Topsham advisory committee selects Haley Ward to lead Complete Streets work

The Topsham Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee voted to recommend Haley Ward as the preferred consultant for the town's Complete Streets grant, committee members said. A member moved that the panel "accept the RFP proposal from Haley Ward," and the motion was seconded and approved by the committee.

Committee members said the decision came after interviews with two firms. Haley Ward's proposal was described by several members as more closely aligned with the grant scope and offering a substantially shorter timeline (about nine months) than the competing team, which members said bordered on the full grant period. Mary Beth, a committee member, said Haley Ward's principal consultant "was really kind of pointing us towards grant money for the future," noting the firm's ability to identify follow-on funding and DOT programs that could support implementation.

Members also discussed cost and staffing. The competing proposal from Northstar was described as higher-cost and with a longer schedule; several members said both teams were capable but Haley Ward better matched the town's needs and timetable. One member said they would recuse themselves from the vote because of a professional connection to a subcontractor mentioned during the selection process.

Aaron and Erin were recorded on the transcript as voting in the affirmative; another member said they would abstain or recuse themselves. The committee intends to present the recommendation to the select board for formal authorization at its early-November meeting and has discussed scheduling a consultant kickoff as soon as the board secures approval.

Next steps outlined by committee members include finalizing the consultant contract, setting a public kickoff meeting, and coordinating potential demonstration projects and data needs with the police department and public works.