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Select Board approves low bid for two townhouse furnaces; ARPA funds to cover window work
Summary
The board approved moving forward with replacement of two aged furnaces at the town townhouse using the lower contractor bid contingent on a staff verification of comparability; ARPA funds will also cover at least one window restoration project.
The Select Board approved proceeding with replacement of two oil furnaces in the town townhouse and agreed to allocate American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to also cover at least one historic window restoration.
Town staff reported two contractor quotes for replacing two furnaces. Air Duct Plus LLC quoted about $12,000–$12,500 for two units; another bidder (Raul’s) quoted about $21,549.46. The two bidders used units described as comparable (both named Conforto in materials) but the board asked Rick (town maintenance) to confirm that the lower bid’s equipment and inputs match the town’s heating requirements. The motion recorded on the transcript made the low-bid award contingent on Rick verifying the units are comparable.
Finance details discussed: the town had encumbered roughly $23,810 for the overall energy project and had $15,000 of ARPA funds available. Select Board members discussed using the lower bid so leftover ARPA funds could be applied to the ongoing window restoration work in the townhouse; the combination of two furnaces and one or two window restorations would keep ARPA usage within the $15,000 allotment.
Board members approved the contingency motion and asked staff to confirm technical comparability between bids before final contract execution.
Why it matters: the townhouse furnaces are 25 years old and replacement would reduce maintenance risk and improve heating reliability; combining furnace replacement with window restoration leverages ARPA funds for building energy improvements.
