Cushing selectmen direct chair to seek contractor to finish Hathorne Point Road work by Oct. 15

The Cushing Board of Selectmen on Sept. 8 directed Chairman Alton Grover to contact alternate paving contractors to finish repairs to part of Hathorne Point Road and the Salt Shed parking lot before cold weather sets in.

Chairman Alton Grover reported that the company J.A. Gilbert informed the town it likely cannot complete the work this year. Selectman Daniel Staples said the work needs to be done this fall; the board agreed to ask Patterson (the next-lowest bidder) whether it can perform the project for the quoted price and finish by Oct. 15, 2014. If Patterson declines, the board directed Grover to contact Performance Paving.

During the discussion Staples also recommended placing a larger appropriation into the Town Road Account at the next town meeting to keep up with rising paving costs and noted excise tax revenue has not been sufficient to cover road needs. Selectman Robert Worthing cautioned against developing a habit of relying on surplus funds and noted the town’s historical financial strength has relied on having a substantial surplus.

What’s next: Chairman Grover and Selectman Staples will inspect a recreation supply building that may be rotting and are to reach out to prospective contractors; the minutes record a board motion to authorize Grover to contact Patterson and Performance Paving, carried 5-0-0.

The minutes do not record contract award details, estimated project cost, or whether additional town funding will be approved before work begins.