Sometimes, the lowest price isn't the best.

At least, that was the message the cemetery committee gave to the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen during a Wednesday, Dec. 18 meeting.

The board approved, 4-0, a bid from J & H Landscaping to replace F & S Property Maintenance. Town Manager Matt Lutkus said the committee had issues with the current upkeep on the cemeteries.

F & S had the lowest bid with a contract of $14,200 in 2014 and $14,600 in 2015. J & H's first bid offered $23,760 in 2014 and $24,480 in 2015. But the town was able to save some money by offering a three-year agreement in place of the two-year one. The town will pay J & H $20,500 in 2014, $22,400 in 2015 and $24,300 in 2016.

“The cemetery committee recommends that we not go with the lowest bid,” Lutkus said. “There have been concerns with F & S over the past few years.”

Historically, Damariscotta has paid approximately $20,000 per year for maintaining the cemeteries. In 2008 and 2009 the town paid $20,000 for the maintenance before F & S saved the town slightly more than $7,000 in 2010.

The Cemetery Committee released a detailed pamphlet as to why they would seek a different mower, including reasons ranging from damage to headstones from mowers and weed-whackers, ornaments knocked over and damaged, flags run over and flowers destroyed by string trimmers. The same report mentioned that the quality of the work was often inconsistent and lackadaisical.

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