Warwick City Council Meeting - 10.19.26

The Warwick City Council’s Finance Committee and full Council met on October 19, 2026. The Finance Committee approved PCR14-26, a resolution concerning bids, after reviewing several departmental purchases and service contracts. For annual testing of approximately 53,000 feet of fire hose, the Fire Department said JLN Associates/Top Run Inspection was the lower-cost option after accounting for mobilization and testing time, at an estimated $19,358 for six days; the prior year’s cost was about $16,500. The snowplow-blade bid was tied to a historical $30,000 budget in account 65258, though staff could not provide recent usage figures. Full-face scuba masks were to be funded through a DOJ JAG/Burn grant; the amount discussed was $12,000 to renew the bid for a second year. The committee also reviewed an overhead-door repair bid increase of $10,000, from $30,000 to $40,000, after unexpected mechanical failures and maintenance costs; the bid expires March 3, 2027. A loader repair was identified as a sole-source purchase from Milton CAT, but no amount was stated in the transcript.

The full Council unanimously approved PCR 112-26, authorizing the mayor to enter a contingent-fee legal retainer for the city’s PVC-pipe antitrust litigation. The city would pay no upfront costs, and the law firm’s fee would be 25% of any recovery. Other business included confirming Tara Booth as city clerk, approving a $300 claim payment, and advancing zoning and street-related items. Public commenters raised concerns about noise, truck traffic, and alleged zoning violations near 175 Post Road, as well as shoreline access and emergency access issues. No additional procurement awards or spending actions were clearly identified in those public comments.