The Coldwater Board of Public Utilities approved funding for its share of a phone-system replacement project to replace equipment reaching end of life in October and no longer supported by the vendor.

Pat Poole (presenter) told the board the existing phone system dates from 2002 and will be unsupported after October; an RFQ went to three vendors, two responded and one declined. The board packet recommended a Mitel-based solution from BSP/BSB (vendor relationship noted) with installation services and a 10% contingency for the RFQ’s non-engineer design. The total five-year total-cost-of-ownership was estimated at $95,506; the BPU share is $47,753 and will be split between general and utility funds. Pat said BSP’s proposal was cheaper over five years compared with CoreTech and noted installation and training needs.

Board members asked about expected useful life; Pat said the system should last at least five years and she anticipated perhaps seven years for the flagship Mitel product. The board moved and approved the project funding for the BPU share.