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Selectmen authorize up to $51,930 change order for drainage project after engineers report greater scope
Summary
The Board of Selectmen approved a town-administrator-executed change order not to exceed $51,930 for a drainage/survey contract after engineers reported unexpected wetland, stream and dam removal work and additional permitting needs; officials said they expect final cost to be lower.
The Town of Blackstone Board of Selectmen on March 11 authorized the town administrator to execute a change order for a drainage project in the amount not to exceed $51,930.
Town staff and engineers told the board additional site work discovered during survey walks expanded the project's scope: investigators found possible man-made dams, intermittent streams and wetlands that will require flagging, additional permitting (including U.S. Army Corps notifications) and greater excavation than originally expected. The town administrator said the $51,930 figure represents a worst-case change order; he estimated the final extra cost would likely fall in the $35,000–$40,000 range, depending on actual quantities and whether borings and footings are required.
Why it matters: The work aims to resolve a drainage problem on the approach near Station 3 that planners said could otherwise shift flooding into an adjacent neighborhood. Engineers recommended routing work through an already wet area rather than an alternative route that lacked easements and could transfer the problem to other properties.
Key points from the meeting: The town administrator said engineers will use unit pricing in the bid so quantities can be verified and costs reduced if less rock removal or fewer footings are needed. He also said the team is pursuing access agreements with private-property owners for work behind the parcel rather than formal easements to reduce permitting costs.
Vote and next steps: Selectman Bolso moved to authorize the town administrator to execute the change order not to exceed $51,930; the motion was seconded by Selectman Polak and carried unanimously. Town officials will work to reduce the amount through design adjustments and by carrying unit pricing that reflects worst-case scenarios, then return for contract execution as needed.
The authorization covers only the change order; any larger construction contract, permitting, or easement arrangements will be subject to further review and contract steps.
