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Burrillville council authorizes conditional award for high school viewing plaza, pending court stay
Summary
The Burrillville Town Council authorized a conditional award of Bid 25-008 to O'Keefe Trucking for $1,125,000 and approved a transfer from the debt-reduction fund to cover the town's portion, all subject to the town manager's written authorization and any court stay. Council cited a $500,000 federal grant and the risk of higher costs if the low bidder is lost.
The Burrillville Town Council voted Nov. 5 to authorize, subject to the town manager's written authorization, transferring funds and awarding Bid 25-008 for the Burrillville High School Field Viewing Plaza to O'Keefe Trucking and Equipment for $1,125,000.
Jeffrey McCormick, the town's Director of Public Works, told the council it received three bids: DuPont Masonry for $1,180,000; Baron Construction Company for $1,810,000; and O'Keefe for $1,125,000. McCormick said the town has a $500,000 federal grant toward the project and asked that the council transfer about $793,750 from the debt reduction fund (fund 3880) to the synthetic turf field fund (1396) to cover the town's portion and to advance grant funds into the debt reduction fund until reimbursement.
"We got 3 bids... and we're asking for a 15% contingency," McCormick said during his presentation. He described the scope as a 600-square-foot press box and concession building behind the stands, accessible restrooms, about 6,000 square feet of concrete plaza and seven ADA parking spaces adjacent to the site.
Council members discussed two authorization approaches: awarding the contract but making the award explicitly subject to a court stay being lifted, or granting the town manager written authority to proceed so staff can respond quickly to court rulings or other contingencies. The council approved a motion that combined the funding transfer, advancement of grant funds, and award to O'Keefe "subject to the town manager's written authorization to proceed." A voice vote recorded multiple "Aye" responses and the motion carried.
The motion and vote were framed by council concerns about timing: members said rebidding could significantly increase costs and risk losing the federal grant if the town does not move ahead promptly. The council's authorization was conditional on the manager's written sign-off and any court actions affecting a previously filed stay.
