Commission rejects lone sealed bid, opts to contract Atlantic Development for Riverview Lane storm repair

Interim Town Manager Lisa Fraser presented results of a sealed-bid solicitation for a failed stormwater cross drain on 410 Riverview Lane. Only one sealed bid (Joe Baer Construction) was received. Atlantic Development, which is performing Basin 1 work nearby, provided a separate proposal and said it could complete the repair more quickly and with lower mobilization costs because its crews and materials are already in town.

Fraser recommended rejecting the single sealed bid and using Atlantic Development through a contract modification or change order. Town Attorney Ryan Knight said awarding work by change order to Atlantic would be legally permissible. Commissioners added conditions that contractors maintain one lane of access at all times for residents and emergency services. Commissioner Reed suggested funding the repair from Fund 141 (operating fund) rather than the capital fund identified in the packet; the commission agreed and moved to reject the sealed bid and proceed with Atlantic via change order with funds charged to Fund 141. The motion passed unanimously.

The town will require a scope-of-work definition and a traffic/maintenance-of-traffic (MOT) plan that preserves continuous access to the dead-end street during repair. Staff said Atlantic estimated a much shorter timeframe (two to four days) compared with the sealed-bid timeline, which would have required longer set-up and longer road closure.

Direct quote: Interim Town Manager Lisa Fraser said Atlantic Development could be modified into the contract and “they believe they can do it cheaper and quicker because they will already be in the town, and they're already there with the supplies.”