Hyde Park board declares pool contractor in default, awards Hackett Hill Park project to Aquatic Dynamics

The Hyde Park Town Board at a special meeting June 26 declared USA Construction LLC in default on Contract One for the Hackett Hill Park Pool Rehabilitation and awarded the contract to Aquatic Dynamics, Inc., citing the low bidder's failure to provide required post-bid documentation and the need to maintain the project schedule. The resolution (626-1 of 2026) passed in a roll-call vote recorded by the clerk: Councilman Prime (yes), Councilman Puscowski (yes), Supervisor Tiani (yes); Councilman Kar and Councilman Donley were noted as absent.

Board speakers said the original low bidder had not submitted required bonds, insurance certificates and other post-bid materials despite repeated requests. "They have not provided any of the documentations over several emails and documents going back and forth," a board speaker said, describing missing workers' compensation, general liability, automobile, umbrella, pollution and builder's risk coverage as well as deficient performance bonds. The speaker added the contractor had solicited other firms and contacted local contractors directly, which the board said indicated a risk of delay or cost increases.

Public commenter Beth Culp of 32 Hudson Drive urged the board to cancel and reschedule the special meeting because two board members were absent and the meeting time conflicted with working hours. "I would like to respectfully request that you cancel this meeting and reschedule it at a time when all of our board members can be here," she said, and questioned the speed of the vendor change and the nearly $900,000 figure discussed by attendees.

Board members and staff responded that absent members had been notified and that the project is funded by a grant and remains within budget. Officials said delay would push procurement and long-lead equipment ordering into September and risk missing the pool closure window; staff said Aquatic Dynamics had been vetted and could proceed once post-bid compliance items and clerk notarization were complete.

The board's motion to declare USA Construction LLC in default and accept Aquatic Dynamics as the next responsible bidder was carried. The board said it may consider calling the low bidder's bond at a later date but moved forward so work could begin on schedule under the grant funding.

The board identified the project as grant-funded; a public commenter stated the town had secured a $1,000,000 grant with a 20% local match, an assertion attributed in this article to that commenter and not independently verified. The board did not specify the grant program name on the record during this meeting.

Next steps noted by board staff are completion of required post-bid submittals (insurance/bonds, demolition and safety plans, erosion control, and schedule values) and clerk notarization before Aquatic Dynamics may begin work.