Gilford police station construction bids come in a little over budget

GILFORD — Three construction companies submitted bids for the renovation and expansion of the Gilford Police Station yesterday but all of them were greater than the $1.213 million approved by the voters at the 2014 annual town meeting.

Gary Chocoine Construction of Weare submitted a proposal for $1,365,048, plus an estimate of $78,000 for some possible ledge work and $175,000 for some trench work.

Meridian Construction of Gilford proposed a bid of $1,659,700 and said it if awarded the contract it would negotiate any ledge and trench work while Turnstone Construction submitted a proposal of $1,476,700, with a total estimate of $105,000 for ledge and trench work.

Selectmen know there is ledge under the surface of the area where the expansion is planned. What they don't know is how much.

The bids were opened yesterday at 2 p.m. in a meeting attended by Selectman John O'Brien, Town Administrator Scott Dunn, architect Don King, and Police Chief Anthony Bean Burpee. Bean Burpee was accompanied by Lts. Kris Kelley and James Leach, who were the primary town liaisons for the project that was largely designed before Bean Burpee was hired.

All three companies had representatives there.

After three previous, failed attempts, the expansion and renovation of the Gilford Police Department was overwhelmingly approved last year by town voters. Because the project will be funded through long-term debt, two-thirds of those voting needed to approve the project that had narrowly failed twice before.

The town also received a $169,000 federal grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for an emergency generator and a central command/operations center that can also be used by the public.

Dunn said yesterday the price of the generator — about $65,000 to $70,000 — is included in the contractor's proposals.

Although the bids came in higher than the town would have liked, Dunn, Bean Burpee and King said they are confident that selectmen will select the lowest, best proposal and work with the company.

"We need to engage in a discussion with our architects and selectmen," said Dunn, adding that selectmen will review all the bids.

"I am optimistic that the town will be able to work with one of them," Dunn said.