Vernon board approves kitchen-equipment contract, fire-pump replacement and multiple services; Glen Meadow window bids rejected
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Summary
The board awarded a $942,737 kitchen-equipment contract, approved a $178,000 replacement of the high-school fire pump with funds reassigned from another project, approved security and telecom contracts and other purchases, and rejected bids for Glen Meadow window upgrades under state bidding statutes.
The Vernon Township Board of Education approved a package of capital and service contracts and several design changes during its Feb. 20 public meeting, including a nearly $943,000 award for kitchen equipment and a $178,000 replacement of a high-school fire pump the district said had reached the end of its useful life.
The board voted to award a contract for kitchen-equipment replacement at multiple schools to Walcott Group, Inc., accepting the base bid and certain alternates for a total award of $942,737. The district also approved a proposal from Herring Fire Protection to replace the turbine fire pump at Vernon Township High School for $178,000. The agenda said the pump had failed routine testing and vendors declined to perform required testing because of corrosion; district staff said the replacement is needed so the pump can be tested and kept in compliance with the fire marshal’s requirements.
To pay for the high-school pump project, the board approved a reallocation of funds in the amount of $191,465, transferring money from the Rolling Hills School fire-alarm replacement project to the high-school fire-pump replacement. Staff explained the long-range facilities plan already includes the high-school project; because it is listed in the long-range plan, the board can approve the transfer by resolution rather than seeking county approval.
The board also approved several other items on the consent agenda, including:
- A design cost deduction of $7,500 by EI Associates related to kitchen-equipment replacement (district said Walnut Ridge kitchen was removed from scope).
- A $13,465 proposal from Weatherproofing Technologies for installation of an access hatch to the Vernon Township High School fire pump roof (bid via cooperative contract).
- A proposal from Minuteman Security and Safety to upgrade the district door-access control system for $83,196.31.
- A three-year master telecommunications license agreement with Planet Networks for a dedicated 10 Gbps internet circuit at $2,470.97 per month, beginning July 1, 2025.
- A renewal agreement with Educational Data Services for $23,025 (Jan. 1, 2025–June 30, 2026) and a Sussex County Ed Services Commission contract to provide a school psychologist two days a week at a stated cost of $23,876.86 (the agenda indicates the psychologist service began in December 2024 and staff said they would follow up with details about assignment/location).
- The board approved a contract with Spire Adolescent Counseling Center to provide student services for a listed student; the agenda language recorded a rate described as “675 hours a week,” which staff acknowledged in the meeting and which appears to be a transcription or typographical error; the district will clarify the correct rate and unit of service.
Separately, the board adopted a resolution rejecting all bids received for the Glen Meadow Middle School window upgrade project. The district said the lowest bidder, Panorak Windows, submitted a bid with a material defect that failed to meet statutory requirements, and the other bids exceeded the project estimate; the rejection cited NJSA 18A:18A-18 and NJSA 18A:18A-20. The board approved a design change (notice number 3) to re-bid the window project, adding $3,500 to cover the rebid cost.
Votes at a glance
- Kitchen equipment replacement — Walcott Group, Inc., award for $942,737: approved on motion and roll-call vote (motion to accept bid and award contract).
- Vernon Township High School fire-pump replacement — Herring Fire Protection, $178,000: approved; board resolution to reassign $191,465 from Rolling Hills fire-alarm replacement to fund the project.
- Glen Meadow Middle School window upgrade — all bids rejected under NJSA 18A:18A-18 and NJSA 18A:18A-20: resolution adopted to reject bids and re-bid; design change notice for $3,500 approved.
- Minuteman Security & Safety door access upgrade ($83,196.31), Planet Networks telecom agreement ($2,470.97/month), Weatherproofing access hatch ($13,465), EI Associates design deduction ($7,500), Educational Data Services renewal ($23,025), Sussex County Ed Services psychologist contract ($23,876.86), Spire counseling contract (student-specific): all approved as part of the consent motion 2a–2u.
Board members recorded as voting in favor during the roll call that approved the package included Mister Krauss, Miss Pellet, Mister Sweeney, Miss Vaccarello, Mister Zimmerman, Mister Cimaglia, and Mister Contino. The agenda and meeting minutes note that Mister Krauss recorded abstentions on specific subitems (b and c) during an earlier roll call; staff clarified abstention specifics in the meeting record.
Why it matters: the approvals fund safety- and code-related work (fire pump replacement and testing) and invest in district infrastructure (kitchen equipment, door access, internet service). The rejected window bids require a re-bid and will delay that portion of the capital program.
Follow-up: staff said they will provide a written clarification about the Spire contract rate and the Sussex County school-psychologist assignment and will post contract documents as attachments to the minutes.