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Selectboard debates scope and bidding for Day Road upgrade
Summary
Board members and residents questioned whether the petitioned Day Road article covered materials only or contractor work and whether the $125,000 figure required posting for bids; engineers'recommended specs and members urged clearer explanation to town meeting voters.
The Pittsburg Selectboard spent substantial time on March 24 debating Article 2, a petitioned warrant article proposing upgrades to Day Road.
Board member S2 asked for specific project specs: width, depth and whether the $125,000 figure was materials only or included contracted labor. Engineer guidance from Pike (reported by S7) recommended a minimum preparation of 18 inches of fabric and crushed material, a 24-foot width and placement of crushed stone and surfacing as part of a staged project.
Some selectpersons said the article read as if the highway department would perform the labor using town equipment; others warned that state or town procurement rules could require the work to be put out to bid if hiring outside contractors or if the project exceeded local procurement thresholds. "If this 125,000 isn't gonna—who's gonna take that job for that amount unless they're looking to cut double?" a board member asked (S4).
Members agreed the warrant language had not been clearly explained to voters at town meeting and recommended inviting the petition authors to return to clarify whether the appropriation covered materials only and what work the highway department would perform. The board noted it can reject bids and that if bids come in too high, the town retains options to re-scope or perform work with town equipment.
What happens next: The board will consider clarifying the procurement path and, if necessary, re-engage the petition authors and the highway agent to present intended scope and whether the work should be competitively bid.
