Selectboard reviews bids for Elizabeth’s Park Phase I as resident warns costs have risen

The Selectboard opened bids for Elizabeth’s Park Phase I on Sept. 24 and received four engineering/project bids: MSK Engineering ($111,673), Engineering Ventures ($74,000), Dubois & King ($65,252 + $2,980) and Verdantas ($74,500). Jessica Chase reported $60,000 in pledges (including from the Byrne Foundation and Merry Meadows Farm) that are not yet in hand.

During public comment construction project manager Michael Wright told the board that prices for design, engineering and project management have ‘‘doubled or more’’ and urged the town to consider repairing existing park deficiencies rather than starting a build-out that the town may not be able to afford. The board returned the bids to the Parks & Rec committee for further review because the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant restricts allowable Phase I scope.