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Council presses staff on pool fence, bridge timing and procurement language after RFP concerns
Summary
Council debated whether pool fence and bridge work can begin after season’s end, questioned bid specifications that appear tied to a prior contractor, and asked counsel about keeping bid numbers private to preserve competition.
Council members questioned staff about timing and procurement for a pool-fence replacement and a bridge project that town engineers say remains in design.
When asked whether the pool fence and bridge items would be handled at the same time, Town Manager EJ replied that the fence is an official agenda item while the bridge’s design phase is still ongoing and construction cannot start immediately. EJ said he expects fence construction to begin in early to mid-October and that the bridge inspection recommended yearly checks: “the bridge itself is structurally safe… but it is not in great condition,” he told the council.
Procurement concerns surfaced when council members noted the RFP language mirrored elements of American Pools’ prior public bid, including brand specifications and measurements, which could deter other bidders. Town Attorney Ron cautioned, “You wouldn't want to release the numbers unless they're released to everybody,” and recommended protecting competitive leverage while keeping procurements fair.
Why it matters: council members said transparency in procurement is important both to protect the town from challenges and to encourage bidders; members urged staff to avoid unnecessarily restrictive brand specifications. EJ acknowledged that measurement specifications matter but said brand names are not mandatory.
Bridge update: Dewberry engineers said full replacement and a superstructure-only option were removed from consideration due to cost and missing substructure records. The firm intends to produce a rehabilitation plan focusing on beam-end repairs and decking replacement and expects to deliver a revised proposal to staff within weeks.
Ending: Council directed staff to refine RFP language, invite additional bidders, and return with clearer procurement guidance and bridge-rehab proposals at a future meeting.
