While councilor Jerry Quirion claims a quorum of councilors have discussed town business in secret at Peter Drapeau's property, the chairman said the claim is false and part of a personal vendetta.
Criticism had been directed at council Chairman Peter Drapeau for voting to award the contract to Pike Industries even though Drapeau's company does business with Pike.
The Town Council gave preliminary approval Monday to consolidating the operations as part of a cost-saving move other towns such as Hampden have adopted.
The $40.5 million project to replace the bridge over the Kennebec River between Waterville and Winslow on U.S. Route 201 is scheduled to start this fall or in the spring of next year.