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Somerset approves master‑service agreement with Duberry for infrastructure master plan, prioritizes roads and sidewalks
Summary
Council approved a master services agreement with Duberry (cap ~$79,767) to develop an infrastructure master plan and assist with implementation; the council added a condition that roads and sidewalks be prioritized as the first work orders and discussed prior assessment work and ARPA timing.
Somerset's town council voted to approve a master services agreement with Duberry to produce an infrastructure master plan and assist with implementation, at a not‑to‑exceed cap of roughly $79,767 to be funded from unobligated ARPA funds. Council added a condition that the first work orders focus on roads and sidewalks.
EJ presented the proposal as a master services framework: Duberry would develop a multi‑year master plan (maintenance/replacement schedules, ADA compliance, parking-lot and signage review) and then carry out implementation support through discrete work orders that the council would review and approve individually. EJ emphasized the cap is a not‑to‑exceed amount and that individual work orders allow the town to pace and control spending.
Several councilmembers raised questions about prior assessment work: one councilmember said residents asked why the town had commissioned assessments and studies in the past without visible implementation. EJ and staff clarified some prior sidewalk assessment work had been paused and only a small deposit (reported in the meeting as $3,000) had been paid; the master services agreement would encompass follow‑on work and help the town move from study to procurement and execution.
Council also discussed ARPA timing. Staff and the town attorney explained the master agreement could be executed and ARPA funds obligated now while delaying actual work orders; they said the town may reprogram obligated ARPA funds later under state guidance if priorities change, but work funded by ARPA must be spent by calendar year 2026.
After discussion and an amendment to prioritize roads and sidewalks as the first work orders, the council approved the master services agreement by voice vote. Staff said the first work order will target roads and sidewalks; subsequent work orders will be presented to council for approval.
Next steps: execute the master services agreement, present the first work order on roads and sidewalks to council for scope and cost approval, and proceed with RFP drafting and procurement assistance as warranted.
