ORANGE — The water tower construction on Governor Dukakis Drive is moving at a healthy pace, according to the project manager.
Mark Wick, of Hartford, Connecticut-based Associated Construction Co., told Selectboard members last week that workers broke ground in September, when a foundation was laid.
“Things are on schedule. We’ve actually made some very good progress,” he said. “The tank started in November and the tank is progressing fairly quickly.”
Orange residents voted at a Special Town Meeting in December 2024 to accept land from Seaman Paper, a pulp and paper company at 151 Governor Dukakis Drive, and to accept or take land from Power Fund Partners to enable the water tower’s construction. The Selectboard voted unanimously to enter into a $3.6 million contract with Associated Construction Co. for the project.
Seaman Paper has reportedly been paying exorbitant insurance premiums due to insufficient water capacity. The company enlisted the town’s help, as officials believe a water tower could incentivize other businesses to move into the industrial park. The company committed $790,000 to the project.
An initial $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money was set aside to secure a matching MassWorks grant for the work. In June 2024, Annual Town Meeting voters gave the town permission to borrow up to $1 million if needed. The town also committed its leftover $835,700 ARPA balance, bringing the total ARPA commitment to nearly $1.9 million to reduce potential borrowing.
Wick invited town officials to contact him for a site tour.
During a presentation, he showed a photo of Steve Canning, the town’s wiring inspector, conducting a site visit. Canning offered guidance on code compliance and how to fit the electrical gear and control panels inside the small building.
“He came out and indicated that the original proposal of putting a piece of equipment in place wasn’t going to work and pass muster, so we found an alternative and it saved us from redoing some work and not passing inspection,” Wick noted. “He’s been very helpful and been out [to the site] several times.”
Wick said a backup generator is expected to arrive in about two months, as there was a six- to seven-month wait.