HAMMONTON - The cheapest bid to build the town's next senior center had to be rejected last Monday for incompleteness, but the Town Council wouldn't have been thrilled with it anyway.
Officials have budgeted $480,000 - $400,000 from a state grant, $80,000 from the town - for the project at Hammonton Lake Park, and all five construction companies far exceeded that figure in their proposals. They ranged from $765,400 to $1,225,432.50.
The council will accept new bids through Nov. 19, hoping to award a contract at the Nov. 24 meeting. If the prices don't come down significantly, the government might have to find more grant money or set aside more local money.
The town could also design a less expensive senior center, though Mayor John DiDonato called the current design "a pretty basic building." It would stand on the former site of the park caretaker's house, and officials had hoped to open it next summer or fall.
"We wanted to get started as soon as possible," DiDonato said.
A senior center has operated downtown on Bellevue Avenue.
Solicitor Brian Howell rejected Ron Sirolli Construction's low bid because the names and registration information for subcontractors were omitted, Howell said.
jim you just gave out how much money the town has to spend and also gave out everyone's numbers. This is just like when you where on school board. The town made it clear that they did not want the numbers out in the meeting. then you wonder ! no if i am a contractor i know how much everyone else bid. good job . this from the guy that brought you the high school wih no bids. but hey the field house cost more then that. haha!
The numbers the town intended to spend has been advertised by Hammonton First on many occasions. The numbers for the costs were already from the bidders. Every bidder gets a report on all of the bids when the bids are opened. I gave out Public information that the bidders and the public already have had presented to them. That is how "open government" is supposed to be.
