Hatfield Select Board Bypasses Low Bidder for $2.2 Million Sewer Contract

HATFIELD -- October 7, 2020, Hatfield Select Board awards $2.2 million Route 5 sewer contract to second-lowest bidder, citing prior poor work. The board voted unanimously October 7 to bypass low bidder Gilaher in favor of Ludlow Construction at $2,221,679.60 for Phase 1 of the Route 5 water and sewer improvement project, a MassWorks-funded undertaking originally estimated at $2.8 million. DPW Director Phil Genovese cited an ongoing pattern of complaints from the Chestnut Street project, telling the board, "I don't want to get into it being left a mess overnight." The award is conditioned on consulting engineers Comprehensive Environmental Inc. qualifying Ludlow and on legal counsel confirming the town can lawfully bypass the $25,900 cheaper low bid. The board also unanimously waived $14,000 in 2021 alcoholic beverage, entertainment, and auto amusement license fees for businesses closed or severely limited by the pandemic.