CPC hears bid-plan shift after rail project estimates come in nearly double

The Community Preservation Committee received an update on the town-common rail restoration after engineering firm VHB provided bid documents and an unexpectedly high cost estimate. The chair said the firm’s price came “well above what we were initially expecting,” prompting staff to pare back the scope.

Bill Kundiff, the project presenter, told the committee that staff asked VHB to “value engineer it down” and to produce a bid structure with a simple base project and two add-on alternates. “The base project would be simple painting and restoring things that are existing,” he said; the first alternate would add fixtures and bolts and a second alternate would replace granite posts and provide new railing where needed. Which option proceeds will depend on the bids and how they match the town-meeting appropriation.

Caitlin (staff) confirmed the bid package would be available the week after the meeting and that bids were expected about a month after advertisement; the committee discussed a plan to reconvene for a bid review before any award. “We’re hopeful that bids will come in low,” Kundiff said, noting VHB’s view that bids have been “trending down slightly.”

Committee members pressed on how any reduced scope would align with what voters approved at town meeting. The chair said she would pull up the warrant language to verify consistency and asked staff to return with a full bid summary and recommendation before any contract award.

The committee did not take a formal vote on the project at the meeting; members directed staff to advertise the bid documents, return with bid results and ensure any award would be consistent with the warrant article approved by voters.