By Cecilia Nasmith

Cobourg council awarded the town's street-light maintenance contract at this week's committee-of-the-whole meeting to Otonabee Electrical Services for a total cost of $71,600 plus HST – less than half the amount tendered by the highest bidder.

It's a one-year contract, with the option to extend for two additional two-year contracts.

The scope of this work mainly consists of replacing burnt-out lamps, repairing street-light fixtures either due to damage (largely from vehicles and storms), and replacing aged fixtures. This work is occasionally required outside of regular working hours.

Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin noted that Otonabee was the lowest of four bidders, but was surprised that the high bid was $193,762.09.

Mostly, director of public works Laurie Wills said, it's due to travel time and cases where larger companies are unionized and overtime rates are higher.