The Lantana Town Council hopes a newly approved $711,765 contract will pull the plug on a drainage problem at North Atlantic Drive and Beach Curve Road on Hypoluxo Island that has spanned decades.
The winning bid, quoted by Intercounty Engineering Inc. of Pompano Beach, was the low offer of four bids submitted in late July in response to a town solicitation.
The drainage improvement project to correct the problem is expected to take at least six months, and will be followed by a long-awaited road paving project, according to Town Manager Mike Bornstein.
The area has chronically flooded for 30 or 40 years, according to Bornstein, who like Mayor David Stewart recalled the waters claiming at least two vehicles — including a police car — and on occasion providing a venue for boater-towed water skiers.
Frustrated neighbors recently came out to a budget meeting ahead of the drainage contract bidding deadline, learning that the money had been earmarked in the current budget.
Separately, council members approved an agreement with the Lantana Athletic Association that allows the association to use and maintain the Lantana Sports Complex for the 2011-12 year.
The new contract is an extension of one last year — a move that allowed youth sports to continue at the complex while reducing the financial burden on the town.
The town previously had spent approximately $400,000 a year to operate the complex, but the agreement has reduced the town’s obligation to less than half of that sum, Bornstein said, noting its costs include debt payments.
The LAA would use fields at the complex, including the Quadraplex and Field Two, to provide baseball and softball for the public. In exchange for use of the fields, the LAA maintains the fields and pays for use of electricity, including lighting.
Rob Murphy, LAA president, said nearly 270 students used the fields through his organization last year.
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