The Harpswell Select Board has selected Richmond-based contractor Wyman & Simpson Inc. to build a long-planned boat launch at town-owned George J. Mitchell Field for $1.55 million.
The town received three bids from local contractors. The base bids, excluding optional add-ons, ranged from just under $1.4 million to more than $1.7 million.
Wyman & Simpson’s base bid was $1.39 million. The other bidders were Topsham-based Crooker Construction LLC, at $1.66 million, and Orono-based Sargent Corp., at $1.74 million.
In November 2024, voters authorized the town to borrow up to $1,150,500 toward the cost of the launch, which was estimated at $2 million. Harpswell plans to cover the remainder of the cost with $492,250 in local funds set aside for the project and $357,250 in state grants.
In a Sept. 11 memo, Portland-based engineering firm GEI Consultants Inc. recommended the town choose Wyman & Simpson. It said Harpswell has about $1.88 million on hand for the project, more than Wyman & Simpson’s bid of $1.66 million for the boat launch plus an optional paved parking lot. The launch plus a gravel parking lot would cost $1.55 million, it said.
The Harpswell Select Board voted Thursday, Sept. 18, to award the contract to Wyman & Simpson. It opted for a gravel parking lot, with the possibility of adding pavement later.
GEI told the board it’s wise to set aside roughly 10% of the available funds for contingencies. The project’s estimated completion date is spring 2026.
