During the North Smithfield Town Council meeting on January 6, 2025, council members discussed the award of a bid for the rehabilitation of the Maori communication tower, a project funded by a $140,000 grant from Senator Reid's office. The council had contracted PAR Engineering in April 2022 to assess the tower and prepare bid documents. After reviewing bids opened on December 16, 2024, the lowest bid was submitted by Mill City Construction at $151,396, which aligns with PAR's estimated costs.

The council emphasized the urgency of starting the project, as the grant expires on June 1, 2025. To cover the total project costs, which may increase due to potential environmental remediation for asbestos and lead, the council plans to utilize an additional $86,733.69 from a capital fund reserve. The contractor will be required to obtain multiple quotes for any necessary environmental work, although the specifics of this requirement were not confirmed during the meeting.

Council members raised questions about the timeline of the project, noting delays due to site access issues related to the installation of a monopole by REMA. The council aims to proceed with the base bid initially, deferring any additional services until the environmental assessments are completed.

The motion to award the bid to Mill City Construction was made and seconded, but due to a council member's recusal, the vote was postponed until a full council could convene. This project represents a significant step in maintaining critical communication infrastructure in the community, highlighting the council's commitment to addressing both immediate needs and long-term safety concerns.