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Somersworth moves forward with Main Street water‑main replacement; multiple contracts and a bond are scheduled for public hearings
Summary
Councilors received committee recommendations and first readings for engineering and construction contracts and a borrowing authorization to replace the Main Street water main. Contract awards and a bond appropriation were presented for public hearing at the council’s next regular meeting.
The Somersworth City Council received first readings Monday on several items that together fund and authorize replacement of the Main Street water main, and related water‑main design work on Indigo Hill Road and Old Rochester Road.
City staff and the Finance Committee reported they recommend three separate contractor or consultant contracts and a bond to pay for the project. The items read into the record include: an amendment to Beta Group, Inc.’s contract for contract administration and construction inspection; an award recommendation to GVC Construction of Lunenburg, Mass., to perform the Main Street replacement; and a borrowing authorization for the project under the Municipal Finance Act. Staff also presented a separate recommended contract with Wright‑Pierce Engineers for design services on Indigo Hill Road and Old Rochester Road.
Key figures and status: the finance committee recommended amending Beta Group’s contract for $171,040 with a contingency of $8,960 (total not to exceed $180,000). Staff recommended awarding the construction contract for the Main Street water‑main replacement to GVC Construction for $1,572,417 with a recommended contingency of $157,241 (not to exceed $1,729,658). The council packet and staff presentations ask that the council authorize borrowing up to $1,909,658 for the full project, which covers the water main, paving, contract administration and ancillary costs. Separately, staff recommended contracting Wright‑Pierce Engineers for engineering and design services on Indigo Hill Road and Old Rochester Road for $110,000 plus a $10,000 contingency (not to exceed $120,000). All of these items were presented at first reading and will return for public hearings at the council’s next regular meeting on Feb. 18.
Why it matters: Finance and public works officials told the council there was competitive bidding for the construction contract (seven bids received) and that the project will require bonding under the Municipal Finance Act. The work will include replacement of the water main along Main Street from Indigo Hill Road to Nato Street and associated road paving and inspection services. The council’s vote to schedule public hearings follows charter requirements for bond approval and ensures residents can comment before final approvals.
Next steps: The council left the resolutions at first reading and set public hearings for the next regular meeting, when final votes on the Beta contract amendment, the construction contract award to GVC Construction, and the bond authorization will be considered.
Ending: The council advanced the project to the public‑hearing stage but did not adopt any bond or construction contracts at Monday’s meeting; staff emphasized the items were vetted by the finance committee and will return with formal votes after the required hearings.
