LIVERMORE — The Board of Selectpersons voted 4-0 Tuesday night to award the contract for mowing town cemeteries to Robert Martin of Livermore Falls for $16,500 for each of the next three years.

Chairman Mark Chretien abstained from voting because his uncle was one of the bidders.

The others six bidders were:

• Ross LaFreniere of Jay, $19,500 for 2017, $20,000 for 2018 and $20,500 for 2019;

• James Chretien of Livermore Falls, $17,500 for each of the next three years;

• Steven Grondin of Lewiston, $13,200 for 2017, $13,400 for 2018 and $13,600 for 2019;

• Mike Webber of Livermore Falls,  $20,000 for 2017, $20,500 for 2018 and $20,800 for 2019;

• Jeremy Richards of Jay, $19,500 for 2017, $19,750 for 2018 and $20,000 for 2019; and

• Keith Cornelio of Jay, $15,126 for 2017, $15,136 for 2018 and $15,146 for 2019.

Administrative Assistant Amy Byron said $17,700 was budgeted for this year. 

“That’s the problem with these contracts that span three years and span fiscal years and budget years,” she said.

Selectperson Wayne Timberlake initially suggested going with the low bidder.

Selectperson Timothy Kachnovich said that was a very, very low price.

Selectperson Megan Dion asked if Grondin was familiar with the number of cemeteries in Livermore.

Selectperson Tom Gould asked if there were any exclusions and if being from out of town was a reasonable consideration to reject the low bid.

Chretien pointed out that by law cemeteries where veterans are buried have to be done by Memorial Day.

Dion called Grondin and Cornelio to ask about their equipment, number of employees and if they could have all the cemeteries mowed by Memorial Day.

It was learned that Grondin owns a landscaping company, has several pieces of equipment and sufficient employees to have the cemeteries mowed in time.

Cornelio had some equipment, would hire boys to help him but said he would only be able to get to the six largest cemeteries by Memorial Day. He doesn’t have insurance now, but would obtain it if awarded the contract.

Martin and Ray Libby work together. They have several years of experience and the equipment to do the mowing by Memorial Day.

Kachnovich said in the future, pictures of equipment and proof of insurance should be included with the bids.

This was the second round of bids because Mike Booker was awarded the contract in the first round and then withdrew.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net