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Council tables decision on salt supply after members raise procurement concerns
Summary
Public Works asked to accept a local supplier matching a statewide consortium price; some councilors questioned the procurement approach and sought more competitive bidding. The motion to table the item passed; staff will return with additional procurement details.
Public Works Director Mike Harris asked the council on June 16 to accept salt from Eastern Salt, which had offered to match the low bid from the State of Maine consortium. Harris said the city had experienced quality problems with the state‑consortium vendor on a previous delivery and preferred to continue using a local supplier that had provided acceptable material in the past.
Council reaction: Several councilors expressed concern about process. One councilor asked why the city relied on the state consortium rather than soliciting bids itself; another asked for the full set of bids the state received. Councilors asked staff to gather more procurement information and possible alternative suppliers and to return in August with competitive bid results and a budget comparison. One councilor abstained from the table vote and said the situation “smells” wrong, reflecting frustration with the informal price‑matching approach.
Outcome: A motion to table the procurement passed; staff will return with a clearer procurement record and prices for council consideration before awarding a contract.
