Board Violated
Its Own Policy

When the public provides to a selectboard funds from an approved bond issue in the amount of $1.2 million, it has a reasonable expectation that the board will act with due diligence in vesting those funds in the taxpayer’s interest.

When that did not happen in the course of awarding, in violation of the town’s purchasing policy, a non-advertised, no-bid, single-source, design/build contract to DuBois & King, Inc. of Randolph for the proposed addition and alterations to the Randolph Municipal Building, a lawsuit was filed June 3, 2005, seeking to enjoin the Town from proceeding.

Notwithstanding his failure of fiduciary duty, the chair of the Selectboard dismissed with arrogant disdain efforts to reach a settlement, even when explained that analysis of this non-competitive bid contract indicated a minimum of some $200,000 in fees in excess of the industry standard.

The chair, undeterred by his indifference to the truth, was further emboldened by the town attorney’s advice that the matter would soon be dismissed by the court. It wasn’t.

On Feb. 26, 2007, a court of law found that the Town of Randolph Selectboard had violated its own purchasing policy and enjoined it from further action under the contract.

William Kevan

Randolph

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