The Yates County Legislature has sanctioned up to $300,000 from the $26 million highway department project’s contingency fund to tackle unexpected soil issues.
The Finger Lakes Times reports during a special meeting on Friday, it was decided that the fund, initially set at over $960,000, will be used to remove and replace unsuitable soil identified at the construction site.
While $255,000 had initially been allocated for this scenario, officials suggested an additional $45,000 to ensure safety.
The unsuitable soil, declared non-contaminated, is slated to be relocated to an unspecified site and may possibly be utilized by the public, including the Mennonite community.
The capital project involves constructing a new building in the hamlet of Benton Center, along Route 14A. This building will house the highway department, emergency services office, and the county public health department’s clinic space.