CONWAY — After an extended bid process that saw the town reject the first slate of proposals this spring, the public safety building addition project can move forward with the approval of Maple Row Farm’s $419,000 bid.

The Selectboard awarded the bid to the Shelburne Falls-based contractor on Monday evening. Maple Row Farm will be tasked with constructing an addition on the east side of the more than 75-year-old public safety building at 15 Ashfield Road by creating individual offices for the Fire, Police and Ambulance departments, as well as a shower, laundry room and conference room.

“They are comfortable to start whenever we’re ready,” said Public Buildings Committee member Ken Ouimette, noting that Maple Row Farm’s bid was “substantially” lower than others submitted. “The good thing is we’re close by.”

Maple Row Farm’s proposal was the low bid of five up for consideration, with the second-lowest bid, $536,712, submitted by Integrity Development & Construction.

To pay for the project, the town has set aside $311,000 of leftover money from the Highway Department’s building project and $84,695 from the sale of public lands at the 2023 Annual Town Meeting. Approximately $390,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) will cover the rest of the project and if it stays within this nearly $786,000 total, then the project will be funded without additional taxpayer money.

While Maple Row Farm is going to handle the majority of the project, Highway Superintendent Ron Sweet and his crew will conduct the excavation work needed during off hours, which will save the town money by keeping work in-house. Compensation for the Highway Department’s work is not to exceed $50,000.

Additionally, Ouimette said students at Franklin County Technical School will get some hands-on experience, as they will be completing the mechanical, electrical and plumbing work on the addition.

The approval of the bid comes months after the Selectboard rejected bids this spring due to two primary reasons. The first being that Sweet, who had originally committed to excavation, said he no longer could undertake the project, which changed the scope of work. The second challenge was bids came in higher than anticipated.

Although the initial bidding process was upended, the Selectboard worked out a deal with Sweet regarding the excavation work and sent the project out to bid again in July. With the Selectboard’s approval, the project can finally move forward.

“This is exciting,” said Selectboard member Elaine Campbell. “It’s going to happen.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.