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Council approves SAFER grant, fire training grant and hires Tekton for new 9‑1‑1 center; amends HVAC waiver term
Summary
The council approved a federal SAFER grant to fund four firefighter positions for three years and accepted a $350,000 state grant for a modular fire training building; it also authorized a $620,000 contract with Tekton Architecture for a new 9‑1‑1 center. Members shortened a proposed five‑year HVAC bid waiver to two years after debate.
The Middletown Common Council on Nov. 3 approved multiple public‑safety grants and professional agreements intended to modernize equipment and staffing.
Fire and training grants: Council approved a federal SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant worth $859,039.35 to cover payroll and benefits for four firefighters for three years, and a separate state grant of $350,000 to purchase and install a modular fire training building. During deliberations councilmembers asked that Chief David Albert’s eight‑page memo explaining the grant’s cost‑share and operational details be attached to the agenda record; the council voted to add the memo and then approved the grant item as amended.
9‑1‑1 center contract: The council authorized the mayor to execute a contract with Tekton Architecture for architectural and engineering services for the new public safety 9‑1‑1 center in the amount of $620,000, pending approval of final form by general counsel. Councilors said Tekton’s RFP response and interview performance stood out and that the contract will be scalable as design scope and budget evolve.
HVAC maintenance waiver debate: Council approved a multi‑year waiver and contract with Douglas Mechanical Services Inc. for maintenance and repair of boilers/HVAC across city buildings, but members shortened the proposed term from five years to two years after several members argued a five‑year waiver without a competitive process erodes transparency. The purchasing director said the vendor is on a state contract with competitive labor and parts pricing and that quick emergency response has been an important operational factor in prior waivers.
Other professional services: The council also approved a $1,000,901.58 contract with a licensed environmental professional (Bernice Hagen & Bustland Inc.) for riverfront remediation and redevelopment professional services; final documents are subject to general‑counsel review.
Next steps: The fire and training grants will be implemented through the appropriate departments and will require standard execution steps by the mayor and general counsel. Design work for the 9‑1‑1 center will begin under the Tekton contract, with the procurement office and counsel reviewing final contract language.
