MADISON TOWNSHIP ─ Madison Township trustees voted Monday night to pay $2,000 to a contractor who demolished and partially cleaned up a site next to the fire station.
The contractor, H&T, was stopped last year by the township’s order after finding suspicious soil at the scene. The township decided to hold $2,000 of the compensation until it could determine if the company could finish the work.
An environmental service company later found toxic substance from soil examples that require certified professionals to transport and dispose of it. H&T is not qualified for the job.
The concrete footers are still in the ground and the concrete slab has been broken and put in a pile.
Three Madison Township trustees have consulted the issue separately with the Richland County Prosecutor’s office. Chairman Trustee Jim Houser said the office suggested the township pay the $2,000. If the contractor filed a lawsuit, the township might end up paying twice as much as the payment, including an attorney’s fee.
Trustee Catherine Swank said she agreed if the contractor took the issue to court, it would cost the township more than $2,000. But she also said she would not agree on any contract like that again.
Trustee Dan Fletcher was the only one who voted against the compensation. He said he does not think H&T is entitled to the $2,000 because the township stopped the work. Besides, the township has insurance with a $1,000 deductible to protect it from lawsuits.
“I’m just flabbergasted that we’re actually considering that (paying the $2,000),” he said.
Fletcher also said he would think a contractor in good standing with customers would not want the pay in full for partially completed work.
In other business, trustees unanimously voted for the 2021 chip and seal resurfacing project on Monday night. Work will be conducted on six roads, including Lepo, River, Wade, Nester, Everett and Pat Lane.
Houser said according to an estimate from the road department, the cost will be more than $33,500. The township will prepare documents for bidding out the project.
Madison Township has appropriated $260,000 for road repair this year. Houser said $105,000 will be used for a joint project with Washington Township. With the $33,500 going to the chip and seal project, the township still has more than $121,500 for paving in 2021.
