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Council ratifies emergency purchase and contract change after supplier failed to deliver critical water‑treatment chemical
Summary
Council endorsed an emergency procurement and a contract termination related to ammonium sulfate — a chemical the borough uses at its water treatment plant — after the low bidder could not supply the product; Univar supplied emergency stock and will be named replacement supplier for 2025.
Council voted unanimously to affirm the borough’s emergency procurement of ammonium sulfate and to terminate the prior supplier’s contract after the original low bidder was unable to deliver a chemical the borough uses at its water and sanitary‑sewer treatment plants.
Solicitor Scott (staff/speaker) summarized the issue: BrendTag Northeast (reported as the successful bidder) could not provide the ammonium sulfate, leaving the borough with about a 10– to 14‑day supply of the product. Borough staff bought an emergency supply from Univar (the second‑place bidder). Council considered two related resolutions: one to ratify the emergency procurement and another to terminate the Brenntag Northeast agreement for ammonium sulfate and authorize a contract with Univar for the remainder of 2025 at the original bid price.
Councilmember Moore moved to adopt the emergency procurement resolution (citing borough procurement code emergency provisions); the motion was seconded and carried 8–0. A separate motion to terminate the Brenntag agreement and authorize Univar as replacement supplier also passed 8–0.
Council discussion focused on transparency and the critical nature of the chemical to safe water treatment; staff said they brought the matter to council despite emergency‑procurement authority so the public record would reflect council review.
Votes and outcome
- Emergency procurement affirmation (ammonium sulfate): motion carried 8–0. - Termination of Brenntag Northeast agreement and authorization of Univar as replacement supplier: motion carried 8–0.
Why it matters: Ammonium sulfate is flagged by staff as critical to the borough’s water‑treatment operations; running low could affect treatment processes. Council ratified staff actions to secure immediate supply and formalized replacement contracting for the year.
