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Trappe authorizes purchase of two public-works trucks with ARPA funds, directs RFPs for sewer and meters
Summary
The Trappe Town Council approved buying two public-works trucks from IG Burton using ARPA funds, set a $150,000 maximum for the purchases, and directed staff to issue RFPs for sewer-main camera inspection and replacement water meters; council delayed a backhoe purchase and requested security pricing for water infrastructure.
The Trappe Town Council on Aug. 7 approved buying two public-works pickup trucks from IG Burton using the town's remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and directed staff to pursue requests for proposals for major water and sewer infrastructure work.
President Schmidt and the council reviewed seven vendor quotes presented by Town Administrator Erin Braband. During a workshop earlier in the evening Braband recommended two vehicles: a 2024 Chevy Silverado 3500 (4WD) with utility bed and snow plow and a 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 (4WD) with utility bed. The council set a maximum combined purchase price of $150,000 and asked President Schmidt to check whether the 3500's utility bed can be converted to a regular bed.
The council's formal motion in the regular meeting authorized purchase of the two trucks with ARPA funds. Commissioner Rose Potter moved the purchase; Commissioner Michael Sullivan seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
In related ARPA actions, the council directed Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan to prepare requests for proposals to camera-inspect all town sewer mains and to replace water meters and radio-read components after managers said the projected costs exceed available informal purchasing limits. The council also asked Administrator Braband to obtain pricing to install fencing and cameras at the town's wellhouses, water tower and treatment plant. A proposed backhoe purchase presented by President Schmidt was deferred.
Town staff told the council the sewer-camera and meter projects will require competitive procurement because the estimates exceed thresholds for single-source purchases. The council instructed staff to consult the engineering firm GMB and, where applicable, the U.S. Department of Agriculture on funding and implementation details for the pumping-station work discussed elsewhere on the agenda.
The council did not adopt any changes to the sidewalk proposal between Home Run Baker Park and White Marsh Elementary during this meeting; members noted a prior attempt failed because of right-of-way constraints and property-owner refusals.
What happens next: President Schmidt will follow up on the truck-bed question and staff will return with draft RFP language, cost estimates and timelines for the sewer-inspection and meter projects to a future meeting.
