The Burrillville Town Council on Nov. 5 authorized, subject to the town managers written authorization and the lifting of a court stay, a transfer of $793,750 from the debt reduction fund to the synthetic turf field fund and awarded bid 25-008 for the Burrillville High School field viewing plaza and associated buildings to O'Keefe Trucking and Equipment for $1,125,000.

Jeffrey McCormick, director of public works, told the council the town received three bids for the project: DuPont Masonry at $1,180,000; Baron Construction Company at $1,810,000; and O'Keefe Trucking and Equipment at $1,125,000. "We got 3 bids...and we're asking for a 15% contingency on top of what their bid was," McCormick said, describing the recommended award and contingency request.

The project scope McCormick described includes a roughly 600-square-foot press box and concession building behind the stands, accessible restrooms, about 6,000 square feet of concrete plaza and seven handicapped parking spaces close to the activity. McCormick said the town has a $500,000 federal grant for the work and requested authorization both to advance that grant funding from the debt reduction fund pending reimbursement and to transfer the towns share of about $793,750 into the synthetic turf fund.

Council members and residents raised timing and legal concerns. Mr. White, a resident of 560 Cherry Farm Road, urged caution, saying there was "still a little bit of question on whether or not the final planning board approval is 120% a done deal" and that it might be premature to rush additional spending while legal challenges remain. Council members noted that opponent filings by Miss Lacey had been before a judge and that a written decision from Superior Court Judge Lanfaire was expected imminently.

Mr. Wood, a council member, argued the town risked losing the federal grant if it delayed and warned the town could face higher rebid costs. "If we don't proceed, we will potentially lose that money," he said, adding that rebidding could raise costs toward the $1.8 million range. He also said he would "do my level best to make sure that the opponents of this project are held accountable for every penny."

Faced with those competing concerns, the council voted on a motion that authorized the transfer of funds, advancement of grant funding pending reimbursement, and award of the contract to O'Keefe Trucking and Equipment, with the town manager empowered in writing to proceed once the court-imposed stay is lifted or as otherwise appropriate. The motion was moved by Mr. Anderson and seconded by the vice president; the council approved it by voice vote.

The motion includes a requested 15% contingency on the awarded bid. The council and staff declined certain design changes to reduce cost, such as a thickened concrete slab and a change to the roof shingle design, in order to adhere to the current plans.

Officials did not publish a recorded roll-call tally in the meeting transcript provided; the motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The councils authorization remains contingent on the town managers written direction and the disposition of the pending court matter.