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Deal Lake Commission secures path to keep $990,000 DEP grant, splits purchase and installation bids to meet July 1 deadline
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Summary
After DEP denied the originally proposed stormwater device, the commission agreed to buy DEP‑approved equipment by July 1 and advertise a separate installation bid so the commission can satisfy grant deadlines while seeking installation funding.
The Deal Lake Commission moved to protect a DEP stormwater-management grant by advertising purchase bids this month and separating the installation contract so equipment can be bought and paid for by the Department of Environmental Protection’s July 1 deadline.
"We had to come up with an alternate solution or give the money back," Peter said, describing repeated DEP denials of the originally proposed manufactured treatment device. Peter told commissioners the team found a DEP‑approved unit and reworked bid specifications so the purchase can be completed by July 1, with installation bid and funding handled separately.
Marco provided the treasurer’s numbers for the commission’s account before the discussion: "Total bond deposit, $335,266.38; total receipts, $849.77; total disbursements, $23,082.46," and confirmed funding steps to guarantee vendor production.
Don said the priority was to avoid losing the grant. "Nobody wanted to lose the $900,000," he said, noting the political and staff teams worked with DEP to find a path forward.
The commission’s procurement plan narrows the manufacturer list to speed delivery (Oldcastle was named as a manufacturer partner) and uses a base bid for three MTDs and three tree wells with an alternate for a fourth MTD/tree well. Commissioners discussed pre-contacting the manufacturer and guaranteeing funding so production can begin immediately after award.
Peter said a bid for purchase and delivery has been advertised and is due next Friday, and the commission intends to convene a special Zoom meeting (48-hour public-notice requirement) to award the purchase promptly after bids are opened. He added that DEP offered a compromise: allow purchase to be completed by July 1 using grant funds, and help find alternate funding for installation later.
The commission also reviewed reporting requirements: Steve confirmed he is preparing the precise billing descriptions and the quarterly report DEP requested (billing period July 1–March 31). Peter and others clarified that the grant award paperwork lists a $990,000 grant with roughly $110,000 in in‑kind services; when in‑kind was removed from the line-item resolution, the amount shown for commission budgeting read $880,000.
The motion to authorize the bid process for equipment purchase and the separate approach to installation passed on a voice/roll-call vote of the commissioners present. next steps include awarding the purchase at a special meeting and advertising a second bid package for installation costs, including crane rental and site restoration.
