GREENE – Underestimated paving costs have selectmen wondering what to do about the rest of Greene’s paving commitments this year.

Coming in as the lowest bidder earlier this year, Mike Cloutier of R.C. Paving and Son came to Monday night’s selectmen’s meeting to announce that his company’s estimate for shimming and a one-inch overlay on Gagne and North Mountain roads fell short of the actual cost for the job.

“By the middle of the project it became evident they were not going to have enough to do the whole job,” Town Manager Charlie Noonan said. “R.C. has invoiced $67,056.16, approximately 33 percent more than they quoted.”

Cloutier said the rest of the roads involved in the quote should go as planned and said the main reason for the problem with Gagne Road is because he said he “didn’t actually walk the road” but instead drove down the road and figured his formula.

Selectmen were disappointed. Selectman Kevin Mower said the town should not pay any extra for the company’s oversight. “During the bidding process I asked why (R.C. Paving and Sons) overall tonnage was so much lower than the other bidders and (they) said (they) could make it work.”

Selectman Anthony Reny agreed with Mower and quoted the contract, which explains that companies are responsible to give a full quote of the entire project with the exception of hidden work.

“This is not hidden work,” he said. “Bidders should make themselves familiar with what they are bidding on.”

Uncertain of how the issue will be resolved, Noonan, R.C. Paving and road Foreman Bruce Tufts will meet later this week in an attempt to resolve the $16,143.56 overage.

Noonan said what was completed was done well but echoed Selectman Timothy Doyle’s statement saying he too was hoping that by awarding the bid to a local company it would eliminate paving problems that plagued the town in the past.

Officials are not sure how this will affect the rest of the town’s paving this year but said Deer Run and South River Road will get completed as promised.