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Select Board approves RFQ for Kingston Plains electrical upgrades; bids open April 28 and funding public hearing set for May 5
Summary
The Select Board approved a request-for-quote (RFQ) for electrical infrastructure work at Kingston Plains, chose a bid-opening date of April 28 and scheduled a public hearing on using infrastructure funds to pay on May 5. The board set an August 1 completion target and asked for insurance and contractor requirements in the RFQ.
The Kingston Select Board voted March 31 to issue an RFQ for electrical upgrades at Kingston Plains, approve a public timeline and draw funds from the town's infrastructure account if needed.
Why this matters: The plains host town events and vendors that need reliable power; Select Board members said the existing above-ground panels and limited outlets have constrained events. The project includes new poles, underground conduits and upgrades to 200- and 400-amp panels to support festival and vendor needs.
Details and timeline - The RFQ will ask bidders to supply line-item pricing and insurance documentation; the board asked explicit contractor insurance and additional items be added to the RFQ before release. "We want an insurance licensed contractor doing this," a board member said during discussion. - Bid opening: April 28, 2025. The board set a 3-week bid window to allow contractors time to prepare responses. - Public hearing on funds to pay for the project: May 5, 2025. The board said accepting a contract that spends infrastructure-fund interest requires a public hearing and notification. - Completion target: August 1, 2025. - Funding: Board members said the infrastructure fund (interest) was the intended source; Finance staff will confirm available balance before final award.
RFQ scope and expectations Consultants and staff described a plan to replace some above-ground services with underground conduit, add two new service locations on the plains, and reconfigure several panels to provide multiple new circuits for vendors. The document will request contractor qualifications and a materials list; board members asked the RFQ to require the contractor to include a certificate naming the town as additional insured and a minimum $1 million liability limit (typical for projects of this size).
Board action - Motion to proceed with the RFQ, as amended at the meeting: passed unanimously (mover: Laurie Sweatt; second: Ellen Faulconer). - Motion to open bids April 28 and hold a May 5 public hearing on funding: passed unanimously.
Next steps Town staff and consultant will finalize RFQ language (insurance, removal/disconnection steps and the site drawing), post the RFQ, open bids on April 28 and present proposals at the May 5 Select Board meeting (public hearing) when the board will also consider authorizing use of infrastructure funds. The town engineer and highway staff will coordinate to avoid conflicts with Sanborn Head's planned monitoring at the plains.
