State officials on $100K bathroom: We should be more careful

BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts transportation secretary has issued a statement saying they will be “more careful” in the future after an investigation revealed transportation officials authorized a no-bid contract for a small $100,000 bathroom.

The 115-square-foot bathroom and adjoining kitchenette was installed last year at the State Transportation Building inside the new state Transportation Department and MBTA board room. The project was fast-tracked and not put up to bid, which is usually done to make contractors compete and keep costs down.

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A spokesman for the department previously said the bathroom was needed because board members are sometimes followed to a nearby public restroom by reporters during public meetings.

State Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack tells WCVB-TV they should have been more careful to minimize the cost of the project.

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Information from: WCVB-TV, http://www.thebostonchannel.com