In recent months, the tension at the Oberlin Council meetings has been evident as members have debated paying and accepting the final change order in the water project and other matters related to the project (including the renovations at town hall). Over the last three months, there has been approximately eight meetings.
At Monday’s meeting, frustration set in for many, including Councilman Romelzy Willis Jr., District Four, who has been seeking documentation on the water project to verify what he knows and see if the issues arising have merit. He pointed out former Mayor Joseph “Moochie” Manuel told the audience Monday evening at the special meeting that he had only signed one change order for the town hall renovations.
However, Willis knows from the documents in his possession that statement made by Manuel is not true. “His allegation last night was he only signed one change order for the town hall renovations. That is not correct.”
Willis said the reasons they are refusing to sign the document to end the water project revolve around expenditures and the contract. He said he doesn’t want to see Oberlin sued for non-payment, but if the council signed the final papers to end the project, would that ratify everything. He cannot see how the council can represent its constituents, who will be repaying this debt and the work scheduled was not completed.
“The council’s concern is that $4.7 million dollars were expended, and water rates have already been increased before the project started to pay toward this debt that is costing us $20K a month for the next 40 years. The supposed purpose for this project was due to leaks and water running through asbestos pipes. Due to the change orders, the old pipes did not get capped off, so the town now has more leaks than before the project. The water we are drinking is still running through those same pipes. The town is still running about a $30K deficit each month. Had it not been for the Cares Act money received from the federal government, the town wouldn’t be able to function. The unpaid debt is still going to grow as the town has cut everything to the minimum possible to still function. Our only source of additional revenue is for the water rate to increase once again, leaving the people to wonder why, especially when the water system has not gotten any better and most of the time the water bills are ridiculous.”
Willis provided documentation for change orders, all signed by former Mayor Manuel.
• CO 1: For $43,739 with an additional 60 days for adding these items. The revised project cost is $2,559,937. It includes additional concrete, steel handrails, additional posts, beams, flooring, HVAC, electrical revisions, etc. (Signed May 28, 2019)
•CO 2: Increases of $43,739 and $1,826.34 bringing contract total to $2,601,763.34 for additional dry wall to finish replacing existing wall paneling on a wall in town hall, as well as additional materials, to extend the sewer vents through the existing roof. (Signed July 23, 2019)
•CO 3: Increases of $45,565.34 and $3,245.63 bringing total to $2,605,008.97 for additional materials and labor to relocate the existing A/C line at town hall so it no longer interferes with the location of the new ceiling, as well as additional materials and labor to convert doors to store front windows. (Signed August 4, 2019)
•CO 4: Contract increases of $48,810.97 and $41,861.39 bringing total to $2,646,870.36 for additional materials and labor to refurbish floors, walls and duct work that were not originally included in the project scope. (Signed October 24, 2019)
•CO 5 was not available at press time.
•CO 6: Increases of $108,679.61 and $4,585.60 bringing total to $2,669,463.21 to add additional days to the contract to account for weather days, time spent locating unmarked utilities, repairing leaks and reconnecting previously unknown water mains. (August 19, 2020)
•CO 7: Increases $113,265.21 and $202,562.55 bringing total to $2,872,025.76 to adjust contract quantities to those installed. Additional contract time was added to the contract to account for weather days, hurricanes, railroad permit approvals, time spent locating unmarked utilities, repairing leaks, reconnecting previously unknown water mains, reconnect to existing railroad crossings, elimination of the cut and cap of water lines, and waiting for delivery of water meters. (March 22, 2022)
Willis said they have made requests for the documentation of this project. He said even the town’s attorney hasn’t gotten all of the paperwork. He believes there’s a $1 million missing or unaccounted for in this project. They just want to know the breakdown of where the money went.
He also refers to Mike Manuel Road where lines and meters are questionable. First, it was said lines and meters were installed. Then it said they were not installed. He said there are three meters on that road and one person started paying water in May 20, 2020. He said if that person always had lines and a meter, then they haven’t paid water fees in 20 years. However, if that person started paying when he was hooked into the system, then someone is lying about the work done in that area. And that area is outside of town, so who has the “real” information about the area.
Willis said it appears the project needs another $200,000 to $250,000 to be completed according to the original contract. He said water fees are going to be raised again. Oberlin is paying dearly for these mistakes, and no one can say what happened to $4.7 million.
They used the town’s gas revenue to secure the loan to pay back these fees, and the gas business was sold by the town.
“We’re running a deficit of about $30,000 per month. Our water loan is $20,000 per month,” Willis said. “No body can give us a straight answer. One meeting we had extra money for renovations to town hall. The next meeting we were broke. Where did the money go?”
When all of this information is considered, Willis said why do they need permission to sign this change order (CO 7). He said they never needed it before to sign the others.
He said over $600,000 was paid to the engineering firm to see this project, and they (the engineer) can’t explain what happened. “It’s highly aggravating,” Willis said.
He also believes they are using political tactics to draw attention elsewhere like at Monday’s council meeting when members of the audience tried to battle issues with Police Chief Grady Haynes. “That whole thing was personal.” Willis added. (Members of the audience included the candidate against Haynes, as well as family members of Haynes, that have a problem with him.)
“We want to know what happened.” Willis refers to some line items in the contract that charge $5,000 to $6,000 to paint rooms at city hall which he considered should cost under a $1,000.
“People need to see how this is going. They are fighting for nothing and it is directly affecting Oberlin. They will pay for it.”
In regards to the deficit, Willis alleges the former mayor was hiding bills and statements from the council, so he motioned to have bills paid within a certain time frame. He said the council was attempting to fix some of the issues that have been plaguing them financially, but they can’t if they don’t have all of the information. Former city financial officer Nicole Duplechain left in the fall of 2021. She started in December of 2019, and she said the former mayor often told her not to pay the bills.
Duplechain alleges the former mayor made their work environment hostile by hiring his own niece, Allison McCleon, to work at city hall and spy on the ladies. She claimed McCleon made more than some who had been employed there, and she didn’t do the duties she was supposed to be doing. She said his niece often reported what was occurring when he wasn’t in the building, and they even caught her recording them once.
“She upset everyone in the office.” In the end, it appeared she wasn’t doing her job, and she could no longer work in the hostile environment.
“He (the former mayor) lied to everyone,” Duplechain added. “He had secret meetings; one in front of my desk with the engineers and contractors. He told me I knew nothing.”
