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Cheshire committee denies steel tariff reimbursement, authorizes hardwired temporary detectors for winter heating
Summary
The committee unanimously rejected a contractor request for reimbursement of tariffs on imported structural steel after reviewing vendor documentation, and approved time‑and‑material installations of hardwired, interconnected temporary heat/CO detectors during the winter heating period at both school sites per fire marshal request.
The School Building Committee voted to deny a contractor request for compensation tied to tariffs on imported structural steel after reviewing the submitted load‑by‑load tariff invoices and discussing the contractor’s sourcing decisions.
The contractor presented detailed documentation showing customs/tariff charges applied to multiple loads; committee members considered the documentation but concluded the town is not obligated to absorb additional costs that resulted from the contractor’s choice of supplier or routing. The committee voted unanimously to reject the reimbursement request and instructed staff to notify the vendor of the decision.
Separately, the committee authorized the installation of hardwired, interconnected temporary heat/CO detectors at both Barnum and Norton sites while construction uses temporary heating. The fire marshal preferred hardwired and interconnected devices so alarms would sound across the construction site; the committee approved the work on a not‑to‑exceed, time‑and‑material basis ($2,200–$2,500 range quoted by staff) and directed the contractor to remove the temporary devices when permanent systems are active.
Staff will document the temporary detector costs and the committee’s tariff decision in the project record; vendors were advised they may pursue contract remedies if they believe the contract entitles them to reimbursement.
