Waste treatment plans clogged up
Town delays hiring firm to find project engineer
by Jason Stone

CAVE CREEK – The plan to jump start Cave Creek’s waste‑water treatment capabilities got stuck in bureaucratic sludge Monday night.

Town council appeared ready to approve spending $47,290 to hire 3D/International Inc., a management firm, to lead the hiring process for a contractor to design, build and operate the town’s new wastewater plant. But although council had hoped to get the process started Monday, last‑minute changes to wording in the 3D/I contract led Mayor Vincent Francia to ask for a continuance.

“It’s a bit irregular to be doing this at the last minute,” said 3D/I senior vice president Ward Simpson after town attorney Cliff Mattice suggested some changes. “I would have to defer to our legal staff first.”

The town is hoping to send out requests for proposals to find a contractor by Oct. 30, and hire one by April 2007.

Council will take up the issue again at its next meeting Sept. 18. The regular meeting Sept. 4, which is Labor Day, was cancelled.

Reach the reporter at jason@thedesertadvocate.com.