Paving Bid Awards for Three Roads Delayed

While the Board of Selectmen recognized on Aug. 6 that one paving company had the low price bid to pave three Windham roads, the board will wait two weeks to give all bidders a chance to make bulk bids.

Tate Brothers Paving Co. of Hudson, N.H. made the low bid of $249,169, with the company indicating that it would do all three roads at that total price.

Tate Brothers told the town that if that bids are awarded individually, it would like to withdraw its $48,350 bid for Old Mill Road. The other two roads set to be paved are Sirod Road and Pilgrim Road.

The board elected to stretch out the bid prices to give the two other bidders, Brox Industries and Hudson Paving, a chance to make bids for all three roads rather than three individual bids.

Selectman Roger Hohenberger said it would be unfair to accept a package bid and give all of the work to Tate Brothers without first bringing that option to the other two bidders.

Tate Brothers wanted the Old Mill Road bid removed if awards were given individuals since the company misunderstood that road's bid package. However, the business would still do Old Mill Road at that price should it get all three roads.

Brox Industries gave a total bid of $275,650 while Hudson paving rounded out at $313,089.

Tate Brothers is cheaper on every category, including cost per linear foot, cost per square foot and cost per square yard.

The Selectmen will meet on Aug. 20 to award the bids for all three roads. All of the roads are located very close together in town, with Sirod Road presenting the most expensive pursuit.