Plans to repair the Marion Natural History Museum ceiling are on hold as town officials sort out issues with the contractor.

Last month, the town accepted a bid of $34,700 from the Canton-based Dimitrios C. Contracting to rebuild the museum’s ceiling, which had collapsed in July.

Since then, the contractor has said that the original estimated cost would not cover the necessary work.

This has left Marion officials frustrated.

“The contractor indicated that the materials and labor related to the carpeting would not be covered in the bid. This work was called for in the specifications,” said Town Administrator Paul Dawson.

The museum’s ceiling, which was built in 1872, collapsed five months ago due to the natural deterioration of the building.

Since then, museum Director Elizabeth Leidhold has held the museum’s after-school programs at the adjacent Sippican School.

Leidhold said she was grateful for the school officials’ hospitality, but added that she was anxious to be able to move back in to the museum.

“It’s extremely frustrating and it's sad,” Leidhold said. “I don’t really know where I’m going to put my spring and winter programs.”

Dawson said he hopes to resolve the issue soon, but he has been having trouble getting in touch with the contractor.

“If we don’t hear from him soon, we’re just going to have to reject the bid and start the process all over again,” Dawson said.