Plympton library trustees unanimously reject patio bids, will revise scope and rebid

At their April 9 meeting, the Trustees of the Plympton Public Library voted unanimously to reject all bids received for the library’s patio project and to prepare a revised scope of work for rebidding.

Trustee James Lundgren moved “that the awarding authority, the Plympton Public Library Trustees, reject all bids received for the Plympton Public Library patio project which were opened on March 4, 2026, pursuant to the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30 section 39M, as it is determined to be in the best interest of the library and town to revise the scope of work and rebid the project.” The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Trustees present, 6‑0. Library Director Mike Slawson will notify the bidders.

The trustees had reviewed a summary of five bids prepared with assistance from a member of the Town Properties Committee and noted a wide range in quoted amounts. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30, Section 39M, the awarding authority must accept the lowest bid that meets the current scope of work; trustees said the breadth of bids and difficulties in how the project was posted made that outcome unlikely without a clearer scope.

Trustees discussed options to tighten the solicitation, including an offer from a local landscaping company to help write a more detailed scope of work. The board agreed the practical next step is to reject the current bids, draft a more detailed scope, submit it to the Selectmen for accurate posting, and send the revised scope to the current bidders once it is finalized.

The motion and vote conclude the trustees’ formal decision on the existing submissions; the new solicitation timeline and funding details were not specified at the meeting. The board also accepted the minutes from March 5, 2026 and adjourned at 6:39 p.m.