater treatment plant, where two original pumps went offline. After discussion, the board agreed to replace the original industrial-grade pumps rather than continue relying on temporary sump pumps, despite the estimated $5,000 per-pump cost.
The board also approved adding internet service at the sewer plant to allow for remote monitoring, selecting a 36-month service plan with a $99 installation fee.
Outside of the extended discussion on water system cost overruns, the Village of Greenwich Board of Trustees addressed a wide range of routine business, department reports, appointments, and upcoming planning items at its Monday, Jan. 12 meeting.
Trustees approved vouchers across multiple funds, including Water Fund vouchers 52 through 56 totaling $3,418.12, G Fund vouchers 45 through 50 totaling $9,177.88, and H Fund vouchers 14 through 16 totaling $79,636.10. The board also approved the draft minutes from the Dec. 9, 2025 meeting.
The December fire report showed a total of 41 alarms, including 27 EMS calls in District One, three service calls, and 10 mutual aid responses. Fire and EMS response time totaled 93.5 hours, with 126.5 hours of training and 212 hours of activities reported for the month. Training included communications, radio operations, firefighter survival skills, and annual driver training. Members also assisted with holiday events, including escorting Santa during community activities.
Police activity for December included 12 DCJS-reportable cases, bringing the yearly total to 161. Cases involved domestic incidents, larceny, vehicle and traffic law violations, trespass, harassment, and mental health calls. Officers made six arrests during the month and logged 213 calls with county dispatch. Three motor vehicle accidents were investigated in December. Officers also coordinated a holiday toy drive that provided donations to local schools.
The Department of Public Works reported 140 hours of overtime during the month, attributed primarily to repeated nuisance snowstorms. Wastewater treatment averaged 31,936 gallons per day, totaling just under one million gallons for the month. The water department averaged 184,700 gallons pumped daily. DPW crews installed the village ice rink at Gannon Park and completed several equipment repairs, including work on sidewalk and plowing equipment.
A youth services update highlighted a successful “Sundays with Santa” event held in collaboration with the library and local organizations. Plans are underway to launch a homeschool program during daytime hours and revive a teen night program. Staff are also working to renew collaborations with the YMCA on fitness and youth programming and to coordinate future community events, including the Halloween parade.
Mayor Amanda Hurley reported that the village’s updated zoning code was formally adopted in December. Hard copies of the new code and zoning map will be distributed to members of the joint planning board and Zoning Board of Appeals, and a virtual training session is planned later this month to review the amendments. Trustees discussed how zoning-related questions, including those involving accessory dwelling units, will be handled during the transition period.
The board received an update from the tree committee, which met for the first time this year and has submitted the village’s 2025 Tree City USA application. Plans include celebrating Arbor Day on April 24 with a tree giveaway in Gannon Park. The committee has ordered 100 saplings from the state nursery and is considering additional plantings on Main Street and in village parks, as well as replacement of trees damaged or removed in recent years.
Representatives of the Greenwich Gardeners reported that the organization has achieved federal nonprofit status. The group outlined plans to expand garden spaces, incorporate shrubs, introduce drip irrigation to conserve water and volunteer labor, and add seasonal decorative elements in village parks. Educational programs and a garden tour are also planned. Trustees agreed to work with the group to develop clearer protocols for making changes to village-owned property.
Several appointments were approved during the meeting. Audrey Fisher was appointed as an alternate to the joint Zoning Board of Appeals, and Giuliana Di Prima was appointed as an alternate to the joint planning board. Aaron Northrup was appointed joint ZBA clerk, and Sarah Haynes was named chair of the joint ZBA.
Trustees also discussed winter sidewalk regulations, noting that while the village plows sidewalks as a courtesy, property owners remain responsible under local law for snow and ice removal in front of their properties.
Looking ahead, the board scheduled its first budget workshop for Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. at Village Hall. Trustees also set the village election for Wednesday, March 18, with polls open from noon to 9 p.m. at the Community Center on Academy Street.
Village Clerk Jane Dowling discussed preliminary plans for a gradual transition in the clerk’s office, including the potential hiring and training of a part-time deputy clerk later this year.
The board approved park and parade permits for the Union Village Festival, pending execution of a contract, and later entered executive session for a personnel matter, with no further public business conducted.