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SPENCER – Selectmen have been questioning a change order for street improvements on Main and Ash Streets. The board ultimately decided not to pay $10,000 of it until they hear an explanation in person.
The $62,500 item sought an allocation of Chapter 90 funds for police details as well as funds for paving including for extra asphalt. The paving component raised concerns.
Vice Chair Jonathan Viner questioned the “pretty hefty” $250 unit price per ton as well as sidewalk paving depths of four inches in places instead of the standard three.
He first suggested holding off on paying $10,000 until it was clarified whether former Superintendent of Utilities & Facilities Peter Boria specifically directed the contractor to provide that depth.
“I’m not crazy about that,” Viner said, if the contractor proceeded without that directive.
Town Administrator Jeff Bridges explained the total project amount is $583,161 and there is enough money in the Chapter 90 funds to cover the cost of the change orders.
However, at a Selectmen’s meeting in late March, the board decided not to pay the $10,000 until they figure out where what appears to be 40 tons of unaccounted for asphalt went.
“The (paving) was not done according to plan and we’re not obligated to pay for it,” Viner said. “It’s unreasonable to shell out (money). We shouldn’t pay blindly if we don’t know where it went.”
Bridges said Boria supported the change order before his departure. Engineers said all the materials were used to fulfill the project.
The 40 tons of extra asphalt represents roughly 33% of the 123 tons used for the paving.
Selectman Gary Woodbury noted, “That’s two truckloads…not an insignificant amount of material. We need to find out where it is.”
He directed the town administrator to bring in the vendor/engineer to discuss the situation.
