Alton selectmen approve up to $75,000 to repair lakefront retaining wall; waive bid requirement

The Alton Town Board of Selectmen voted Sept. 9 to authorize up to $75,000 from the retaining-wall capital reserve fund to restore the worst section of the stone retaining wall by the boat ramp and swim stairs.

Public Works Director Seth Garland described the problem and the proposed repair, saying crews would dismantle and rebuild sections of the wall using as much of the original stone as possible, repair drainage, replace aging outlet pipes with ductile iron, and reset or repoint the cap stones. "He's pretty confident and I'm pretty confident to him to his work is pretty good," Garland said of the contractor.

Garland told the board the capital reserve contains $153,584 and the contractor's estimate ranged from $60,000 to $75,000 depending on how much salvageable stone is found. Board members noted there had been an earlier engineered proposal that would have cost nearly $2 million and that the contractor had performed well on prior town jobs. The board unanimously moved to waive the competitive bid process because prior bids were not being submitted by other firms and the contractor is familiar with the site and prior repairs.

Motion: The board approved a motion to spend up to $75,000 from the retaining-wall capital reserve fund, waive bidding, and authorize contractor Ethan Falk to begin restoration work. The vote was taken by voice.

Garland said the timing is favorable because lake levels are low and the contractor expects to start soon. The work will include repointing, replacing damaged drainage outlets, restoring rock under the ramp and installing steps and a railing at the swim stairs as described in the contractor's estimate.