Greene selectmen turned down all bids for a proposed expansion.
GREENE – Selectmen rejected all bids for the first phase of the proposed expansion of the Julia Adams Morse Memorial Library on Monday night.
Town Manager Stephen Eldridge said the lowest bid of $540,000 is about $215,000 over the budgeted amount of $325,000.
The Board of Selectmen is not required to accept bids if they deem the lowest bid too high or if specifications are not met.
Eldridge said specifications prepared by an architect included the highest quality of building materials. “This town just can’t afford that,” he said. “We’re going back to the drafting board to see how we can cut costs.”
Phase one encompasses adding a second floor to the 1,000-square-foot, one-story library. A future second phase would include a children’s library in a daylight basement area and the installation of an elevator and restrooms in the basement.
Eldridge said construction for that phase could be several years from now.
In other business, the board voted to release about $28,000 to Glen Builders of North Conway, N.H., and about $2,500 to Plymouth Engineering of Plymouth. Those funds were held last month pending completion of work at the new fire station. The walls bowed in some places. Plymouth Engineering hired Bowman Brothers of Newport to reinforce walls with 2-by-8 studs and re-Sheetrock the walls.
Eldridge said the repairs satisfied the selectmen’s concerns. “Plymouth Engineering stepped up to the plate and took care of it. They paid for it.”
In another matter, the board signed a contract with the Greene Historical Society for use of the Old Town House. The Historical Society will have the use of the former municipal building rent-free. The town will continue to pay for electricity and heating.
The selectmen also discussed the meeting planned for March 23 with the selectmen of Greene, Leeds, Turner and Wales to discuss the proposed franchise agreement with Adelphia for cable television and Internet service for the four towns. One agreement would cover all of the towns. It would require approval from all four boards of selectmen.
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