Town opens owner-occupied rehab bids, board approves following low-bid review with homeowners

At the April 20 meeting the board opened sealed bids for an owner-occupied rehabilitation program and reviewed two radon-remediation quotes for homes that tested above state guidelines. Jenny, representing Region 15 program staff, read line-item bids for roofing, electrical, HVAC and water-heater replacement for three properties and disclosed radon mitigation quotes for two properties.

For the radon remediation, Innovative Radon Solutions and Hooser Radon Remediation submitted bids; Innovative Radon Solutions was the low bidder on the initial readout for both affected houses. Jenny emphasized radon mitigation is required before other work under the program can proceed.

On rehab packages, multiple contractors submitted split bids for the same homes. Jenny explained the program has a funding cap (described in the meeting as $20,000 per home) and that homeowners must prioritize which items will be completed when bids exceed the cap. "With your approval I would like to work with the homeowners to go with the low bid and within the funding range and what they would like to do," Jenny said. The board approved that approach by voice vote.

The board also requested that standard contractor contracts be revised to include explicit insurance and liability language; staff recommended adding a requirement for general liability coverage (the board discussed $1–2 million limits). Staff said they will finalize contracts and return them for signatures so work can proceed on schedule.

Next steps: staff will notify the low bidders, consult with homeowners to set priorities within program caps, execute revised contracts (containing insurance requirements), and continue bidding additional homes in May and June as funding allows.