Council defers Clark House cottage renovation after questions about scope and bonding

Staff presented the low bid for the Clark House cottage renovation and reminded the council the town had secured a state preservation grant of roughly $109,850. The lowest responsible bidder — Island Via Construction — submitted $163,321.30, below the town’s earlier estimate. Public commenters and several council members asked for a clearer scope of work and whether the contract would render the cottage fully usable and occupiable once completed.

Several council members expressed concern that waiving bond requirements for projects below the statutory threshold increases risk. Staff explained that state rules permit waiving bond requirements on smaller projects to encourage local small business participation, and that contractors would still carry insurance. Commenters countered that bonds are a completion assurance and that local oversight would prefer a known bonding arrangement for preservation projects.

Because multiple council members requested the full bid packages, the six submitted proposals and a clear, line‑by‑line scope of work and bonding information, the council voted to defer the item to the next regularly scheduled meeting and asked staff to return with the requested documents.

Next steps: staff will provide the full set of bids, the project scope, engineering estimates and a recommendation on bond requirements at the next meeting.