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Cumberland council approves sewer engineering and roof repair change orders, backs housing collaboration resolution
Summary
On May 6, 2026 the Cumberland Town Council approved a $23,800 change order for sewer engineering (to meet a 15% MBE grant requirement), a $19,222.16 change order for roof repairs at the old police station, and a resolution supporting municipal collaboration on affordable‑housing laws; one IT contract resolution was tabled.
The Cumberland Town Council on May 6 approved a set of routine but consequential items including a change order to add minority‑business participation on a sewer project and a change order to repair extensive water damage at the old police station.
Director Mendez told the council that a state grant for the Ashton and Berkeley sewer replacement requires that 15% of engineering work be allocated to a minority or women’s business enterprise. Because the originally envisioned firms were unavailable, the town’s approach splits surveying work between Dupree Engineering and a Connecticut‑based MBE firm, producing a cost difference of $23,800. The council approved the change order for PAW Corporation on a vote recorded as 6–1, with Councilor Sweet voting no.
Larry Enright, the town’s building official, explained why a change order to Roof Masters was necessary for work on the old police station: stripping the roof exposed rotted underlayment and trusses that had been damaged by long‑term water infiltration, requiring replacement and thicker sheathing to meet code. The council approved the Roof Masters change order not to exceed $19,222.16, 7–0.
The council also approved Resolution 26‑23, a unanimous vote to join other municipalities in reviewing and responding to state affordable‑housing laws, and approved a contract template for rental of the Lodge at Diamond Hill Park (Resolution 26‑26) 7–0. Resolution 26‑19, a proposed contract renewal with Retrofit Technology for IT management, was tabled to the May 20 meeting at the request of the responsible official.
Council members asked that the grant‑funding source cover the added PAW Corp. costs; Director Mendez confirmed the grant would pay the increase. Councilors requested that staff continue to verify vendor and contractor rates and report any future cost differentials to the council before final award.
The council adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
