(A) When required; amounts. When a construction contract is awarded in excess of $25,000, the following bonds or security shall be delivered to the town and shall become binding on the parties upon the execution of the contract:
(1) A performance bond satisfactory to the town, executed by a surety company authorized to do business in the State of Rhode Island or otherwise secured in a manner satisfactory to the town, in an amount equal to 100% of the price specified in the contract; and
(2) A payment bond satisfactory to the town, executed by a surety company authorized to do business in the state or otherwise secured in a manner satisfactory to the town, for the protection of all persons supplying labor and material to the contractor or its subcontractors for the performance of the work provided for in the contract.
(B) Reduction of bond amounts. After notice to the Town Council, the purchasing agent is authorized to reduce the amount of performance and payment bonds to 50% of the contract price for each bond when a written determination is made that is in the best interests of the town to do so.
(C) Authority to require additional bonds. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the town to require a performance bond or other security in addition to those bonds, or in circumstances other than specified in division (A) of this section.
(D) Suits on payment bonds; right to institute. Unless otherwise authorized by law, any person who has furnished labor or material to the contractor or subcontractors for the work provided in the contract, for which a payment bond is furnished under this section, and who has not been paid in full within 90 days from the date on which that person performed the last of the labor or supplied the material, shall have the right to sue on the payment bond for any amount unpaid at the time the suit is instituted and to prosecute the action for the amount due that person. However, any person having a contract with a subcontractor of the contractor, but no express or implied contract with the contractor furnishing the payment bond, shall have a right of action upon the payment bond upon giving written notice to the contractor within 90 days from the date on which that person performed the last of the labor or supplied the material. That person shall state in the notice the amount claimed and the name of the party to whom the material was supplied or for whom the labor was performed. The notice shall be served personally or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, in an envelope addressed to the contractor at any place the contractor maintains an office or conducts business.
(E) Suits on payment bonds; where and when brought. Unless otherwise authorized by law, every suit instituted upon a payment bond shall be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction for the county or district in which the construction contract was to be performed.
(Ord. passed 9-19-05)