Engineering firm selected for Troy water system project

Troy city councilors have hired an engineering firm to oversee much-needed repairs to the municipality’s water system.

Bids for the water work came down to Evensen Engineering and Consulting Inc. and Robert Peccia and Associates, two firms with offices in Kalispell. Pointing to the city’s history of working with the latter company, councilors approved RPA’s request for proposal Oct. 20.

In the discussion leading up to the decision, Tracy Rebo, city clerk and treasurer, said Troy had worked with RPA since about 2008. She noted that the firm appeared to have more collective experience than Evensen Engineering.

“I do like both of their presentations, but RPA seems to have more people,” said Rebo.

Nevertheless, Evensen Engineering came highly recommended to the city, according to Mayor Dallas Carr.

“They’re an up and coming company and there’s only a few of them, but they do good work,” he said.

Approving RPA’s proposal marked the latest in a series of steps city officials have cleared to get a major water project off the ground, according to Carr. After a pipe burst near Stein's Market, the city spent over a year securing a route for a replacement line.

The new pipe will hook into the city’s existing water system on Sixth Street, cut through Troy Public Schools and private property to the St. Regis Haul Road and terminate near the Stein's Market parking lot. The most time-intensive part of the process so far has been securing easements from the school district and the private property owner, according to Carr.

RPA will likely assist the city with other water and sewer projects throughout town that are waiting in the wings, according to the request for proposals the city sent out in August.

While councilors have budgeted funds for infrastructure upgrades, city officials hope to use grants and federal funds to pay for the upcoming work.

By the end of 2022, Troy will have received nearly $250,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. While the municipality narrowly missed out on additional ARPA funding from the state, Carr said the city could reapply in a subsequent round. Councilors hoped Troy might secure $500,000 from the county’s $3.9 million ARPA allotment.

Along with pandemic relief dollars, Carr said the city could secure around $1.7 million through three grants.

“Whatever we get is going to be a bonus because the people don’t have to pay for it,” said Carr.

Work on the water projects could begin as soon as early next year, said Carr, depending on the severity of the winter.