Bedford Town Council elects chair, approves contracts for two bridge projects and pool repairs

The Bedford Town Council on March 11 elected Councilor Lori Radke as chair and Phil Griazo as vice chair, and authorized three construction contracts that town officials said will not require a new property-tax appropriation because they will use previously awarded state bridge-aid funds and existing capital reserves.

The votes followed short procedural discussion and roll-call gauges. Councilors also approved minutes from recent meetings. Department of Public Works Director Jeff Foote presented bids and recommended awards for the two bridge reconstruction projects and a pool renovation, describing the contracts, the low bidders and the town’s matching obligations.

Town officials said the Greenfield Parkway bridge reconstruction drew the lowest qualified bid from EverEx Corporation for $1,544,972.88. The town’s portion — described by DPW staff as roughly $443,086 — will be paid from bridge-aid funds the town received in 2022 and 2023. The council authorized the town manager to sign a contract with EverEx and to set up project accounts totaling up to $2,500,000 to cover design, permitting, construction and reimbursements from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

The Beals Road bridge project, which spans the Merrimack–Bedford line, was awarded to Neil H. Daniels, Inc., for $2,273,858. DPW staff said Bedford’s share of the project is approximately 17% (about $44,200) because most of the existing structure lies within Bedford; Merrimack will pay the remainder. The council authorized setting up project accounts of up to $3,000,000, to permit Bedford to pay costs and seek reimbursement from NHDOT, the federal government and Merrimack.

Parks and Recreation staff recommended Triad Associates, Inc. of Haverhill, Massachusetts, to repair the town pool. Triad’s bid was $175,000 to remove tile, repair structural deficiencies, install new pebble-tech plaster and update racing lanes and targets. DPW staff told the council Triad is bonded and said the contractor’s owner committed to completing the work in time for the pool season; officials noted weather remains an uncontrollable factor. The approved contract is within the town’s capital project funding and, according to staff, will leave an estimated $75,000 in savings against the CIP allocation.

Council procedural business included the administration of the oath of office to newly elected Councilor Gail Levesque, approval of committee assignments (for example, Kathleen Bemis named primary for Historic District Commission and Lori Radke given school-board liaison duties), and the routine approval of minutes from February and March sessions (several minutes approvals passed with one abstention where recorded by the clerk).

Votes at a glance - Election of chair: Motion by Councilor Bill Carter to keep Lori Radke as chair; second by Councilor (transcript: Gazzo). Roll call: motion approved (recorded as passed in the minutes). - Election of vice chair: Motion by Councilor Carter to appoint Phil Griazo; second recorded; motion approved (recorded as passed). - Greenfield Parkway bridge: Motion to authorize contract with EverEx Corporation for $1,544,972.88 and to expend bridge aid as the town’s 20% match; council approved (motion passed, recorded in minutes). - Beals Road bridge: Motion to authorize contract with Neil H. Daniels, Inc. for $2,273,858 and to set up accounts up to $3,000,000; council approved (motion passed, recorded in minutes). - Pool repairs: Motion to award contract to Triad Associates, Inc. for $175,000 and authorize the town manager to execute the contract; council approved (motion passed, recorded in minutes). - Minutes approvals: Several minutes approvals were voted; public-session minutes passed with the recorded tallies (most measures passed; some passed with one abstention).

Town officials emphasized that the bridge projects rely on state bridge-aid already awarded to Bedford; staff said those funds are on hand and the projects can proceed without a new tax impact. DPW indicated the awards follow a design–bid–build process: consultants completed designs and permitting before the town advertised construction bids, and the recommended contractors are prequalified for DOT-funded bridge work.

The council’s action closes a procurement phase and directs the town manager to execute the recommended contracts and begin project administration, with DPW authorized to approve and pay project charges and then seek state reimbursements. Timing for construction and pool work will depend on contractor schedules and, in the case of outdoor work, weather.

The council scheduled remaining committee assignments and a public Memorial Day–270th celebration in May; DPW and Parks staff said they will provide public updates on construction phasing and pool opening dates as work progresses.