Select Board reviews paving bids, approves $750,000 bond resolution to advance road work

The Westport Island Select Board read competing preparation and paving bids and advanced a bond resolution to help finance a major road project.

Chair moved that the board accept and record multiple bids for paving preparation and paving itself and said the board will review line-item breakdowns before choosing a contractor at a Wednesday special meeting. Chair read several bids aloud, including a Hager Enterprises prep price announced as "$1,966,800," Danforth Enterprises at "$158,400" and SR Griffith Construction at "$160,000." He also read Hager's paving total as "$517,280" and other paving bids in the $472,000–$527,225 range.

The board discussed factors beyond price, including reputation and detailed scope, and scheduled a workshop to examine the bids. "We look at not just the cost, but also, you know, reputation, task, work, all those kinds of things," the Chair said.

Separately the board approved a bond resolution to authorize issuance of $750,000 in general‑obligation bonds to finance road improvements. The Chair read the resolution and moved for adoption; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. "I'd like to move that the resolution entitled resolution to authorize Assurant Issuance of $750,000 in general obligation bonds...be filed with the minutes of this meeting," the Chair said during the motion.

The resolution moves the project forward to subsequent administrative steps; board members said exact scope and contingency items will be defined as bid details are finalized. The board emphasized the bids must be reviewed closely because the bond timetable is tight and decision notices to the bond bank and contractors will be needed within days.

Provenance: topic introduced when bids were first read and finished with the bond resolution.