Friday, April 12, 2002
The bids were separated by about $15,700.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A judge denied a Washingtonville contractor's request to block Springfield Local School District from awarding a contract for new seating at its stadium.
A hearing was Thursday before Judge Maureen A. Cronin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, who declined to issue a restraining order against the board.
Argument: The request was filed by Jim Santini Builder of Washingtonville, which argued that it was unfairly passed over for the contract despite submitting the low bid.
Judge Cronin ruled that the contractor did not submit clear and convincing proof that a restraining order was warranted.
"There is nothing now to stop us from going forward with the project," said Atty. Richard Horning, who represents the school board.
Atty. Michael L. Fortney of Akron, representing Santini, said Santini submitted a low bid of $624,777 for the project, which includes construction of new seating on the home side of the football stadium.
Upon recommendation of project architect Olsavsky-Jaminet of Youngstown, the board rejected Santini's bid and awarded a contract to a Louisville, Ky., firm, which had bid $640,500.
Horning said Santini's bid was cast out because it didn't include the specific types of seats the board called for in its bid specifications.
Specific type: But Fortney said the specified seats are available only through the Kentucky contractor, which made it impossible for any other contractors to bid according to exactly what the board wanted.
Horning said the board is within its rights to specify the seats it wants and did not know they were available from only one source.
Horning also disputed Fortney's claim that the school board did not provide public notice of the special meeting at which the contract was awarded.
bjackson@vindy.com