Council shifts $150,000 to Tafel Fire Station roof after debate over cost estimates

Norwich City Council amended a proposed capital improvement fund reallocation on June 2, transferring $150,000 from a public-works radio-equipment line to the Tafel Fire Station roof account and adopting the resolution as amended by a 7-0 vote.

Council President Pro Tem Joseph A. DeLucia offered the amendment to move funds from an item listed as “public works radio equipment” to increase the line for “Tafel Roof Repairs.” The council adopted the amendment and then approved the overall resolution 7-0.

The move came after several aldermen expressed “sticker shock” at initial cost estimates and asked whether the city had secured fixed pricing or would put the work out to competitive bid. City staff told the council they had a contractor estimate from Garland — described as being on the state contract list — of between $270,000 and $290,000 to replace the flat roof. Staff also noted the tentatively adopted fiscal year 2026 budget included $155,000 toward the roof and that adding the $150,000 transfer should bring the city close to the contractor’s estimate.

“This is a commercial grade roof,” President Pro Tem DeLucia said during the discussion, explaining why the project cost is higher than a residential roof. He told the council staff reported the roof membrane had delaminated from the insulation and that the roof was leaking into the station.

Alderman Gold asked whether the city had only one estimate and whether going out to bid might produce a lower cost; staff said the city could still solicit bids despite having the contractor estimate and the budget allocation. Several aldermen, including Alderman Nash, said they were surprised at the size of the estimate but did not oppose funding the repair given the roof’s reported condition.

The council adopted the amendment and the resolution by roll call. The final recorded vote on the amended resolution was 7-0.

Clarifying details from the meeting: the contractor estimate from Garland was reported as $270,000–$290,000 for the flat roof; the tentatively adopted FY26 budget already included $155,000 toward the Tafel roof; the amendment transferred $150,000 from the public-works radio equipment line to the Tafel roof line. Council members asked that the project be put out to bid to verify the price.

The roof work was described as affecting the older part of the Tafel Fire Station (not the later addition) and as a commercial rubber membrane roof over insulation and sheathing. Staff warned that many penetrations and edges were compromised and that the membrane was in a state of failure.