FY2027 Roadway Paving Program
At a glance
- What: the town's FY27 road paving and drainage contract (about $1.64 million, seven roads, Chapter 90 funds) plus fall spot repairs paid from the $500,000 Town Meeting appropriation.
- Where it stands: work started late after the Attorney General's office rejected the town's attempt to pass over the low bidder. Oak Street and Prospect Street are first; Keys House Road (full-depth reclamation) most likely moves to spring.
- Next: fall work through mid-November; a third-party inspector for milling and paving; winter attention on Walnut Street and Keys House Road. See also Walnut Street Sewer Force Main.
The contract and the delay
- The town doubted the low bidder after problems in the prior paving season and moved to award to the second low bidder; the Attorney General's office disagreed, lengthening procurement. Keith Baldinger said both the contractor and the town made mistakes and that it was the first time in his memory the town had tried to bypass the low bidder.
- Board members said rigid public procurement rules tied their hands.
- Paving bids normally open in June; work cannot begin before July 1. This contract runs to June 30, 2027, so no rebid is needed.
Fall plan
- Oak Street first (drainage, milling, accessibility work, night paving near Oak Middle School), then Prospect Street by mid-November. Keys House Road mostly waits for spring. Nothing will be opened up that cannot be finished before snow.
- Spot repairs: parts of Old Mill Road, Route 140 under the Route 9 bridge, Thomas Farm Circle and others. Main Street water-main repairs are paid by the water division.
- Oversight: structured engineer process, better documentation, third-party inspector for about 10 days (under $30,000).
Open questions
- A state project on Route 140 near the library has no announced schedule (probably spring).
Discussion time
About 14 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-09-22 - Select Board | 14 |
Log
- 2026-09-30 - 2026-09-30 - Ask The Manager: the town manager said the low bidder's challenge at the Attorney General's office delayed the work almost 10 weeks, the town did not prevail, and extra oversight was added.
- 2026-09-22 - 2026-09-22 - Select Board: Keith Baldinger presented the FY27 paving plan and delay; board asked about winter plowing on Walnut Street and Keys House Road, inspection cost, the $500,000 and earlier bidding.