132-26 Authorizing Award of Contract for Tree Planting to Downes - 2026.pdf

132-26 May 12, 2026 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, in March 2026, the Township of West Orange (the “Township”) issued a set of bid specifications (the “Specifications”) for a proposed contract for the purchase and planting of 200 trees and purchase and installation of root barriers and deer fencing; and WHEREAS, the Specifications provided a list of tree species to be purchased and planted pursuant to the proposed contract, including seven (7) species of trees; and WHEREAS, the Specifications required bidders to submit bids based which reflected the size of the trees to be purchased; and WHEREAS, on April 9, 2026 the Township received six (6) bids in response to the Specifications, including the lowest bid submitted in the amount of $79,000.00 and $125.00 per tree to install deer fencing and $250.00 per tree to install root barriers from: DOWNES TREE SERVICE CO. INC. 65 ROYAL LANE HAWTHORNE, NJ 07506 (“Downes”); and WHEREAS, the Shade Tree Expert wishes to award said contract in the amount of not to exceed $144,625.00; and NOW, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, by the Township Council of the Township of West Orange that the Township is hereby authorized to award the Contract for the purchase of trees, root barriers and deer fencing to Downes pursuant to the bid submitted in response to the Specifications; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Certified Checks and/or Bid Bonds submitted by all bidders, except Downes, be released and returned to all other bidders; and be it further RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution shall be available in the Clerk’s office in accordance with applicable law. Karen J. Carnevale, R.M.C., Municipal Clerk Susan Scarpa, Council President Adopted: May 12, 2026 I hereby certify funds are available from Account No.: John C. Ditinyak, Chief Financial Officer