A contractor who apparently failed to complete water and sewer lines in Hennessey’s Osborn Addition in 1981 could cost the town about $140,000.

Since the start of the new fiscal year July 1, the town will have to go into its “fund balance (carryover) to pay for it,” said Tiffany Tillman, town administrator.

“I didn’t know about this until yesterday,” Tillman told Utilities Authority trustees at their Thursday night meeting.

“That’s why we need someone with expertise to make these inspections,” said Mayor Bert Gritz.

“The town accepted the final building plans back then,” Tillman said, “but there were no sewer lines installed and there is a water line on the east side, but he wants one on the west side.”

The “he” Tillman referred to is local builder Jay Ladwig, who plans to build two homes on the northwest corner of the addition located in northwest Hennessey on Arapaho Street.

Ladwig was at the Board of Trustees’ two-hour meeting earlier that night, but not when the board met as the Utilities Authority.

Tillman estimated the sewer line might cost up to $115,000 and the waterline extension another $25,000, including contingencies.

The board voted to start the bidding process for the sewer line in the Osborn Addition and the extension of a four-inch water line.

“This is going to make us spend more than we take in this year,” Gritz said.

Tillman said the town would still have some federal money coming in soon.

Present at Utilities Authority Meeting

All board members were present: Vice Mayor Clif Vogt, Trustees Keith Meek, Richard Simunek, Harold Shaw and Gritz.

Other staff at the meeting were Town Clerk Kati Walters, who is also the board secretary and the town’s accounts payable and payroll clerk; Police Officer Matt Bruner, and Tillman.