Cornwall board invokes emergency powers to replace failing town-hall steam boiler with mini-split HVAC

Town staff reported that the town-hall steam boiler has likely suffered a flange failure and that repairing the system would be time-consuming and costly; replacing the boiler and reworking scaled piping could push costs well beyond a simple boiler purchase because of required line and radiator work.

Officials presented a quicker alternative: install mini-split heat/air units in third-floor offices and baseboard heat in bathrooms, coupled with necessary electrical work. Staff recommended proceeding on an emergency basis with a local vendor (Petro) and an electrical contractor to restore heating before colder weather made the building unsafe or unusable.

The board passed an emergency resolution finding that the unforeseen steam boiler failure qualified under General Municipal Law §103 to allow the town to waive competitive bidding for replacement machinery. The resolution authorizes the supervisor to sign contracts and proceed with purchase and installation of mini-split units and associated electrical work.

Supervisor noted the difficulty and timeline of full steam-system replacement, estimating a replacement boiler cost of roughly $35,000 and additional extensive piping work that could quickly exceed that figure, making the emergency HVAC route the most pragmatic short-term approach.

Next steps: staff will finalize contracts and proceed with installation; the supervisor is authorized to execute documentation necessary to complete the purchase under the emergency exception to competitive bidding.