At its most recent meeting, common council wrestled with whether to award a groundwater drilling contract to a locally-based company, or a lower bidder from Quebec. City staff concluded the Saint John company not only cost more but had less solid research. Yet Common Councillor John Mackenzie feared the Saint John company's bid was $100,000 higher because they have an insider's knowledge about potential issues with the terrain. MacKenzie and fellow councillor Bill Farren expressed concern that the taxpayers would ultimately pay more in cost overruns.
Common councillor Shirley McAlary disagreed, saying council cannot give preferential treatment to local companies when the request was put out to everyone. In fact, councillor Ray Strwobridge pointed out, that kind of favouritism could land the city in legal trouble.
If all goes according to plan the well would provide water to much of the West Side. The contract was finally awarded to the Quebec company to the tune of $268,000.
