Independently owned since 1905

Plains lagoon work begins

Prospect Construction, Inc. of Washington started operations last week on the construction of the Town of Plains new sewage treatment plant.

Workers created a staging area for equipment, built a 3,000-foot dirt road, and are in the midst of removing some 47,000 cubic yards of dirt from the place where the three sewage cells will be positioned at the site just north of Helterline Lane about an eighth of a mile northeast of the present sewer treatment site at the end of Helterline.

Ed Schepp, the project superintendent, said they're about two-thirds of the way done in removing the top layer of dirt, which will go to a depth of about 12 feet. Start up was delayed because of county road weight restrictions, but Schepp was certain they would be done by the end of September.

Prospect Construction, Inc. of Puyallup, Washington, and Missoula, was one of three companies to pursue the project, winning the bid at $6,152,752. The other bidders were S&L Underground, Inc. of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, with a bid of $6,697,053, and Dick Anderson Construction of Missoula with a bid of $6,803,710. The work is being done with grant money and a low interest loan. Prospect Construction, Inc. has hired about two dozen people for the job, including some residents from Thompson Falls, Trout Creek and Heron.

The town received the deed for the 10-acre property in January after agreeing on a price with Nick and Erika Lawyer for $80,000. With court and other associated costs, the final price tag for the town to the Lawyers was $472,000. There were some issues to be worked out between the two parties, but Mayor Dan Rowan was certain they could be settled soon.

 

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