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Board awards water improvements contract to low bidder; debates costly alternates and generator work
Summary
After reviewing three bids, the Farmington Selectmen approved awarding the water‑system construction contract to Northeast Earth Mechanics for base work plus several alternates totaling $996,750; the board questioned a high cost for spare conduit across a river, declined to add a permanent generator now, and authorized the Town Administrator to sign SRF loan paperwork to support funding.
The Farmington Board of Selectmen on April 20 approved awarding a water‑system construction contract to Northeast Earth Mechanics LLC for the base contract and selected alternates after protracted discussion about the scope and cost of several line items.
Underwood Engineer Lynnette Carney told the board that Northeast Earth Mechanics was the low bidder on the base work and that alternates included running spare conduits and installing level transducers at several wells, relocation of stabilization girders, and work to bring wells #4R and #5 online. Board members flagged large variances between bidders on Alternate 5 (spare conduits across a river) and asked why an item estimated at about $23,000 was bid as high as $136,000 by one bidder. Carney said the route requires a river crossing and multiple handholds, which increased the contractor estimates.
Carney also described an option to move the town’s existing portable generator into permanent service at a quoted cost of about $138,000. Highway/Water staff and selectmen questioned that amount and the need for a permanent installation given existing storage tank reserve capacity. "The level transducer speaks for itself; we need a level transducer for switching it on and off," Carney said while explaining why conduit and controls matter for pump protection.
Funding and contract oversight
Carney reported total project funding initially at $7.2 million and current disbursements near $4.2 million, leaving funds to cover the award; she noted about $300,000 may return from earlier contract one as unused quantities. Board members asked that construction administration amendment paperwork (an additional $121,500 proposed to cover alternates) be revised to reflect the alternates the board actually approved.
The board also authorized Town Administrator Jason Henry to sign Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) paperwork to secure loan funds for ongoing work.
Motion and outcome
Selectman John Scruton moved, and Chairman Charlie King seconded, a motion to approve Northeast Earth Mechanics LLC as the low bidder for the total base price of $996,750 and alternatives 3, 4, 5 and 6; Selectmen approved the motion 5‑0. A related motion (Scruton/Titus) authorized Jason Henry to sign SRF loan documentation; that motion also passed 5‑0.
Next steps
Staff will secure a revised construction administration amendment reflecting approved alternates, and coordinate SRF loan signatures and disbursement. The board also asked staff to re‑examine the generator alternate and explore running power and conduit to the Davidson tank as a lower‑cost alternative to the permanent generator installation.
