Peru continues contract with TEST

The way the water plant and wastewater plant are operated in Peru will remain.  Total Environmental Services Technology, or TEST, has operated and maintained the plants since 1993 and will continue thanks to a rider on their contract.

The city council approved the rider Monday night despite criticism because the service wasn’t put out for bit.  Alderman Mike Sapienza gave a passionate explanation for why he was supporting the contract, saying that he believes in going out for sealed bids, but he also believes that you shouldn’t always take the lowest bid.

He also gave examples of TEST employees helping the city at no cost during the flooding in April and the Westclox fire in 2012.

Alderman Rodney Perez was the only aldermen to vote against it.  He says he thinks TEST does a great job but he believes the city should go out for bids on large projects.

This is the fifth time the contract has been extended.  The city will pay TEST about $572,000 in 2014.  The cost will increase by 1.5% each year.