Newton Approves $22,850 Change Order for Tennis Court Light Pole Removal
URGENT UPDATE: The Newton City Council has just approved a significant change order, allocating $22,850 to relocate a light pole that encroached onto a neighboring property by just 18 inches. This decision, made during a council meeting, addresses a critical error found during construction at the new Aurora Park tennis courts.
The council’s unanimous 6-0 vote ensures that the 50-foot light pole and its base will be removed and reinstalled in compliance with city property boundaries. The original project, awarded to Kline Electric in June 2023 for $346,146, has faced multiple challenges, with this being the latest in a series of adjustments affecting the total cost.
City officials confirmed that the base will be relocated to a new site north and east of its current position, entirely within city property lines. The need for this change arose from an expanded tennis court footprint approved after the project’s final design, highlighting the complexities involved in municipal construction projects.
As of now, the city anticipates no further change orders will arise as the project nears completion. However, this change order signals ongoing issues with the tennis courts project at Aurora Park, which has seen a total of four change orders since its inception in summer, escalating costs by a staggering $227,932 and bringing the overall resurfacing project total to $667,683.
Residents and stakeholders are urged to stay informed as the city finalizes these developments, with the council committed to ensuring all work complies with regulations. The impact of these changes is significant for local tennis enthusiasts and the broader community, as these facilities are essential for recreation and youth engagement.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the city works to resolve these challenges effectively.
