Council discusses $12,000 road crack‑seal plan, seeks competitive bids but will proceed to avoid delays

Council members spent substantial time on road maintenance strategy after the road foreman reported pricing and availability for crack sealing.

The foreman told the council the responsive contractor has quoted $3,200 per ton for crack sealing and that the town budgeted $12,000 for the work, which would cover roughly 3.75 tons at that rate. He said he had contacted multiple firms but only a few had responded; contractors’ schedules and willingness to mobilize this season varied. “They’re at $3,200 a ton for a crack seal,” the foreman said. “In my budget I’ve got 12,000.”

Council members discussed procurement rules and practical timing. One member noted the town’s procurement requirement that work over $5,000 needs competitive bids. The council asked staff to continue soliciting bids and to document outreach; council members expressed a preference to proceed with the contractor who can perform the work this season rather than delay and risk further pavement deterioration.

The road foreman agreed to continue outreach and to select the lowest responsive bidder that can meet the town’s schedule, with the expectation staff will prepare a brief file documenting bids and communications for the council’s records. Council discussion focused on balancing compliance with competitive‑bidding requirements and the operational need to treat cracks before spring and runoff worsen road damage.

The council did not record a formal vote to award a contract during this meeting; staff were directed to keep pursuing bids and to proceed as needed to meet seasonal constraints.