Select Board awards demolition contract for FEMA buyout at 191 Newton Road; local contractor urged relocation option

The Brandon Select Board voted to award the demolition and removal contract for a FEMA buyout property at 191 Newton Road to the apparent low bidder, Richard Reed and Son, whose bid was $2,500.

Town Manager Seth Hopkins told the board that ten bidders responded to the opening and that awarding the low bidder is standard practice. Resident and local contractor Jesse Billado addressed the board and said he had submitted a competing proposal under the name Masonry Reclaimed that would relocate the structure within Brandon rather than have it leave town. Billado said relocating the dwelling could preserve a unit in the town’s housing stock and that over time tax revenues could offset the higher immediate cost of relocation.

"I find myself in a unique position here as a resident of Brandon and operating in the housing space, rental space as well, and also construction," Billado said, and he urged the board to consider his alternative before awarding the bid.

Board members acknowledged Billado’s proposal and praised his interest but said the town’s request for proposals did not include relocation as an evaluation factor and that fiduciary practice usually favors awarding the low responsible bid. The board noted past experience where rejecting low bidders created problems for future procurements.

A motion to award the contract to Richard Reed and Son at $2,500 was made and seconded; the board voted by voice and approved the award.

No contract documents were read into the record at the meeting; the award was announced and the winning bidder will be contacted to schedule demolition and removal work.