RFP for Caretaker/Tenant Mordecai Lincoln Property

The Town of Scituate Select Board is requesting proposals for a lease and caretaker services agreement for the Mordecai Lincoln Caretaker's Cottage at 62 Mordecai Lincoln Road, Scituate, Massachusetts, with sealed proposals due July 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM EST. The Town seeks a below-market rental arrangement to promote historic preservation through on-site caretaking and facilitation of public access to the property.

The caretaker's cottage is a circa-1800 two-story structure of approximately 1,000 square feet with one bedroom and one full bathroom, situated on the Mordecai Lincoln Property, a historic site containing three structures dating to the 1690s–1800s. The fair market rent is established at $2,250 per month for the initial 12-month term, payable in advance on the first day of each month, with a 3% annual increase for each renewal term. The initial lease term is one year with the option to renew for up to two additional one-year periods by mutual consent, contingent upon successful negotiation of final terms.

Caretaking responsibilities include weekly inspections of buildings and trails, daily exterior security inspections, snow and ice removal for access paths, and public engagement during dawn-to-dusk access hours. The tenant must assume responsibility for all utilities (electrical, oil, cable, and broadband), obtain and maintain renter's insurance with a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence coverage naming the Town as an additional insured, and perform comprehensive property maintenance.

Minimum eligibility requirements are age 18 or older, physical capability to perform core functions, no criminal record (subject to CORI background check), fiscal capacity to pay monthly rent, and compliance with state tax and child support laws. Evaluation criteria emphasize property management and building oversight experience (weighted toward seven or more years as highly advantageous), stewardship of historic properties and visitor education capacity, seasonal grounds maintenance experience, and professional presentation. Proposals must include sealed technical and price envelopes. Electronic and faxed proposals are not accepted. The Town reserves the right to hold proposals for up to 90 days for review prior to award.