Melbourne Beach commissioners authorize bids for firehouse roof, cupola options

Melbourne Beach commissioners voted unanimously March 31 to instruct town staff to obtain three bids to replace the fire department building's roof with a shingle system and to include an option to remove the cupola and add ridge vents.

The vote followed a detailed discussion among commissioners, the town manager, the building official and fire department personnel about recurring water intrusion, mold, interior damage and the limitations of the town's maintenance capacity. Town Manager Elizabeth Mascaro told commissioners, "we do have a hundred and 10 thousand in our long term capital for the roof." Building Official Robert Bickman said an aluminum roof option he had priced was "gonna be a quarter of a million dollars... you might as well figure about 250." In public comment, firefighter and resident Lauren Hartman said she was "utterly embarrassed as a resident constantly seeing this," citing mold and water-damaged furniture and equipment.

The commission’s action directs the town manager to solicit three written quotes for a shingle roof with a separate line item to remove the cupola and provide ridge venting sufficient to ventilate the attic space. Commissioners said they want the roof work prioritized because the roof protects the rest of the building and because hurricane season is approaching.

During the discussion, officials described several specific problems: chronic leakage at the cupola during high winds, unsealed or poorly functioning window tray systems that can trap water, missing or deteriorated neoprene washers on roof fasteners, soffits that are open or damaged and interior drywall that has been removed and left exposed while awaiting permanent repairs. Mascaro and the building official said portions of the work will likely require contractors with lifts or scaffolding because town public works lacks equipment to safely reach the high cupola and roof elements. Bickman explained that the cupola currently serves as part of the attic ventilation and could be removed if ridge vents are installed across the roof ridges.

Firefighters and residents urged quicker action. Lauren Hartman, who identified herself as a firefighter and long-time resident, described mold recurring after storms and rust on equipment; she said the condition has affected morale and safety. Resident Jim Simmons urged the commission to avoid piecemeal repairs, arguing that hiring a qualified contractor to do a full scope often costs less over time than repeatedly repairing the same defects.

Commissioners and staff discussed options to address the full set of repairs: immediate, targeted maintenance to stop ongoing water intrusion (for example resealing flashing, replacing worn neoprene gaskets and reattaching downspouts), contracting for higher-elevation work the town cannot safely perform, and preparing a comprehensive maintenance inventory and schedule for town facilities. Staff said they would prepare a consolidated scope of work that lists roof replacement, cupola removal option, window repairs, drywall replacement and soffit repair so the commission could decide which items to contract and which, if any, public works could handle.

At the meeting several cost references were cited: the town’s long-term capital account holds $110,000 earmarked for the roof; Bickman provided an estimated aluminum roof quote on the order of $250,000; and staff said an insurance deductible equal to about 10 percent of loss would require roughly $500,000 in damage before insurer payment would apply. Commissioners expressed interest in getting both three formal bids for the shingle roof with cupola options and, where feasible, ballpark estimates for other repairs so the town could inform the public about alternatives and costs.

The commission voted 5-0 to approve the motion to solicit three bids for a shingle roof and to include a separate price to remove the cupola and add ridge venting. Commissioners said staff should return with the bids at a future meeting and that work on the roof should be prioritized to prevent further interior damage. Staff and commissioners also discussed developing a maintenance tracking template for town facilities and scheduling quarterly check-ins between public works and town management to monitor deferred maintenance.

The town manager and building official said specifics about contractor availability and final scope depend on the quotes returned; they also warned that many roofing contractors are busy and lead times can be long. The commission did not set a firm spending authorization in the motion and deferred any contract award or budget adjustment to a subsequent meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Task town manager to obtain three quotes for a shingle roof for the fire department building with an option to remove the cupola and add ridge venting. Mover: not specified; Second: not specified. Outcome: approved, 5-0.

What happens next

Staff will solicit three written quotes as directed and return to the commission with the bids and recommended next steps. Commissioners said they want the roof procurement underway before hurricane season and asked staff to include an itemized scope so the commission can weigh doing some work now versus a more comprehensive capital project later.