Westport Island residents approved the purchase of a new $261,000 fire truck and the acquisition of 202 acres of town land known as the Barrett/Hopkins property during an often contentious Annual Town Meeting June 25.
The five hour long meeting also featured a lengthy debate on the snow removal contract that was ultimately awarded to G&D Cromwell despite a lower bid from a competing contractor, Holbrook & Sons of Woolwich.
“We considered price and service in our process,” said Selectman Jerry Bodmer.
Resident E. Davies Allan questioned the board as to why Cromwell would receive $25,000 “upfront” for their service.
“In 45 years of doing municipal work I’ve never seen a town be willing to pay upfront money for a contract,” said Allan. “If the present contractor doesn’t have the resources, that’s a sign that something could be amiss.”
Bodmer said the bid by Holbrook did not meet certain requirements set forth by the contract including access to a sand and salt shed. Stanley Lane, a former Westport Island Selectman, said he had “serious issues” with the decision.
“I think this is unethical and renders the town bidding process effectively dead,” said Lane. “I question the value. There are moral issues when we’ve got one person on the board who may work for the Cromwell group and get paid by them voting on this issue. We got bids and the low bidder did not get the contract. There’s no reason to not accept the low bid. I think they did have the requirements. If it’s a matter of having a bond, I’ll get him a bond within 24 hours. You people have not represented the community at large in a proper way.”
Third Selectman Ross Norton, who won his unopposed re-election bid June 24, said he did not draw a salary from Cromwell but did in fact work for the company in 2000 and remains an unpaid consultant.
“I don’t paid get from Cromwell,” said Norton. “In looking at the bids, we didn’t think Holbrook could do both towns at the same time. That’s why I voted against it.”
At a June 20 meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Board Chairman George Richardson said he anticipated frustration from residents over their decision to use Cromwell. Citing the difficulties of maintaining the Westport Island roads, Richardson said it was in the best interest of the community to use an experienced outfit rather than a new contractor.
“There is a learning curve no matter how skilled the contractor is,” said Richardson said June 20. “This is a safety issue and we have the right to renegotiate a contract. We are voted into office to make the tough decisions for the town.”
In comments at the Town Meeting, Lane said there was no way to know if a new contractor could effectively do the job unless given a chance.
“We need to have other people bid on it or we’re at the mercy of one person,” he said.
Bodmer said posted notices for the contract did include language allowing the board to accept or reject any and all bids.
“We lose a lot of sleep on this stuff too,” said Bodmer. “It is with the best interest of the town in mind. The bottom line is that the renegotiated contract price is $5785 higher than the Holbrook price. This equates to $1900 a year, which in our opinion is in the best interest of the town, it’s not a moral or ethical issue. You have to think past that.”
Despite objections to the process, residents approved the contract to Cromwell with an amended 2011-2012 amount of $102,774,00, $7000 less than the original sum requested. The total value of the three-year contract will remain at $308,322.
In other business, a majority of the 67 residents present approved $261,181 to purchase a custom built Pierce Responder fire truck that will replace an existing, but rapidly aging truck that cost $5, said Mooney.
Mooney said $30,000 would be used from the fire department reserve fund to help fund the purchase. The remainder of the funds will come via a 10-year loan through the truck’s manufacturer, Osh Kosh Manufacturing of Appleton, Wis. Mooney said the interest rate would be roughly 3.9 percent.
“I appreciate the support but do understand not everyone was in favor of the purchase,” Mooney said June 27. “It amounts to $13,000 more a year than the $15,000 we currently dedicate for the reserve fund.”
According to Mooney, the truck will be built from scratch with delivery expected within six to eight months.
“There is a slim chance it could be sooner,” he said. “In the meantime I’m hoping and praying that our existing trucks will pull us through.”
In a June 24 vote, residents handily passed two referendum articles that will allow the town to accept title on 202 acres of coastal land for recreation and conservation purposes. In addition to $75,000 approved for the purchase, $1.275 million in federal and state grants are currently in the review process for the acquisition.
The Westport Island Conservation Committee spearheaded the effort with assistance from the Trust For Public land, a national non-profit conservation commission.
Residents also approved $67,268 in town officer salaries, $2500 for the repair of 10 rotted windowsills in the town hall, and $12,000 for the town volunteer fire department.
An article seeking $3400 to upgrade the lighting at the town hall was defeated.
