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Historical Society seeks ARPA help to repair Academy Hall alarm system; board asks for bids and fire chief review
Summary
The Historical Society requested ARPA funding to address a failing fire alarm panel at Academy Hall; quotes ranged from a nuisance fix (~$8,000) to full rewiring (~$27,990–$54,920). The board asked staff to get three competitive quotes and the fire chief’s recommendation and deferred action to Oct. 29.
Mark McMurphy (speaker 10), speaking for the Henniker Historical Society, asked the Select Board for ARPA funds to repair persistent alarm‑panel problems at Academy Hall. McMurphy said a temporary, used part installed in 2022 has failed and the society received quotes ranging from a nuisance‑fix to complete panel replacement and rewiring.
Diane Kendall (speaker 5) explained that because the building is a town building under long‑term lease the town would be the contracting agency and must follow town procurement policies. Finance staff and the town administrator recommended the town procure the work under the town’s procurement rules (requests for quotes) rather than subgranting funds to the nonprofit without oversight.
Board members asked the historical society to obtain three competitive bids, asked staff to obtain an inspection and recommendation from the fire chief (one board member said the current system may not meet NFPA standards), and agreed to revisit the request at the Oct. 29 meeting after additional quotes and the fire chief’s input are provided.
Ending: Action deferred pending three competitive quotes and the fire chief’s assessment.
