Council approves Periwether lightning‑detection lease after procurement questions

The Borough Council voted to accept a Periwether lightning‑detection system lease after a lengthy discussion about procurement, coverage and contract length. The item had been placed on the consent resolution but was pulled for separate consideration; councilors questioned whether the proposal was single‑sourced and whether multiple bids had been solicited. "It's proprietary," a council member said when asked whether Periwether was the only supplier the schools and nearby towns were using.

Councilors also pressed for clarity on where horns and detectors would be sited so that community areas such as Chestnut Field, Oaks Park and the golf course would have audible coverage. One council member raised concern about the five‑year contract term and whether the borough could later purchase the devices: the administration responded that Periwether does not sell the units now and that the company would maintain and repair equipment during the five‑year term. After discussion, a councilor moved to accept the Periwether system and the motion was seconded; roll call produced a majority in favor and one recorded no vote. The motion carried and council directed staff to document locations and coverage maps and to retain the right to pull items from consent slates in future if additional bids arrive.