Henniker's fuel plight

Henniker selectmen made a decision Tuesday night that would seem to have regional ramifications for other towns as the skyrocketing fuel costs assault our finances. Confronted with a request to allow an increase in the bid for a paving project because of a sudden increase in the contractor's cost for asphalt, the town board agreed on a compromise hike to keep the contractor from losing money.
The altered bid was unusual in that agreements are subject to usual "bidder beware" conditions that hold bidders' feet to the fire regardless of changes in the marketplace. As selectmen noted, the bid would hardly have been lowered had contractor costs taken a nose-dive.
Still, selectmen demonstrated sympathy for the plight of those facing the uncertainties of the chaotic energy crisis, and other towns may face similar pocketbook dilemmas.