Ludington Library’s Plumbing Contractor May Default

Lower Merion Township is considering terminating its plumbing contractor’s agreement for the Renovation Project on the grounds of default, which could delay completion of the project in Bryn Mawr, Township Manager Doug Cleland said.

The Lower Merion Board of Commissioners on Wednesday night authorized the township manager to terminate the plumbing contract for default if the contractor, Altchem, fails to comply with its contract. The board’s vote was unanimous.

Cleland said that in recent weeks the township has been "frustrated with the prime [contractor]'s unwillingness to perform." 

The township has made efforts to motivate the contractor, Cleland said.

“However, we are concerned that it’s not been successful,” Cleland said.

Louis Barson, who ran against Commissioner Brian McGuire in an unsuccessful election bid for his Ward 13 seat last week, asked Cleland if terminating Altchem’s contract would delay the project.

“It very well could delay our completion of the project if default is required,” Cleland said.

When Barson asked how contractors on the library project are paid, Cleland said contractors are paid along the way, for work completed.

Commissioner Jane Dellheim, said “…what happened with Ludington could have happened with any municipal contractor… There was no failure on the part of the township manager. It was an unfortunate situation.”

Dellheim, who made her comments later in the meeting, was not present at the time of the vote.