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Selectmen approve Board of Education technology purchases after public comment
Summary
After a public commenter urged the board to vote no, the Waterford Board of Selectmen approved three Board of Education technology procurements: a split 2-1 vote approved cooperative-purchase awards to Vivacity and Dell, an amended award to Apple for Chromebooks passed after removing desktops, and a Meraki network upgrade passed unanimously with an E‑Rate cost share.
The Waterford Board of Selectmen approved several Board of Education technology purchases at a June 23 special meeting after a public commenter urged the board to reject the requests.
Helen Kwasniewski, speaking during public comment, said the Board of Education had received "a $3 million increase" and accused the district of "stockpiling their slush fund," urging the Selectmen to vote no on the Chromebook and desktop requests. "Once again I urge you to vote NO!" she said.
On agenda item 6 the BOE sought awards for Chromebooks/Chromebook Plus notebooks to Vivacity Technology Tech PBC (Equalis Group Contract R10-1173F) for $229,188 and desktop computers to Dell Technologies (NASPO/State Contract 23PSX0163) for $193,182.95. A motion to table that item, moved by Selectman Greg Attanasio, failed for lack of a second. A subsequent motion to approve the cooperative-purchase awards (moved by Rich Muckle, seconded by Attanasio) passed 2-1; Muckle and First Selectman Robert Brule voted in favor and Attanasio voted against.
On a separate recommendation (agenda item 7) from Purchasing Agent Shea Davy on behalf of BOE IT Director Mark Geer, the board considered awarding Chromebooks and desktop computers to Apple Inc. in the amount of $46,389. The board voted 3-0 to amend the motion to remove "and Desktop Computers" from the award; after that amendment, the final motion to award was recorded as passing 2-1 (Brule and Muckle for; Attanasio against). The minutes do not specify which precise Chromebook models or quantities were included in the Apple award; funding was identified as available July 1, 2026 from FY27 capital Line #20560-55044 (Replacement Cycle).
The board also approved (agenda item 8) an award to Total Communications, Inc. for Meraki access points and a switch upgrade with installation labor in the amount of $222,353. According to the meeting record and the E‑Rate breakdown, the BOE’s share of that cost is $111,176.50; the motion passed 3-0.
The minutes record the procedural votes and amounts but include no further technical specifications or delivery schedules. The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
