ADAMS, Mass. — The town received higher than expected bids for the Registry of Deeds building and Crotteau Street improvement projects.

 

Bids came in Thursday for both, however, Community Development Director Donna Cesan said they both came in a little over budget. 

 

"The bids are under review by the town's architect so at this point we do not know if we’ll be able to go forward," Cesan said in an email exchange.

 

The Registry of Deeds improvement project actually went out to bid earlier in April but the town initially received no bids. 

 

The bid date was extended to April 30 planned asked general bidders to include sub trade work within their scope of work when they submit bids. The town also alerted bidders to the state's COVID-19 guidelines for public construction projects.

 

Cesan said the project includes complete interior and exterior improvements of the 65 Park St. building that houses the Registry of Deeds and was formerly the Town Hall.

 

"The work will include replacing entrance doors, removing a portion of the existing stairs, and installing a vertical wheelchair lift over a set of three stair risers," she said. "Additionally, the work involves removal of a closet, some masonry repair, and associated general work."

 

She said the sidewalk ramp was completed as part of the Park Street Improvement Project some years ago and this was the first phase of the town's efforts toward achieving universal access in the building.

 

Cesan said the town received $80,000 in grant funds to remove architectural barriers from the Office on Disabilities. The town set aside $38,000 to tackle the entrance of the building. 

 

David J. Tierney Jr. came in with the high bid of $172,824 and an alternate bid price of $5,491. Kurtz Inc General Contractors came in with a bid of $167,520 bid and alternate bid of $3,339.

 

As for Crotteau Street, Cesan said the town was happy with the response but noted the bids still came in a tad high.

 

"We are pleased with the good response although bids (the low bids) are somewhat higher than anticipated," she said. "We do anticipate we will be able to advance the project. Bid results are being reviewed carefully by the town's engineer and we await their recommendation for award."

 

The project includes reconstruction of 1,300 feet of roadway and sidewalk replacement along Crotteau Street from Murray Street to Sparrow Street. Existing pavement and sub-base material will be removed and reconstructed with full-depth pavement from Cook Street to Sparrow Street, with pavement milling and overlay proposed from Murray Street to Cook Street. 

 

The existing curb will be removed, and new granite curb, sidewalks, and wheelchair ramps will be installed. Overall, the work includes unclassified excavation, full depth hot mix asphalt pavement, pavement milling and hot mix asphalt overlay, drainage modifications, granite curb, new cement concrete sidewalk and hot mix asphalt driveways, pavement markings, signs, and other incidental work.

 

This is a complete street project and the town has $290,360 to go towards it plus town chapter 90 funds.

 

The town received five bids: