Henniker board approves warrant article and awards bid for highway equipment shelter

The Henniker Board of Selectmen voted Jan. 20 to place a warrant article asking voters to raise and appropriate $86,200 to construct a covered highway equipment shelter that would join two previously purchased shipping containers under a single roof.

Highway staffer Leo explained the RFP process and said the town received four bids; he recommended awarding the project to Apex Exteriors and asked the board to place a warrant article for voter approval. Leo told the board he sought sheathing (plywood) rather than simple strapping, requested stamped truss plans and said the contractor will need to obtain building permits and inspections.

Leo said the shelter would provide dry storage for attachments and equipment — including plows, wings and spreaders — and noted the town has coordinated with the Army Corps of Engineers on location approvals. He told selectmen the construction would be designed to withstand local snow and wind loads and that the contractor would be expected to provide stamped plans and tie-down details.

The board voted to put the warrant article to the voters and then approved a motion to award the bid to Apex Exteriors, not to exceed $86,200, pending voter approval at the 2026 town meeting.

A note on transcript figures: one spoken line contained an apparent transcription error that listed a much larger dollar figure; the motion and subsequent restated motion and roll-call references show the award amount as $86,200.

Next steps: the award is conditional on voter approval of the warrant article at the town meeting; staff will return with contract documents and permitting information if voters approve.