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Council approves pump‑station contract and a package of equipment purchases, citing budgeted enterprise funds
Summary
Council and committees approved a range of capital items including a $2.4 million award for State Street pump station improvements, a $398,976 side‑loading refuse truck, multiple pickup purchases and salt and asphalt contracts; many were approved as part of the consent calendar from enterprise or capital budgets.
The Warwick City Council moved a package of capital spending items through committee and the floor on June 23, approving a mix of public works and fire/police equipment purchases that the administration says are budgeted and necessary to maintain services.
Public Works requested that the State Street water pump station improvements be awarded to Hart Engineering for $2,400,000 from budget code 84799. "The water division is requesting to award the bid for the State Street water pump Improvements to Hart Engineering in the amount of $2,400,000 from budget code 84799," Christie Moretti said during the Finance Committee presentation. She explained that an in‑house infrastructure program manager will oversee the project and that any award increases above the $2.4 million would require return to the council for approval.
Separately, the committee approved purchase of a side‑loading sanitation vehicle for $398,976 and a set of additional pickup/service vehicles and accessories (including utility bodies and plow packages) from enterprise capital funds. The council also approved one‑year contracts for bulk road salt and asphalt/concrete vendors, and a one‑year award for fire hydrants. Public Works noted the salt purchase at $73.10 per ton and said the salt barn was recently refilled in anticipation of shortages.
On public safety purchases, the fire department requested a proprietary award to Citcom for radio equipment and work connected to moving the dispatch center; the item was budgeted and staff said the vendor holds proprietary equipment for the city's existing system. The police department reported the planned withdrawal of two Ford F‑150s and sought purchase of two discounted Dodge Durango police package vehicles for sergeant supervisors; those purchases were funded through lease purchase funds.
Most consent items were approved by roll call as part of the council's consent calendar. Items included: • State Street water pump improvements — award to Hart Engineering for $2,400,000 (budget code 84799). • Side‑loading sanitation vehicle — $398,976 (sanitation equipment vendor). • One‑year salt contract extension — $120,000 (tonnage at $73.10 per ton). • Asphalt/hot mix and cold patch — award to multiple bidders for $80,000. • Fire radio (Citcom) contract exception — $264,781 (capital outlay for fire, remaining antenna work to be bid separately). • Police vehicle upfits, body repairs and related maintenance contracts were also approved under separate items.
What the city said: Christie Moretti noted the sanitation vehicle price was lower than budgeted and that vehicles are often subject to long lead times if procured outside state master agreements. Fire leadership said the Citcom system is proprietary in Warwick and switching would require broad, costly replacement by thousands of businesses.
What council members asked for: multiple council members requested clearer documentation of capital plans and budget balances for the water enterprise fund; some members urged more thorough comparisons to retail/vendor options before using state master price agreements.
Next steps: Procurement and contract execution to proceed; several items will go to the city for contract signature and implementation. Council asked the administration to clarify capital planning and to provide follow‑up reports on implementation.
