Board approves multiple parks contracts: fireworks, landscaping, zoo janitorial and event services

The Essex County Board approved a package of contracts for parks and cultural affairs that will fund concerts, fireworks, landscaping, zoo maintenance and janitorial services.

Joshua Zates, presenting for County Parks, described several awards (resolutions 18–23 and added item 55): an event-production contract to LG Event Productions for county entertainment and concerts; a fireworks contract with Starfire Corporation for various summer programs not to exceed $103,000 (Branch Brook Park fireworks on June 28, WeQuake July 2, Brookdale July 3, with an optional event still to be determined); a 24-month landscape-maintenance contract to Clark Mornahan Landscaping not to exceed $78,376 (fixed monthly amount plus an allowance); HVAC change order funding for Turtle Back Zoo; a change order to Down Earth Farms for animal-waste removal (+$40,435, new total $242,611.20); and a janitorial contract with Hudson Community Enterprises for Turtle Back Zoo janitorial services not to exceed $539,000 at $23.26/hour.

Commissioner Palavec asked whether Hudson Community Enterprises is a sheltered workshop or bid-exempt organization; Zates confirmed the vendor is a sheltered workshop and noted the county has used the vendor previously. Commissioners moved and approved the slate of parks contracts by roll call.

What happens next: procurement and contract-execution steps continue under the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs; projects include scheduled summer events and operational work at the zoo, and staff will proceed with vendor onboarding per contract terms.