Boothbay Harbor awards footbridge project to Fuller Marine

Tue, 01/10/2023 - 3:00pm

A unanimous selectmen’s vote accepting the low bidder for a combined state and municipal project did not mean everybody agreed. During the Jan. 9 Boothbay Harbor selectmen’s meeting, the board voted, 5-0, to accept Fuller Marine Services’ two bids for repairing the footbridge. Fuller Marine of Boothbay Harbor was one of three bidders who submitted proposals to renovate two bridge sections. 

Fuller Marine bid $1,419,048.49 for section one work. Chesterfield Inc. of Westport Island bid $1,547,665 and CPM Constructors, Inc. of Freeport bid $1,978,325. For section two, Fuller Marine bid $113,518 followed by Chesterfield Inc. with $152,480 and CPM Constructors with $235,190.

Town Manager Julia Latter announced by state law, selectmen either had to accept the low bid or reject all bids. The combined state and municipal project is receiving $250,000 from Maine Department of Transportation. 

Selectman Ken Rayle praised town officials in the bid process, but a local contractor disagreed. Campbell Marine owner Robbie Campbell questioned the process’ fairness. “Why don’t we all get a chance to bid on this project? I didn’t get a chance, and it hurts me because I do a lot for the town and the next one over,” he said.  

Latter said the town followed all state requirements for listing the project. “We went above and beyond what we are required to do. It was advertised on the DOT site and other websites. It was also advertised in the Boothbay Register even though there wasn’t a requirement to do so,” she said. Latter added the advertisement was also extended through the holiday season. 

Campbell’s business is in Trevett. He said three other local contractors had the same concerns. “There are three other dock builders in this town, and we all ought to have an equal chance. Why didn’t we get a chance?” he said.

Following the meeting, Campbell said he had been waiting 2.5 years to bid on this project. As a contractor, Campbell said he regularly tracks MDOT posts. He plans on seeking legal advice. “I’m not going to let this lie,” he said.

As far as the project goes, Chuck Fuller reported work would begin soon. Selectman Mike Tomko asked “what  happened to the ramp?” Fuller believed a recent storm resulted in the ramp sinking. “It’s aluminum so it doesn’t float. It’s probably still there. We will probably find it during high tide or when the demolition starts,” he said. 

Latter is preparing to schedule a special town meeting seeking public approval to fund the project.