Town Maintenance Purchases, Fire Dispatch Contract Approved by Council

During Monday night's meeting, members of the Coventry Town Council approved the purchase of multiple pieces of maintenance equipment for both the Public Works and Parks & Recreation departments, totaling $144,328.96.

For the Department of Parks and Recreation, Council authorized the purchase of two 36-inch and one 48-inch Wright Stander mowers from Kent County Lawn Mower (75 Tiogue Ave.), at a total cost of $21,193.96. The Department was also given clearance to purchase one Billy Goat brush mower, one John Deere 72-inch diesel mower and one John Deere Gator diesel utility vehicle from Howard Johnson's Inc. (1978 Kingston Rd., Peacedale), at a total price of $26,400. 

Parks & Recreation Director Guy Lefebvre explained to the Council that much of the equipment will be purchased using past Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and DEM grant funds, with any remaining balance being covered in the capital budget. He also stated that both vendors have long-standing histories of providing products and services to the Town.

"These pieces of equipment will allow us to mow and maintain the narrow sections of the Greenway along guard rails and fences," said Lefebvre. "The purchase of the Gator will make our work much less evasive than a full-size vehicle in the Greenway corridor that we share with patrons every day."

Council members also approved for the Department, through the use of past CIP funds, the purchase of aluminum bleachers from International Design & Construction, of Brookville, FL, at a total price of $18,640 to be installed near the press box at Rice Field. Lefebvre explained that the 10 sets of bleachers will provide permanent seating for up to 400 people and have long life expectancies due to their all-aluminum construction and galvanized nuts, bolts and fasteners.

"We currently have no seating at Rice Field and we find ourselves each year borrowing bleachers from other fields, which really takes its toll on them," he said. "These bleachers meet all ADA guidelines and are virtually maintenance free."

For the Department of Public Works (DPW), a purchase was authorized for two 2013 Ford F350 4x4 pickup trucks with snow plows and sanders, from Flood Ford (2545 South County Trl., East Greenwich), at a total cost of $78,095.

DPW Highway Foreman Chuck Smith explained that by accepting Flood Ford's bid, the Department will save approximately $8,200 on each vehicle. The trucks will replace outdated 1979 and 1989 vehicles and will be utilized along the Town's 23 plow routes and for most other DPW jobs.

In a final resolution, the Council authorized the award of a five-year contract for fire dispatch services to the Hopkins Hill Fire District at a cost of $333,5000 in the first year, increasing to $404,700 in the fifth year. The fire district has been contracted for the Town's dispatch services for the past eight years.

As fire dispatch is contracted through the Coventry Police Department, Chief Bryan Volpe explained the request, stating that two bid proposals were received, but one was withdrawn before a selection was made.

"I believe that Hopkins Hill's proposal was fair and balanced," said Chief Volpe. "We've been very happy with their service for the past few terms. They've done a nice job and what they've presented to us is a good program."

Click here for additional coverage of Monday's Town Council meeting.