Select board authorizes temporary heating change order for fire station; approves additional paving payment

The select board authorized a change order allowing the DPW to rent temporary heating needed to cure concrete at the new fire station and to contract Swansea Oil for fuel delivery. DPW Director Joe D'Russo told the board contractor delays meant the building requires external heat for several months. A local contractor, Grayson Smith, offered to rent a unit at $2,000 per month with a three‑month minimum; D'Russo described a worst‑case fuel scenario up to $10,000–$12,000 a month and said a more realistic estimate was $3,000–$4,000 per month depending on weather.

D'Russo asked the board to authorize his signing a change order for the temporary heating and fuel through March 2026. The board moved, seconded and approved authorizing the DPW director to sign the change order; the motion included authorization for Swansea Oil to deliver fuel and an estimate range of approximately $8,000–$9,000 per month when combining rental and fuel at planning estimates.

Separately, the board considered a revised paving invoice for Seminole Lane and Cedar from Allstate Construction Inc. Staff provided an updated invoice total of $52,250, and the board approved amending prior authorization from $49,000 to $53,000 to pay the invoice in full from the operating budget.

Board members said they understood the urgency of protecting the new structure and the need to get the concrete poured and cured despite the additional cost. The approvals were procedural authorizations to allow work to proceed and invoices to be paid; staff will return with any material changes to the cost estimates.