Bid Opening for OB pier postponed

    The State Office of Fishing and Boating Access had to postpone the bid opening scheduled for last Thursday. The reason was apparently due to the discovery that steel mills are only rolling type A252 steel at the present time.  The state’s specification was for type A690 steel (highly resistant to corrosion) so with the lack of steel pipe suppliers  able to provide contractors with a quote for A690 steel pipe they needed to postpone.  Doug Cameron reported that he is working with their consultant to determine an alternate pile type so that the bidding can be reopened with revised specs for that particular requirement.  Once that is determined he will be able to set a new bid opening date.  Hopefully, the completion date of June 30 won’t be impacted.

Effort Underway to Save Chappaquiddick Home on Eroded Bluff

Wasque Point is a remote place; this is the far southeastern corner of Chappaquiddick, an island off an island. The name comes from the Algonquin word Wannasque, which means “the ending.” Where the land ends, there is nothing but Atlantic Ocean, dotted with flocks of scoters bobbing where the waves break, and then it’s ocean as far as the eye can see.

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“Pier project proceeding on track"

On Wednesday the 6th, an on-site bidders meeting was held at the future site of the Oak Bluffs fishing pier by the Office of Fishing and Boating Access. Doug Cameron, Asst. Director, began the meeting with a brief overview of the project and a review of the bidding procedures.  The bid package is about 2” of diagrams, specifications, instructions, copies of various permits and various governmental rules on everything from insurance and Workman’s Comp to bid parameters.   Whether a sign of the economy or just general interest in the project, 8 or 9 companies were represented at the meeting.  According to Doug, that was a very good sign that they will receive good competitive bids.

There was very little discussion about the project specifications and it looked like everyone was enthusiastic about the project.  There were general comments about the state’s choice in selection of materials, the cross bracing design for the pier, damage sustained by the SSA dock during our two recent storms, and rest of the work proposed for that waterfront area. Bids will be opened in another two weeks and they are still projecting a completion date of June 30 of this year.

    A variety of competitive bids will be a good thing from a cost perspective but Doug commented that the shortfall from the original bonded amount will be made up primarily by saltwater fishing license funds and this will be only the second project to use that money.  The first project was a handicap accessible pier installed on the Bass River last season.  Everything remains on track for this project.”