Grafton council approves equipment purchases, paving contracts and appointments; several items tabled

The Village of Grafton council approved a series of motions and resolutions May 5 covering infrastructure signage, equipment purchases, paving contracts and committee appointments.

Resolutions and key approvals

- Resolution No. 26-031: Council approved a $5,250 change order to Kleinfelder, Inc. for Envision wayfinding and trailhead improvements, including a new sign at Indian Hollow Reservation and a new trailhead with two handicapped parking spaces (motion by McCort; second by Campbell; all ayes).

Equipment and facility purchases

- Approved: 90-gallon water tank/sprayer for downtown flower maintenance ($1,699.99) (motion by McCort; second by Romes; all ayes).
- Not approved (motion died): Trailer-mounted asphalt hot box from Asphalt Kingdom ($21,800). The motion received a maker but no second and therefore failed.
- Approved: Underground utility locator from C&S Solutions Inc. ($8,028.99) (motion by Kilgore; second by McCort; all ayes).
- Approved and passed on emergency: One decanter and two mixers for the Water Reclamation Facility from Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc. ($86,305.49); council voted to suspend the rules and pass on emergency (motions by Romes and Kilgore; all ayes).
- Tabled: Kubota utility vehicle with plow ($36,562.58) and SCADA system installation by Dmytryka Jacobs Engineers, LLC ($74,900) — both tabled until additional quotes are obtained.

Contracts and paving

- Plymouth Drive paving: Work by Crossroads Asphalt Recycling, Inc. approved after council amended the bid value from $68,496.00 to $52,800.00 (amendment by Romes; motion to approve by Kilgore; all ayes).
- Hyanis Drive repairs: Council amended a $27,934.25 quote down to $14,500 and approved the work by Crossroads (motion by Kilgore; all ayes).

Appointments and procurement limits

- Appointed MS-4 Storm Water Committee members: Nick Baldwin (chair), Nick Pappas and D. Burdette (motion by McCort; second by Kilgore; all ayes).
- Authorized Line Department material and transformer bids not to exceed $120,000 (motion by Romes; all ayes).

Procedural notes and votes

Most votes were recorded as unanimous “all ayes” in the meeting minutes. The only failed motion recorded in the minutes was the asphalt hot-box purchase, which lacked a second. Two capital procurements were explicitly tabled to obtain additional quotes.

Community events and announcements

Council also approved placement of village wayfinding signs connected to Main Street Grafton’s 250th celebration and heard plans for a student window-painting contest, a three-day fundraiser at Garing's Tavern to benefit fireworks, a Founding Fathers Bourbon Raffle and other fundraising efforts; the Police Department Benevolent Association pledged a $2,000 donation for fireworks.

Next steps: Tabled procurements will return to council after staff seeks additional quotes; any emergency-passed items have been authorized for immediate implementation per council action.