FARMINGTON — The select board awarded a $2.66 million contract for the Main Street Phase 1 construction project to Scully Construction of Smithfield.

The decision came after board members May 12 pressed the company’s owner about experience, staffing and whether the project could be completed on schedule.

The project must begin before the end of June to meet Municipal Partnership Initiative grant requirements and is expected to bring major downtown roadway, sidewalk, drainage, lighting and pedestrian infrastructure improvements.

Public Works Director Phil Hutchins recommended awarding the contract to Scully Construction after six companies submitted bids.

“This project must be started before the end of June and last no longer than two years,” Hutchins told the board during Tuesday’s meeting.

According to bid documents prepared by Dirigo Engineering, Scully Construction submitted the apparent low bid at $2.66 million. Other bids ranged from $2.9 million to more than $4.1 million.

Board members questioned Brendan Scully about whether his company could handle a project of that scale, noting concerns raised in engineering reference documents and prior local experiences with construction delays on other downtown projects.

Scully attended the meeting and answered questions from board members for more than 15 minutes regarding staffing, equipment, subcontractors, traffic management and prior project experience.

He acknowledged the Farmington project would be the largest contract his company has undertaken. During the discussion, he said previous projects completed by the company totaled about $1.3 million combined in the prior year.

Scully told the board he was comfortable managing the subcontractors and schedule required for the project and said much of the work would involve coordinating specialized subcontractors for paving, curbing and masonry work.

“Our intention would be to get this project completed this year,” Scully said.

The project includes pavement milling and paving, granite curbing, sidewalk construction, drainage improvements, retaining walls, pedestrian rapid flashing beacons, lighting infrastructure and water main-related work.

A reference review prepared by Dirigo Engineering stated that Scully Construction submitted all required bid documents and received positive feedback from prior references, but noted the company “lacks comparable work experiences” at this scale as a business.

The engineering firm also suggested the town consider interviewing Scully Construction before making a final decision

Several board members referenced past problems associated with a previous downtown Front Street project, including delays and contractor transition issues, while discussing whether sufficient safeguards existed in the contract.

During the discussion, participants also noted state specifications already include liquidated damages provisions tied to missed deadlines.

Board members additionally raised concerns about traffic disruptions, utility relocations and construction timing as work moves into the busy summer and fall seasons. Scully said utility coordination and paving schedules would likely present the biggest timing challenges.

One board member said there was consideration given to using a more local contractor, but the difference between Scully’s bid and higher ones was too large to ignore in the current economy.

The board ultimately voted to award the contract to Scully Construction.