Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak and staff recently met with the Department of Transportation Commissioner and State Representative Andrew McLean to discuss the Main Street Construction project. Gorham voters approved the Main Street Construction Project in a November 3, 2015 referendum but the project has been delayed twice, in 2017 and again this year. As the project was sent out to bid late in the season, only one contractor presented a bid and it was 48% over the budgeted amount.

One objective is to get the project bid out during the winter months before contractors have already set their work schedules for the following year. Getting the bid out sooner may solicit more bids and result in a more competitive bidding process. Additionally, bidding projects at that time of the year usually result in lower bids.

Paraschak stated, “The project will still happen, but the scope of the reconstruction will likely be diminished. The paving of Main Street will be completed, but some of the less noticeable elements such as increased drainage in some areas and replacement of some of the water mains under the street likely will not happen.”