| Joanne Cole |
The Select Board approved bid documents for a septic system to serve permanent bathrooms at the Fairgrounds, awarded contracts for a new dump truck with plow and sander, a new loader, paving and chip seal projects, a year’s worth of sand and gravel and more at their July 1 meeting. They also authorized a letter to MSAD 15 leaders requesting that a referendum vote on a proposed bond project be held as part of the November election.
Septic system RFP for Fairgrounds bathrooms. The board approved with minor revisions proposed bid documents for a septic system at the Fairgrounds off Bald Hill Road. Planner Kathy Tombarelli presented an overview and answered questions about the design. Among other considerations, she noted that only one bathroom will typically be open–meaning low volume–but the septic system must also have capacity for major events like the Community Fair and soccer tournaments when all four bathrooms will be used.
The system’s proposed location meets all required setbacks, including distance from the Royal River bordering the Fairgrounds, Tombarelli said. The hoped-for timetable for the work is after New Gloucester’s 250th festivities conclude in September and before the ground freezes. Specs for the bathroom building are also in the works, but the bigger challenge on project timing may be the availability of contractors, Tombarelli told the board.
Contracts awarded for Public Works vehicles and materials. With bid recommendations from Public Works Director Ted Shane in hand and a few clarifications from the podium, the board awarded contracts for a dump truck with plow and sanding gear and a loader for Public Works, both coming in under their respective $340,000 and $225,000 budgets. They also settled on who will supply sand, gravel and rip-rap for this fiscal year and who will do the town’s paving/chip seal projects.
Regarding the roads, board members discussed with Shane whether the voter-approved paving/chip seal budget–$500,000 general and $200,000 for Morse Road from TIF–will be sufficient to cover all the roads itemized in the paving/chip seal RFP: Chandler Mill Road (two segments), Colbath Road, Morse Road from Chestnut Common to the river bridge, and Gloucester Hill Road. If funds turn out to fall short, Shane will drop a listed road to stay under budget. In the past Shane has swapped out a budget-busting road for something shorter and cheaper. That won’t happen this year.
MSAD 15 bond vote timing. Taking a cue from Gray, and citing costs and the impact on staff and volunteers, the board directed Manager Bill Kerbin to write to the MSAD 15 board and the Superintendent to ask that a special referendum vote on school bond projects be held as part of the general election in November rather than with an earlier special election.
With community input, the MSAD 15 board and administrators have been working on plans to address facilities needs, with priority areas being the cafeteria/kitchen and arts instruction and performance spaces at the High School as well as indoor athletic facilities and fields. The District had floated September as a possible time for a vote on bonding to fund the projects.
Gray raised concerns about the timing, and the New Gloucester Select Board followed suit at the July 1 meeting. Among factors weighing against a special election were the Town staff time and election volunteers needed, closing the service desk at Town Hall and the lower turnout of a separate special election. The board directed Manager Bill Kerbin to convey their concerns by letter.
Meanwhile, residents have two opportunities to learn about the District’s updated project plans and offer input on Wednesday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m. at GNG High School and Monday, July 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Memorial School.
Purchasing Policy to get a review. Board members directed staff to take a first swing at updating the Town’s Purchasing Policy. The policy dictates what purchases and contracts must go out to competitive public bid and how, when the competitive bid requirement can be waived and sets procedures and priorities for “preferred vendors,” among other topics.
The policy dates to 2012 and was last revised in 2020. Members’ comments suggested that the spending levels outdated and low, given inflation—purchases of $2,500 or more must have a minimum of three quotes; over $5,000 must go out to public bid. In addition, the policy doesn’t distinguish between contracts for professional services and purchases and is silent on leasing and on use of Town versus personal credit cards.
Manager Bill Kerbin will return in September with a revised draft, perhaps drawing on other municipalities’ purchasing policies.
Road names. Two new road names got collective thumbs-ups from the board. “Boundary Way” is a new road, close to Destiny’s Way, not far from the Upper Village blinker. “Porcupine Point Road” is at the end of Atwood Road, which is off Intervale Road. There’s definitely a boundary at Boundary Way, but are there porcupines near Atwood Road? They aren’t saying.
Watch video of the July 1, 2024, Select Board meeting at this link. Find contact information for Select Board members and links to meeting agendas, minutes and related documents at this link.
