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Public commenter asks committee to investigate apparent overpayment on plowing contract
Summary
During public comment a resident asked why the district appears to have paid roughly $300,000 for plowing when a vendor's bid was $150,000 and requested staff follow up; the committee agreed staff would contact the commenter and investigate.
During the public-comment portion of the Barre Unified Union School District #97 facilities committee meeting, a resident identifying herself as Nancy raised questions about a school plowing contract, asserting the district paid roughly $300,000 while a vendor’s bid was $150,000 and asking the district to investigate.
"I got an answer from Jamie about it. He answered a question that wasn't asked... the plowing contract with Bellance—we were paying out $300,000 when his bid was 150," Nancy said, asking who could provide clarification.
Committee members responded that staff would follow up and contact the commenter with more information. No committee member disputed the allegation during the meeting, and no formal audit or motion was made at the facilities meeting to open a procurement review.
What’s next: staff agreed to follow up with the commenter and investigate the discrepancy; the meeting record contains the public-comment request but no additional documentation or committee direction beyond a promise to contact the resident.
Quote: "So if we could just get to the bottom of that eventually, that'd be fantastic," Nancy said.
Note: The committee did not take formal action related to the plowing contract during this meeting; any procurement review would require staff follow-up and potential agenda placement for future committee or board consideration.
