Town Commissioners — 2026-02-06

This special meeting (Feb 6, 2026) addressed the Queenstown Water Improvement Project after USDA notified the town it cannot concur with awarding the bid. USDA cited multiple problems: no valid engineering services agreement (a new agreement must be approved by the State Engineer and State Office by Feb 27, 2026); numerous documentation deficiencies (amended plans do not match the amended PER, plans stamped 2022 while the engineering license shown expired in 2024, missing/incorrect engineer acceptance letter and certified bid tab, incorrect engineer seal/signature, bid security insurance address mismatch, and an invalid bid due to additional stipulations on the Lindstrom bid form). USDA also found a funding shortfall and directed that the bids be rejected, that the project be restructured (redesign, phasing, or value engineering) and rebid on or before March 15, 2026. The record notes the loan/grant obligation will expire March 31, 2025 and the town may de-obligate and reapply for funds minus an $807,000 CDS grant; if the CDS grant is retained the town must provide a 25% match ($201,750). Engineers reported USDA is agreeable to a reduced scope (water main upgrades only), reduced plans have been resubmitted and could be ready to rebid after addressing the cited deficiencies, and Bob Rauch was instructed by the commissioners to proceed; the meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. and adjourned at 10:38 a.m.