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Town engineer urges use of state vendor-in-place contract to accelerate ADA ramps and sidewalks
Summary
Stonington's town engineer and interim public works director asked the finance board to approve use of a state vendor-in-place contract (recommended vendor cited in the record) so the town can expedite ADA ramp and sidewalk work and align it with a CCGP grant; the board approved a waiver to engage the vendor-in-place process for up to $465,000.
Town Engineer Chris Greenwell and Interim Public Works Director Tom Curiosa told the Stonington Board of Finance on April 1 they want to use a state "vendor-in-place" (DAS-approved) contract to speed sidewalk and ADA ramp work ahead of the town's paving program.
Greenwell said the vendor-in-place approach avoids the time-consuming process of preparing bid specifications, engineering surveys and separate vetting; the state contract includes vendors prequalified to the DOT standard, handles encroachment permits and can start work within weeks of issuing a purchase order. Greenwell recommended a contractor whose name appears variably in the record (transcript spellings include "Martin Lero," "Martin Liberio," and "Martin Lo"). He said Newington's experience with the contract has been positive and argued the approach will help the town meet schedule and grant requirements.
Public Works proposed grouping availability from the CIP, operation-and-maintenance sidewalk accounts and a CCGP grant that permits vendor-in-place contracts. The motion approved by the board authorized the use of the state vendor-in-place contract and an authorization up to $465,000. A board member asked how the number was calculated; presenters said the total combined available funding included $230,000 associated with the CCGP certificate of funding plus roughly $120,000 in O&M and other CIP monies, which together allow the town to "corral" funds to expedite multiple, geographically distributed sidewalk jobs.
Greenwell and Curiosa noted two practical advantages: state-approved contractors are experienced with ADA slope standards and surveys (reducing risk of rework) and having one vendor mobilize multiple locations reduces scheduling conflicts among subcontractors. The board moved and voted to approve the waiver unanimously.
What happens next: Public Works will coordinate grant compliance and outreach steps required by the CCGP, issue purchase orders under the state contract and schedule ramp and sidewalk work in advance of the town's paving program.
