Council has authorized the purchase and installation of an updated security and access control system at the municipal administration centre and new maintenance facility.
“With the construction of the new municipal maintenance facility and since it will adjoin the municipal administration office, we will be required to update the security system,” explained CAO Brad McRoberts at the Feb. 9 Mapleton council meeting.
At McRoberts’ recommendation, council accepted a quotation from Mornington Communications Co-op Ltd. to provide the system for $8,800 plus a $264 annual monitoring fee. Two other quotes were received: one from Georgian Bay Fire and Safety for $17,096 plus $253 for monitoring and another from Alliance for $20,934 plus $300 for monitoring.
The cost for the system update will come from the maintenance facility project contingency fees.
Prior to voting to accept the recommendation, councillor Dennis Craven said “it always concerns me whenever the lowest tender is half what the next one is … sometimes cheapest is not always the best.”
While noting it was a “fair question,” McRoberts said staff did discuss the project with the security system providers and no concerns came to mind.
“It’s good to see a local company getting that project,” said Craven.
“I think they are trying to say ‘We’re here for your community and we’re here to stay,’” commented Mayor Neil Driscoll.
