Melrose Select Board Rejects All Main Street Sidewalk Bids, Defers Project to 2027

MELROSE — July 16, 2026 — Melrose Select Board rejects all Main Street Sidewalk bids and defers the project to 2027 after costs far exceeded estimates. Four bids opened July 8 ranged from $333,777 to $648,971, against an engineer's estimate of roughly $187,000 to $220,000, with low bidder Capital Pavement of Clearwater at $333,777. Board members attributed the gap to a late-June bid solicitation dropped into the middle of construction season, when contractors are already committed. "Everybody's busy already — they have all their projects set for the year," one member said. The board also accepted the resignation of council member Jolene Wheeling, effective July 16, approved a rezoning and child care conditional use permit for a Stearns Electric parcel at 900 Kraft Drive Southeast, and authorized a second redevelopment grant application to the state for the east side of Fifth Avenue, following a prior $669,700 award for the west side. The board approved pay application number one of $205,917.74 to Joel Riley Construction for 2026 street work, with a 5 percent retention held.