Buxton is moving forward to replace its aging town garage with a new, million-dollar facility.
Site work is nearly complete for the project, now under way behind Town Hall on Portland Road, and construction bids are due by Wednesday at 3 p.m. Selectmen will open bids that night.
“I’d like to see occupancy by early fall,” said Jean Harmon, chairwoman of the town’s Board of Selectmen.
Voters last June approved borrowing up to $1.8 million for the projet. Buxton previously had been free of debt.
The new garage, which will replace the facility on Haines Meadow Road in Buxton Center, will be 80-by-120 feet with five double bays for trucks.
The garage will house 10 public works vehicles and would be served by its own entrance from Portland Road. Amenities would include a locker room, new bathrooms and a kitchen for employees.
Harmon said Emery Brothers of Buxton was low bidder last September, at $346,377.90, to perform the excavation work. Selectmen voted to award the company the contract, with Cliff Emery, a selectman and member of the family construction firm, recusing himself, according to Selectman Bob Libby.
The company is preparing the site for the building, installing drainage and building the road and parking area.
“We’re doing all the earthwork for the whole project,” Emery said Tuesday at the site.
Emery said construction of the building could begin in May. “We’re all ready,” Emery said.
Emery said the Maine Department of Protection requested a second review of the project following voter approval, delaying start of excavation to November. Then, the harsh winter further hampered work progress.
Risbara Brothers Construction of Scarborough received a $1,900 contract to clear trees for the project.
The town paid $9,000 for a drilled well, but will have to drill another because of water quality.
“There were problems with salt content,” said Harmon, who added that water in nearby town hall well doesn’t have problems and piping water to the garage could be an option.
Cliff Emery, Buxton selectman and a family member of Emery Brothers that is excavating the site for a new public works garage, reviews porgress Tuesday. Emery Brothers was low bidder for the earth work. Send questions/comments to the editors.
