Town officials this week approved an approximately $65,000 contract with a New Canaan-based company to continue making improvements to a public bird sanctuary restored in recent years.
The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday voted 3-0 in favor of the $$64,679.04 contract with Peter Lanni Inc. for improvemtenis at Bristow Bird Sanctuary ahead of its planned centennial.
The work will include “additional trail installation and reconstruction, the installation of the hilltop destination and overlook, various fencing requirements and some related landscaping improvements,” Public Works Director Tiger Mann told the selectmen at their regular meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference.
The work also will include putting in footings for a future pavilion that should arrive in February, Mann said.
First Selectman Kevin Moynihan and Selectmen Kathleen Corbet and Nick Williams voted in favor of the contract.
Bristow is located between Mead Park and Route 106, with walkable entrances through the park as well as a pull-off by the main entrance on 106 (west of the intersection of Park and Bank Streets).
The selectmen asked whether the funds for the work are in the fiscal year 2023 budget (yes).
Corbet asked why there was only one company that bid in response to the RFP for the job.
Mann said that many companies are busy and that Lanni as a sole proprietor has pricing that others cannot match.
“The pricing for his work is hard to beat, therefore they’re deciding not to spend the money to go through the bid process,” he said.
Conservation Commission Chair Chris Schipper, the main driver of the restoration of Bristow, said Wednesday night during an update before the Parks & Recreation Commission that “visitation has been good.”
“I see a lotto seniors and I see a lot of strollers,” Schipper said.
The park “is looking better—it still has two years to go of work, some of that is in design now,” Schipper said, referring to the centennial in 2024.
[Note: This article was corrected with state route number 106 not 124.]
Where do you park to go to Bristow?
Park in Mead Park near the baseball fields. The walk begins at the far side of the Parking lot. Great place to enjoy nature.
Bristow location is accessed on Route 106, mot Route 124.
Thanks Peggy I’ve corrected that.