The Select Board of the Town of Millis voted unanimously Wednesday to award the notice of award for the Well 3 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) water treatment facility to Winston Builders Corporation for an amount not to exceed $6,227,007.

Town administrators told the board that the project had to be rebid after a procedural error in the earlier procurement; rebidding and corrective steps ultimately reduced the town's overall cost. The administrator said the town will pursue state SRF financing and other grants to cover the remaining project costs and expects interest on the state loan to be reduced as approvals are finalized.

Why it matters: the treatment plant addresses PFAS contamination at Well 3, a public-health and regulatory priority for the town. Board members and staff described the procurement as the next step in a multi-year effort that included prior town meeting appropriations and state funding applications.

Town staff said some earlier low bids were rejected because subcontractor paperwork was incomplete. After rebidding, the town received proposals that were compliant; the winning bidder and the rebid process together yielded savings the administrator said would reduce the amount ratepayers must cover.

The administrator also said he and Treasurer-Collector Jen Scannell have submitted required bond paperwork to federal and state funders; once state SRF approval is complete, the current 1.5 percent interest cost on the financing is expected to be reduced and part of the project financing may be converted to a zero-percent loan or grant, pending state action.

The board moved and seconded the notice of award motion and recorded a unanimous vote in favor.