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Board pushes ahead on major electrical upgrade at the Plains; RFQ to follow
Summary
Board members discussed a plan to replace aging electrical service on the Plains, including new poles, undergrounding lines and new panels; members said work will require an RFQ because estimated costs exceed procurement thresholds.
The Kingston Select Board discussed substantial electrical upgrades for the Plains — the large open field in front of the fire department used for community events — and indicated the town will solicit prices via an RFQ because estimates exceeded the single-vendor procurement threshold.
Board member Peter Bakke described a plan developed with DPW staff, the electrical inspector and volunteers to replace poles, remove overhead wiring and run new underground conduits (an estimated 3,200 feet of pipe). The plan calls for adding poles, new panels, and relocating lines to underground conduits; portions of the work will require trenching.
Bakke reported he identified replacement poles available at town storage sheds and a donor willing to install them free of charge with a utility truck; he clarified the poles would be town-owned and that an electrician would still be required to install wiring on those poles because the utility will not perform that work on town-owned poles. Unitil (the utility) will place its service on the new poles where required.
The board asked staff to prepare a set of specifications so the town can issue an RFQ or bid; members emphasized the work should be specified clearly to avoid widely varying proposals. Selectmen said the work needs to be completed before planned summer events to avoid creating a muddy construction site on the Plains.
Why it matters: The Plains project is central to Kingston’s event infrastructure; the electrical system is aging and deputies described safety concerns and repeated breaker resets. The board framed the project as necessary before large public gatherings can be reliably held at the site.
No vote was taken; board members agreed to proceed with preparing specifications for an RFQ and to return to the Select Board with firm cost estimates and draft bid language.
