Weston Water Tank Project Targets Fall 2026 Bidding Despite Manufacturer Backlog

WESTON — March 18, 2026 — Weston water tank project targets fall 2026 bid solicitation despite industry backlog and open contract questions. The Select Board's Water Tank Working Group met Wednesday to review a revised project schedule showing 60 percent design documents for three water storage tanks submitted to the town on March 12, with a 90 percent submittal projected by end of May and complete design by mid-October 2026. Wright Pierce engineer Rob Williamson cautioned that composite tank manufacturers are heavily backlogged and that even a fall 2026 contract award may not result in physical tank construction mobilization until fall 2027 or into 2028, telling the board, "the sooner the better, presuming the town's goal is to get this system online sooner than later." Town Manager Leon Galmond acknowledged he is the current bottleneck on executing the pressure-reducing valve preliminary design contract, calling it a critical-path item the project cannot cut over without. MEPA is expected to issue a final environmental certificate on April 17, and the working group tentatively scheduled its next meeting for April 29.