POLAND — The Ricker Memorial Library expansion project will be moved from this winter to next fall for planning, bidding and financial reasons, selectmen learned Tuesday.
Architect Michel Giasson and Town Manager Matt Garside agreed that postponing the work will provide a number of advantages.
A fact sheet said a later date would coincide with the planned town park alongside the library. Garside said both projects have to be approved by the Planning Board with particular concern regarding storm water runoff.
Other benefits include alerting select contractors, offering on-site walkthroughs to potential bidders, allowing more time for bidding and having more flexibility in supply chain delays. Another advantage could mean a more stable economic/construction environment and better prices.
In a related item, the Select Board postponed a decision to use $50,000 from the town’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act to help pay for furniture, furnishings and fixtures for the library that may not be covered in the construction budget. The town still has $77,405 left in the fund after the board voted to apply $50,000 toward road work.
In other business, the board approved buying a truck chassis, plow and sanding equipment to replace the 2005 plow truck. A bid from H.P. Fairfield in Skowhegan for $127,601.75 for the plow and sanding equipment was approved over the offer of $132,285 from Viking-Cives of Lewiston.
The truck chassis will be purchased for $155,920 from Freightliner of Maine Inc. in Westbrook, which was the only bidder.
In other business, Nick Zeller was appointed to the Board of Appeals.
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