Trustees decline both bids for village water and sewer operations after higher-than-expected proposals

The Village of Red Hook Board of Trustees voted on March 10 to reject both bids submitted in response to a request for proposals to provide full operational services for the village's water and wastewater treatment plants.

Two firms submitted proposals. North Dome Operations bid $12,500 per month for each facility — $150,000 annually for the wastewater treatment plant and $150,000 annually for the water treatment plant, a combined $300,000 per year. H2O Innovation bid $12,004.20 per month ($149,040 annually) for the wastewater plant and $7,500 per month ($90,000 annually) for the Red Hook water plant, a combined $239,040 per year.

By comparison, the village is currently paying just under $2,000 per month for each system (about $48,000 annually total), the mayor said. Trustees described both bids as a "dramatic increase" above current costs and asked for time to explore alternatives. The mayor moved to not accept either bid; a second was recorded and the motion carried.

Mayor Smythe told the board she would follow up with the bidders and the village staff to explore other operational models. H2O Innovation was present for the meeting and was thanked for attending; representatives said they would be in touch.

Trustees did not identify an immediate replacement plan. The board did not set a deadline for reissuing the RFP or for pursuing alternatives such as phased outsourcing, shared services, or in‑house management changes.

Officials said the likely next steps include further internal discussion and analysis of options that could reduce costs or split responsibilities between firms and village staff. The rejection preserves the village's ability to solicit new proposals or negotiate different scopes of work.