By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
LUDLOW — Who will be plowing the town’s roads next season? That was the question on the minds of several residents Wednesday evening as the town’s board of selectmen gathered for their monthly meeting.
The plowing contract was a hot topic of discussion at last year’s town meeting as well. At that time, selectmen opted to choose Steelstone Construction of Houlton to clear, salt and sand the town’s roads instead of longtime contractor Randy Reeves. Selectmen stated at that time they chose the lowest bid, saving the town $10,000 in the process.
This year, the town received three bids for its winter snow removal, which covers about 20 miles of roads — Steelstone Construction, Reeves Snow Removal and Matthew Bolstridge of Ludlow.
Steelstone submitted its proposal for one year, with three options: $4,700 per mile to plow and sand with the town supplying the sand; $4,700 per mile, with Steelstone providing the salt and sand at an additional cost of $14.25 per yard; or $6,125 per mile with the town purchasing salt.
Reeves Snow Removal submitted a three-year contract bid for $5,300 per mile to plow, with the town providing salt and sand. The plan also included sub-contracting a portion of the bid to Greg Dow, who also serves on the town’s board of selectmen.
Bolstridge’s bid was for $122,500 for a one-year period. In his bid proposal, Bolstridge stated he would perform all of the plowing and sanding in the town for the fixed amount, provided the cost of gasoline was less than $6 per gallon. In his bid proposal, Bolstridge stated he did not currently have the equipment necessary to plow the roads, but would purchase whatever equipment was necessary if he was awarded the contract.
Because all three individuals provided bids in a different format, selectmen gave a consensus to reject all three bids and re-advertise work, stating how they wished the work to be bid. Any new bids received will be reviewed at the selectmen’s next regular meeting, scheduled for March 13 at the town office.
Talk with town attorney
Selectmen also met with town attorney Dan Nelson, who gave a presentation to the board, as well as members of the public, on the proper procedures for executive sessions, public comments at meetings and the Freedom of Access laws.
Nelson explained that because there were only three selectmen, if two of those members gathered with the intentions of acting on town matters, it constituted a quorum and could be viewed as an illegal meeting.
“What that means is that the board cannot meet at say Big Stop (in Houlton) to discuss town issues and avoid public scrutiny or the press,” Nelson said.
He added that if two selectmen met to discuss social issues, it did not violate the law. Also, all three selectmen could attend a barbecue function, and as long as no town issues were discussed, they were not violating the law.
Nelson also explained selectmen were not required to allow public comments at any of its meetings.
“Public comments are simply an opportunity that elected officials give to the public to voice an opinion,” he said. “It is not a debate or an argument process. It’s an opportunity for individuals to say what they think about town business.”
He added if an elected official felt compelled to respond to a comment, they could do so, but were not required to.
In other agenda items, selectmen appointed Melissa Ivey to fill an unexpired seat on the SAD 70 school board. Dave Stevens, who resigned earlier this month, previously held the seat. Stevens has since submitted nomination papers to run for the town’s board of selectmen. Also running is resident Brandy Peabody. The seat currently belongs to Donna Austin, who is not seeking re-election.
