The chain link fence that kept people away from construction action for most of the past seven months was piled onto trucks last week -- finally opening the way for residents to set foot on the new and improved Avenue of the Fountains Plaza.

The renovated plaza hosted its first event over the weekend as the town celebrated the holidays with the Stroll in the Glow and the 25th anniversary of incorporation.

But the plaza isn’t quite finished.

The list of items the contractor still has to fine tune is significant, and Development Services Director Paul Mood said he expects crews to be working on various items at least through Christmas.

The “punch list” includes items that are relatively un-noticeable to visitors unless attention is called to them.

For example, electrical boxes need to be adjusted to grade, outlet boxes also need adjusting, bolts on picnic tables and benches need to be cut down, irrigation heads need adjustment to avoid overspray, etc.

There is remaining sod work with some areas in need of replacement and in other locations it needs to be evened out, particularly around some of the new tree plantings.

Various plant material is in need of replacement.

The contractor, Low Mountain Construction, had asked for additional time to complete the project, which was scheduled by contract, to be finished by Oct. 20.

They cited delays in getting materials and parts shipped for lights and water features, delays in getting power to the site and the weather.

However, the Town Council did not buy that those were the reasons for significant delays in getting work done.

In October the council approved two additional days for weather delays over the seven the contractor had specified in the contract, but the council initiated a penalty for every day after Oct. 23 until the project reached substantial completion.

Mood said they arrived at substantial completion as of Nov. 11, some 20 days after the contract specified.

The “penalty” of $710 per day thus reached a total of $14,200, which the town will deduct from the final payment that will be made after the punch list is complete.