Parking Authority to use $5,000 grant to buy heavy-duty bicycle racks

The Parking Authority at Fairfield reported it received a $5,000 grant to buy bicycle racks and discussed vendor options and locations for installation.

Staff presented three vendor quotes and recommended purchasing heavy-duty racks — identified as similar to durable racks already in place on the north side of town — with a preference for the Uline product because of sturdiness and prior purchases from that vendor. Staff estimated buying multiple racks for Fairfield and Southport stations: about six racks in Fairfield and three in Southport depending on final placement. The quoted hardware subtotal for the selected racks was about $4,950, with shipping estimated at about $180; staff said sales tax would apply. Because the grant explicitly cannot be used to pay for installation, staff said it will contact public works to determine whether the town can install the racks in kind; if the town cannot provide installation, a contractor cost is possible but unknown.

Authority members also discussed siting: racks would be mounted in-ground and placed on northbound and southbound sides near platform seating areas so as to remove existing thin, rusting racks that attract locks and clutter. Staff said she would notify the state agency that provided the grant of the planned purchases and proposed locations and would request confirmation that the placement is acceptable on state-owned property where the racks would be mounted.

No formal vote was required at the meeting to proceed; staff said the state would send the grant funds within weeks and that staff would proceed with purchase and coordinate installation and placement approvals with the state and the town public works department.