FARMINGTON – State Sen. Walter Gooley and Rep. Janet Mills presented selectmen Tuesday with a legislative sentiment in honor of the late Mary M. Wright.

The sentiment, read by Mills, remembered Wright, the board’s former chairwoman, who died earlier this year, as a dedicated teacher of 33 years who became interested in the town’s business when she worked to help save Walton Mill Dam in 1976. Two years later, she was elected the first woman to serve on Farmington’s Board of Selectmen and continued serving until her death in January.

Mills and Gooley had requested the sentiment because of Wright’s service and as Mills said, “her love for this town.”

Selectmen unanimously voted to award a bid on the Bailey Hill Road reconstruction project to E.L. Vining & Son Inc. of Farmington.

The Vining bid was lowest at $193,767 to reconstruct approximately 1,300 feet of Bailey Hill, Osborne and Horn Hill roads with associated drainage improvements. The reconstruction requires a significant grade change to the roads. The project also includes installing a large diameter culvert.

The board also accepted a small parcel of land at the intersection of Osborne and Bailey Hill roads that, for safety purposes, will help create a 90-degree turn onto Osborne Road from Bailey Hill Road. Selectmen accepted the land at no cost to the town.

The board reviewed the Hippach Field Trust established by the late Sumner Peter Mills Jr. When given it was for $138,000 but has done well in the market and is worth approximately $200,000, according to Town Manager Richard Davis.

Paul Mills had expressed concern that the town should use more money from the fund to make improvements at Hippach Field. Following a meeting with a financial advisor, a suggestion was made to spend closer to $12,000 this year and next and then see how the fund was impacted by the withdrawals.

The board unanimously voted to use some of the money to cover two proposals that include resurfacing of the basketball court and a backboard for the tennis court at a combined price of $5,067.

A bid from Quirk Ford of Augusta for a police cruiser was accepted for a price of $16,035. The car is a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria.

A bid for refurbishing the salt shed was awarded to Farmington Construction Inc. for $9,000.

The board also awarded four bids for Public Works Department items.

A pickup truck from Farmington Ford for $26,628 was OK’d by a vote of 3-2 following a discussion on the need for the truck.

A gravel bid was awarded to E.L. Vining & Son Inc. and a street striping bid was awarded to L & D Safety Marking Corp. for $8,049.89. The board also unanimously awarded a paving bid to Bruce A. Manzer Inc.

With a lengthy agenda, selectmen continued working on agenda items Tuesday night including an executive session held to discuss a police personnel matter and renewal of the assessor’s employment agreement.