The Grosse Ile Township Recreation Commission voted to approve the purchase of double‑pane windows for the red barn at Centennial Farm at its May 1 meeting; the motion carried despite at least one commissioner voting no.

The windows purchase is intended to address long‑running maintenance needs at the red barn and is referenced in the township's lease agreement for Centennial Farm as a repair responsibility. Assistant Director Ash told the commission she had been asked to bring the item forward but did not receive full procurement documentation to present at the meeting. "They did not give me any information. I'll be honest," Ash said during discussion.

Commission conversation focused on procurement process and costs. A commissioner noted prior estimates for insulation work that were substantially higher — "like 30,000, something wild," — and said the current approach mixes contractor work and in‑house supplies and labor in an effort to reduce cost. Commissioners sought clarity on whether the window quote resulted from a competitive bid or a single source; Jamieson, the township board liaison, said, "Before I bring this to the board, I'm gonna need, like, the history, the bid package, the other bidders." The commission chair and staff agreed the purchase would be recommended to the township board with the expectation that the board would receive the full bid history and supporting documents.

Formal action recorded at the meeting was a motion to approve the purchase of double‑pane windows for the red barn at Centennial Farm; mover and seconder were not specified on the record. The motion passed and was forwarded as a recommendation to the township board for final review. Jamieson cast the single recorded opposing vote; other named commissioners voted in favor.

Discussion-only points included whether the township is contractually responsible for the repairs under its lease with the farm operator and whether future, larger projects at Centennial Farm (horse stalls, other structural repairs) should be bid separately. Commissioners emphasized the need for transparency and standard procurement documentation before township board consideration.

The commission did not adopt additional procurement policy at this meeting; staff were directed to compile and provide the bid package, bidder list, and cost history to Jamieson to share with the township board.

The commission will place the windows purchase on the township board's agenda after staff provides the requested procurement records.