Middletown council backs award of integrated security system for Middle/High School; execution conditioned on school committee approval

The Town of Middletown Town Council on June 15 approved a resolution to award the integrated electronic security and fire alarm contract for the Middletown Middle/High School to National Security Fire Alarm Systems of East Providence, with funding to come from school improvement bond proceeds, bond interest or bond premium and the school department’s capital projects fund.

Councilor Collins, who described the recommended vendor selection, said the town moved away from a proprietary system to an “open architecture” approach so the district can share services and incorporate existing, functioning systems. “We are able to develop a system that we can share across the town,” he said, noting the vendor is Rhode Island–based and can provide local staffing and support.

Staff told the council the contract bid came in below the current budget. Council members discussed figures in committee; the council recorded a roughly $50,000 variance under the line-item figure mentioned in the presentation.

The resolution passed by voice vote. The motion includes a clause that final authorization to execute the agreement is contingent on approval of the contract by the Middletown School Committee at its next meeting.

The town administrator and project staff said the approach is intended to support longer-term shared services and allow the town to reuse existing fob systems where appropriate, reducing redundant upgrades. The council did not set a contract execution date; staff will return with the school committee’s decision before the administration signs the agreement.