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Issue · Andover, NH

2026 Paving Plan and Road Contracts

$400,000 paving contract awarded for three roads after rejecting a non-conforming bid 4-1.

Overview

The 2026 Paving Plan emerged from routine highway reports and resident complaints about Flaghole Road, culminating in a May 7 presentation of a $400,000 shim-and-overlay project for three roads alongside resolution of a prior R&D Paving contract discrepancy.

Background

The 2026 Paving Plan first surfaced during the select board's April 2, 2026 meeting as part of the Highway Supervisor's routine report on road conditions and paving quotes.

A public comment at the April 16, 2026 meeting highlighted immediate resident concerns when Wood Sutton described severe potholes on Flaghole Road and requested repairs, prompting the board to acknowledge the issue while the Highway Department report noted ongoing contract status with R&D Paving.

By the May 7, 2026 meeting the Highway Supervisor presented a fully developed $400,000 plan targeting Plains Road, Elbow Pond Road, and Flaghole Road, all using a shim-and-overlay method; the board rejected restoring road width on Plains Road due to cost and debated shimming effectiveness on Flaghole Road.

The same meeting addressed a discrepancy in the prior R&D Paving contract, after which the board declined to hold a formal cancellation vote on the grounds that the contract was already concluded, setting the stage for new sealed bids due by May 21.

At the May 21, 2026 select board meeting, three sealed bids for the 2026 paving plan were opened. The board rejected the R&D Paving bid 4-1 as non-conforming on project breakdown and road width requirements, then awarded the contract to GMI/Peckham Road Corporation 5-0 covering Elbow Pond Road, Flaghole Road, and Plains Roads. The June 4, 2026 meeting confirmed paving operations on Elbow Pond and Flaghole Roads would begin the week of June 8.

At the June 18, 2026 select board meeting the Highway Supervisor reported progress on Hoyt Road along with upcoming paving on Plains Road pending a culvert replacement.

How it unfolded
Highway Department report covered paving quotes and R&D Paving contract status; resident Wood Sutton reported severe potholes on Flaghole Road.
2026-04-16Select Board
Highway Supervisor presented $400,000 paving plan for Plains Road, Elbow Pond Road, and Flaghole Road using shim-and-overlay; board debated method effectiveness, declined formal vote to cancel R&D Paving contract, and scheduled sealed bids.
2026-05-07Select Board
Bids for 2026 paving opened; R&D Paving bid rejected 4-1 for non-conformance on project breakdown and road width, paving contract awarded to GMI/Peckham 5-0 for Elbow Pond, Flaghole, and Plains Roads.
2026-05-21Select Board
Highway Department report noted paving on Elbow Pond and Flaghole Roads scheduled for week of June 8.
2026-06-04Select Board
Highway Supervisor reported progress on Hoyt Road and upcoming paving on Plains Road pending culvert replacement; Sam Hill Bridge remains weight-restricted.
2026-06-18Select Board
Key voices
“Flaghole Road has severe potholes posing a safety risk, especially to motorcyclists, and requested the town find material for repairs.”
Resident Wood Suttonselect-board 2026-04-16
“praised the Highway Department's recent improvements and offered to donate gravel and a road roller”
Jon Champagneselect-board 2026-06-18
“commended the crew for visible improvements in road safety and patching”
Jim Hansonselect-board 2026-06-18
What's next

Paving on Plains Road upcoming pending culvert replacement.

paving planR&D PavingGMI/PeckhamSam Hill Bridge