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Committee backs $16,191.72 piggyback contract with Hartford Paving for two sidewalk repairs
Summary
The purchasing committee recommended piggybacking the city of Newport’s concrete paving contract with Hartford Paving for two small sidewalk repairs (Smithfield Avenue and Seapah Lane) at $16,191.72; the solicitor stated current practice treats towns as responsible for sidewalks on state roads.
The purchasing committee recommended awarding a $16,191.72 contract to Hartford Paving, piggybacking the City of Newport’s concrete-paving contract to repair two sidewalk sections the staff described as unsafe and not ADA-compliant.
Chair introduced the item as a request to waive competitive bidding. A staff member said the work covers a section of Smithfield Avenue near Millville that is “deplorable and unsafe” and a stretch on Seapah Lane where a resident with mobility issues needs an ADA-compliant path. The staff member said the town has been pushing the state to take over state-road sidewalks, but that effort has not succeeded.
The chair asked the solicitor whether repairing sidewalks that sit on state roads would set a precedent or increase town liability. The solicitor and staff responded that current practice and state Department of Transportation policy effectively leave sidewalks on state roads under local responsibility: “Under the current state, yes,” the staff member said when asked whether the town would be responsible if someone fell.
Committee member moved to recommend awarding the piggyback contract to Hartford Paving in the amount of $16,191.72; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The recommendation will be forwarded to the council for final approval.
