It was a busy night for bids. The Barrington Town Council approved a number of bid requests during the May 6 meeting. 

BAY Team — $122,832

The Council approved (3-0 vote) a bid request by the BAY Team/Prevention Coalition to hire a prevention coordinator for the remainder of 2024 and all of 2025. The BAY Team selected recent Roger Williams University graduate Hannah Oliver for the position. Her contract is for $27,720 for the remainder of the 2024 grant year and $67,392 for the 2025 grant year. “This is a 100 percent grant-supported contract position,” stated a memo to the Council. BAY Team Director Denise Alves spoke about Oliver and the work she will complete. “We’re excited,” Alves said. 

Finance department — $207,000

Barrington Finance Director Kathy Raposa spoke to Council members about a bid for auditing services for the town. Raposa recommended the Council award the bid to Bacon and Company, LLC, which was both the lowest qualified bidder and has also handled Barrington’s auditing services in the past. Raposa said Bacon and Company has been approved by the Auditor General of Rhode Island. Council members voted 3-0 to award the bid to Bacon and Company, LLC. 

Walker Farm — $41,200

The Town Council voted 3-0 to approve a bid for engineering services related to the Walker Farm improvement project. According to a memo to the Council, Barrington needs to re-bid some of the work. “Rebidding requires additional services from Fuss & O’Neill, the project engineer,” stated the memo.

During the Council meeting, Town Planner Teresa Crean explained that some of the work was not included in the contract.  The bid was for $41,200 to amend the contract with Fuss and O’Neill. The money will come from the balance of the purchase order established for the general contractor — the funds were originally from the Field Maintenance, Parks and Trails Capital Reserve, Climate Mitigation Capital Reserve, and American Rescue Plan Act. Council President Carl Kustell said the Walker Farm project was a worthy investment. The project includes coastline renovation, new docks and paths, and more.

Comp. plan rewrite — $165,000

The Council approved a bid for $165,000 to engage a firm — Michael Baker International of Waltham, Mass. — to assist in rewriting the town’s comprehensive plan. According to a memo to the Council, the town received two bids in response to a request for qualifications. A committee reviewed the bids and recommended Michael Baker International. The comp. plan rewrite is required by the state, officials said, and the town’s current plan expires in 2025. 

During the May 6 meeting, Barrington resident and former Council member Ann Strong asked if the $165,000 cost was an annual fee, since the town is completing the 10-year rewrite. Crean said there will just be the one-time cost, and town staff will handle the annual updates to the state once the plan is re-written.