Selectboard awards Depot Street bid alternates, clarifies TIF and federal funding share
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Summary
The Rangely Selectboard voted to award bid alternates for the Depot Street streetscape project to M & H Construction for $101,004.59 and reviewed how TIF and Federal Highway funds will cover most of the project, leaving the town responsible for a share of the overage and 100% of bid alternates.
The Rangely Selectboard voted to award bid alternates for the Depot Street streetscape project to M & H Construction for $101,004.59 and directed the town manager to finalize contract paperwork.
The action follows a staff presentation showing a base bid plus engineering costs that produced a project total of roughly $754,039.98 and identified available funds of $654,398, leaving a deficit. Town staff said the town must pay 12% of the original base amount and 100% of the bid alternates; the town also has a town-meeting-approved TIF warrant article authorizing up to $183,000 for eligible project elements. With federal highway participation expected to cover the majority of eligible costs, staff said the town's immediate out-of-pocket responsibility for the overage is about $19,000, with a combined town obligation (including the 12% share and bid alternates) in the low hundreds of thousands as presented to the board.
The board discussed that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)-style Local Project Administration (LPA) arrangement may retain up to 15% for administration and reminded members that reimbursement is invoiced as work is completed. Staff clarified that any unspent portion of the TIF-authorized funds remains in the TIF account for future TIF-eligible projects; it is not automatically available for non-TIF purposes without further Town Meeting action.
Members asked staff to confirm several budget line items and the effect of FHWA administration fees on the available contingency. After discussion, a motion to award the bid alternates and send the contract recommendation to the town manager passed.
Supporters of awarding the alternates said conduits and other elements would reduce future disruption and are prudent investments if future utilities or lighting are added. One board member said, "who wants to tear up a finished project once it's finished," urging investment in conduit now to avoid later costs.
The board did not change the previously approved TIF warrant article and noted that the TIF balance shown in staff materials would be the source for any remaining eligible costs. The board also asked staff to produce clearer accounting worksheets for a future meeting.
Votes at a glance: the motion to award the bid alternates to M & H Construction for $101,004.59 passed by voice vote (motion made and seconded; board recorded the motion as carried).
