Select Board moves to buy three decorative streetlight poles under Grafton County grant

The Plymouth Select Board reviewed and discussed a staff request to purchase three streetlight poles under a Grafton County grant and to use Hutchins Electric as the supplier.

Town staff said the grant covers the poles and heads; the quoted price was about $6,200 per pole for a total of roughly $18,839 and the town reported a $20,000 grant award for this replacement. Staff told the board that the exact pole model is a made‑to‑order decorative design that is no longer stocked and that many local electricians decline to bid because they lack lifts or boom trucks to install poles of that style.

Town staff said Hutchins Electric was willing to put together a bid and has a supplier for the made‑to‑order poles. The purchase order under consideration did not include installation; staff said separate installation funds exist and that Hutchins would likely perform installation as well.

Board members discussed whether the town should pursue a different, more readily available pole design for interim or long‑term replacement, and asked staff to have Jesse Jennings research alternative designs and cost differentials before the June 9 meeting. Staff said the new lamp heads are energy‑efficient LED replacements; solar heads were discussed but not proposed for these three poles.

Nut Graf: Staff requested authorization to purchase three decorative streetlight poles with Grafton County grant funds; the poles are made to order, cost about $6,200 each, and installation will be handled with separate funds and procurement steps.

Background: Staff noted they will also apply for a Northern Border Regional Commission grant in August for broader streetlight replacement; the town previously replaced some heads with high‑efficiency fixtures on Main Street.

Ending: Board members asked staff to return on June 9 with price comparisons for alternative pole designs and with recommendations on matching future grant purchases.