It isn't often taxpayers get a refund on government work — however indirectly it arrives.
But that's what happened Tuesday at the Anderson Board of Public Works when officials graciously accepted a $130,000 refund from a company the city hired last year to pave about 10 miles of city roads.
Last year, the city hired a suburban Chicago contractor, Gallagher Asphalt Corp., which developed an innovative, "hot-in-place" method of recycling existing pavement.
It was billed as more environmentally friendly process that used infrared technology to heat and melt asphalt, break it up, add fresh oil and return it to the road in one pass. And, at $338,155, the price was right.
There was just one problem, though. "It didn't do what they said it would do," said City Engineer Mike Spyers.
The company agreed the work didn't meet city specifications and agreed to repay some of the money.
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