Montague defers sprinkler-system award; approves $5,500 gate for Zitone Ballfield

Montague Township Committee members on March 11 deferred awarding a low bid for a required sprinkler system at the new firehouse/community center and approved a separate $5,500 expense to add a 10-foot gate to the Zitone Ballfield.

Mayor Zitone said three bids for the sprinkler system had been received: $815,000 (low), $832,895 and $983,000. He explained the community center’s original project budget was $2.2 million and that a kitchen was removed from the scope when bids exceeded available funding. "All three bids, at the time, were over $2.2 million and something had to be removed from the project, so the kitchen was removed," Mayor Zitone said.

Committee member Ms. Holstein pressed to triple-check plans with the architect before committing funds, noting concerns that items such as a fire alarm system were not clearly included in bid documents. Attorney Rossmeissl advised the committee to confirm required components with design professionals before awarding contracts.

On a separate, amended agenda item, Mr. Innella moved and Mr. LeDonne seconded a motion to spend $5,500 to add a 10-foot-wide gate with heavier 4-inch posts to the Zitone Ballfield outfield fence; the motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Zitone and others discussed an alternate option of tying into a nearby water supply to avoid buying a 25,000-gallon tank; township engineer Tom Knutelsky (referenced by the committee) advised that a tie-in would face permit, easement and wetlands issues and would likely take at least two years, with only modest savings relative to other costs.

The committee agreed to reconsider awarding the sprinkler contract at a March 27 budget meeting after confirming architect and engineer input and reviewing budget impacts.