A Southwick Fire Department vehicle blocks the travel lanes of College Highway after a large tree limb broke loose causing a major power outage in Southwick in 2010. The Southwick Department of Public Works (DPW) is accepting sealed bids for tree maintenance and equipment rental through Aug. 30. (File photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – The Department of Public Works (DPW) is accepting sealed bids for tree maintenance and equipment rental through Aug. 30.
DPW Director Jeffrey Neece said it is part of the department’s annual goods and services bids. However, this is the first year a bid for tree work is being made.
“Much of this is the result – and part of afterthoughts – from the October storm last year,” Neece said.
The bids include different pieces of equipment and different types of personnel.
“This way if a tree falls and it’s a bigger job than we can handle with our employees, we have help,” said Neece.
Following the 2011 October storm, the town embarked on a six-month cleanup that involved stringent Federal Emergency Management Agency rules and regulations for reimbursement.
“We went through a huge learning curve about what the procedures are for doing the work and working with FEMA,” said Neece. “The work was finished and the reimbursement process is winding down now.”
Neece said in the event of a devastating storm, the successful bidder would be called in along with other service providers.
Sealed bids will be received by the Department of Public Works for Tree Maintenance/Equipment Rental no later than 10 a.m. Aug. 30, 2012, at 454 College Highway Southwick, MA ,01077; where they will be opened and read by the Chief Procurement Officer and Director of Public Works. Bid Specifications may be picked up at the Department of Public Works Office between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on or after Aug. 13, 2012 at the above address.
The Board of Selectmen reserves the right to reject any and all bids, waive irregularities or call for new bids. A certificate of non-collusion must be submitted with a bid. Proper Insurance is required. A bid bond of 5 percent is required. Attention is called to the prevailing wage rates as determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Industries under provisions of General Laws, Chapter 149, and Sections 26 to 27G, inclusive. All bids for this project are subject to the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 30B as amended.
Neece said the services are for the current fiscal year and will add to other goods and service bids, such as paving, guard rails, line striping, purchasing materials and more.
