Fire Chief presents Safe Haven Baby Box purchase proposal for installation at fire station

Fire Chief Brian Sebald presented a proposal that would authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Safe Haven Baby Boxes, Inc. to purchase a single Baby Box for Trenton, with the city’s share of the program costs capped “at approximately $24,700,” according to the meeting minutes. Sebald said the quoted initial fee is $16,000, there is an annual fee of about $600 for recertification, maintenance and training, and optional costs could total up to $7,500.

The item was framed as a purchase and contract authorization rather than a turnkey construction package: Chief Sebald said staff is identifying an appropriate installation location at the fire station and that construction costs would be handled separately. He also said the project has been in development for nearly two years, including prior discussions and a presentation from Safe Haven representatives.

Council members asked clarifying questions about ongoing costs and contract details; Sebald clarified there is an annual fee—“approximately $600”—for recertification, maintenance, repairs and training. The minutes do not specify the contract term length or whether the council took a final vote on this purchase at the work session.

The proposal will remain on the record for future action: staff will continue to identify a site and scope construction work separately from the vendor purchase. No formal approval or spending authorization for construction was recorded in these segments.