After repairs to the Marion Natural History Museum were put on hold last month due to a “misunderstanding” with the contractor, town officials have once again begun the bidding process to find a new contractor.

In July, the museum’s 50-foot by 50-foot ceiling collapsed unexpectedly causing significant damage to interior of the facility as well as minimal damage to the museum’s artifacts.

Since then, officials approved a bid from the Canton-based Dimitrios C. Contracting to complete the repairs. However, after much discussion, Town Administrator Paul Dawson said the contractor neglected to include the cost of installing new carpeting in the original $34,700 bid.

“The contractor has declined to sign a contract with the town and we need to start from scratch,” Dawson said during Tuesday night’s meeting with the Selectmen.

Before the town can go out to bid again, Dawson said another engineering report has to be completed at the cost of $3,500. To cover the cost, Dawson said the town will receive partial funding from its insurance company and use the bond from Dimitrios C. Contracting’s bid to cover remaining costs.

For an additional $4,800, Dawson said the town could have engineering studies completed on the lighting and electrical systems of the museum. Although, the museum’s Board of Trustees has expressed interest in these repairs, it was decided that the cost would be too high, Dawson said.

Selectman John Henry was in favor of repairs to the lighting and electrical systems.

“I think it would be shortsighted not to update it now,” Henry said.

Because the systems are still working properly, Dawson said the cost to repair would not be covered by the town’s insurance company.

“The problem is the inability to pay for it. It would also require the museum to be out of business until after the summer. This project has kind of fallen off track,” Dawson said.

Since the ceiling collapsed, museum Executive Director Elizabeth Leidhold has moved the museum’s after-school programs to the adjacent Sippican School. Last month, Leidhold said she was frustrated with the lack of progress to complete the repairs.

“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.”

The Selectmen unanimously approved the funds to complete the engineering studies. Once complete, the engineering reports will be presented to the Selectmen before the project goes out to bid.