Heating, cooling upgrades approved for fire department

The Newton Fire Department will be getting an upgraded heating and air conditioning system soon. City council approved two new roof top HVAC units for the fire station at 410 S. Second Ave. W. following the current units’ experience with mechanical failures last winter.

“The units experienced a mechanical failure and it was noted that the units were in very poor condition,” city administrator Matt Muckler said. “According to the maintenance contractor, ‘When these units fail the next time, the only fix will be replacement.’”

Project specifications and a request for bids were prepared by the public works department for the project with four quotes received from area companies. Bids were received by Brookwood, Inc. of Newton, Brooker Corp. of Newton, Dickerson Mechanical of Colfax and Warnick and Reeves Mechanical of Newton.

Warnick and Reeves Mechanical was awarded the project with the low bid of $9,858 or $4,929 per unit. Funds remaining in the City Center Fund will be used to pay for the project.

Work is expected to be completed by July 31.

The station currently houses three ambulances, four fire engines, a hazardous materials truck, ladder truck and utility vehicle along with 22 career firefighters and emergency medical technicians, nine part-time staff, four volunteer and paid on-call staff and two civilian staff.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com