Trappe council approves emergency diesel generator purchase for water tower using ARPA funds

The Trappe Town Council unanimously approved an emergency purchase to replace a broken propane generator at the town water tower, voting to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to pay for the generator and electrical work.

Commissioner Jeremy Newnam moved to authorize the purchase of a diesel generator from Kelly Generator and to contract Bilbrough Electric for the electrical work for a combined total of $63,400; Commissioner Michael Sullivan seconded the motion and it was recorded as unanimously approved. Council President Schmidt had opened the special meeting at 2:00 p.m. and town staff presented the procurement options.

Town staff reported two vendor responses. Kelly Generator offered a Generac 130 kW unit with an estimated delivery time of 6–8 weeks at a price of $54,500. General Power supplied quotes for a Perkins 130 kW at $52,051 plus shipping with a 12–14 week delivery window and a Perkins 150 kW unit listed in stock at $55,573 plus $2,273 shipping (totaling $57,846). Separately, Bilbrough Electric submitted an electrical work quote of $8,900 based on Kelly Generator’s specifications; Bilbrough said it would need a site visit to quote against General Power’s specs received that morning.

Council members cited local contracting relationships and vendor familiarity with town infrastructure in supporting the Kelly Generator option. The motion record states Kelly Generator is a local company and the town is already under contract with them for generator services. The council has not recorded any additional contingencies; follow-up site work by Bilbrough Electric and vendor delivery timelines remain to be scheduled.