At its regular Monday night meeting, the Dresden Board of Selectmen opened two bids for a three-year snowplowing contract disqualifying a third one.

Local contractor R. Lilley & Daughters submitted a bid, but selectmen decided to discount it without knowing the amount because the contractor submitted no required bid bond.

Albert Lilley, who runs the business, said he understood from questions he asked he did not have to submit one until after the board accepts the bid.

“On the surface, this bid is unacceptable,” Board Chairman Phil Johnston said.

Lilley seemed to misunderstand that the bid bond and the performance bond, which has to follow bid acceptance, differ, Johnston said.

Selectman Allan Moeller made a motion to reject Lilley’s bid for non-compliance and open only the other two providing they have included bid bonds. Both contractors did.

After debating back and forth, they decided to take the other two bids under advisement with Goodall Landscaping of Topsham, the current contractor. They will vote on the matter at the next regular board meeting on Monday, May 4, since selectmen will not meet on Monday, April 20, which is Patriot’s Day.

Goodall bid a total $579,091 for the next three years, broken down into one-year payments of $187,354 the first year, $192,974 the second year, and $198,763 the third year.

Steven McGee Construction of West Gardiner submitted the other bid of $616,000 total for three years. The contractor also broke down the payment into one-year increments of $198,000 the first year, $207,000 the second year, and $211,000 the third year.

The town contracted Goodall for the past two years for $176,000 each year after Holbrook Excavation of Woolwich backed out of a three-year contract.

Board Chairman Phil Johnston read the requirement for submission of bids for a bid bond amounting to 10 percent of the total bid.

Whichever bid the board selects will face a town meeting vote for the overall figure in June and a vote and appropriation of the first-year increment as well. The contractor will have to submit a performance bond each year and list of equipment, according to selectmen.

Freedom center

Local fire officials have yet to check on compliance for local fire requirements on the Freedom Center. The center, located in the Village at the former Dresden Inn, began a new operation in town geared to helping people, especially women, get back on their feet from various issues in their lives, such as abuse.

Johnston asked Selectman Gerald Lilley to notify the fire chief at the next department meeting about the need for a report on the center to follow up on how it has met the various requirements outlined for its safety.

ACO appointment

In other business, the board discussed the possibility of opting to contract with the Richmond animal control officer to lower the cost for its animal control issues.

Selectman Moeller, who is a Richmond town employee, said the Richmond officer deals with the Lincoln County Animal Shelter like the current officer, addressing a concern if that would continue.

Johnston said the time until the next meeting would allow time for the Richmond officer to come up with a proposal for the board’s review.

RSU 2 budget

Chairman Johnston read a report from the RSU 2 office announcing the school board has finalized initial details of the fiscal year 2016 budget and inviting local officials to attend its finance committee meeting this Thurs., April 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Richmond High School.

The school board plans to visit municipal meetings as well as scheduling its own and collecting feedback this month and next from local leaders and constituents. The board will use the feedback as a basis to finalize and amend the budget if necessary, according to the school office letter.

Local legislators have indicated they will attend an RSU 2 meeting on Thursday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m. at Hall-Dale Elementary School. The board invites local community leaders to share local concerns and ideas at that time as well.

The board has set budget hearing throughout the RSU 2 region with the one in Dresden on Wednesday, May 27 at Dresden Elementary School. The regional budget meeting will be held on Monday, June 1 at 6 p.m. at Richmond Middle School/High School with the budget validation referendum on Tuesday, June 9, election day.

Next meetings

The board will meeting for a workshop next Monday, April 13 at 5 p.m. at the Town Office and on Thursday, May 16 at 5 p.m. for the sole purpose of signing the warrant, since selectmen will not meet for a regular meeting until Monday, May 4 at 6 p.m. at Pownalborough Hall because of the Patriot's Day holiday falling on Monday, April 20.