FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners voted Tuesday to award the contract for heat pumps for the courthouse to Dave’s World in Windham for $96,201.91.

The money will come from the the county’s allotment of the American Rescue Plan Act.

Facilities Manager Nick Palmer recommended the company, which can start work in the next couple of months. He said research was done and discussions held with engineers. The nine or 10 head units and two exterior units will be enough to handle the courthouse.

The county requested bids last summer but did not receive a proposal, according to county Administrator Amy Bernard. “We then reached out to qualified contractors and asked for quotes,” she wrote in a packet for commissioners.

Palmer ensured the system would be expandable if the building was renovated to accommodate the District Attorney’s Office. The office is on Main Street not far from the courthouse.

The pumps will provide heating and cooling services, and everyone will be able to control the temperature in their spaces.

There is a 12-year warranty on all parts, Sue Pratt, the county’s ARPA grant fund coordinator, said. There is a four-year warranty on workmanship and a one year warranty on labor, she said.

Commissioners also awarded a contract to GCA Logging of Avon for grading and raking for $844 per mile. It was the only company that made a proposal.

Bernard said last year it was $1,000 a mile for the service.

Commissioners Terry Brann of Wilton and Lance Harvell of Farmington voted in favor; Bob Carlton of Freeman Township abstained.

The board also voted to terminate the county’s lease for the Salem Fire Department building with the Maine Forest Service. The county is no longer funding the Fire Department as of July 1. The building is in disrepair.

Commissioners also agreed to get an estimate to remove grease traps under the concrete kitchen floor at the jail.

A new septic system was installed and the grease traps are on the outside in the system.

Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. said grease traps are rotting and need to be removed.

It was discussed a couple of times but no money was set aside.

Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster has agreed to have Franklin County’s inmates at the jail in Madison along with corrections officers when the work is done.

Road Supervisor Mike Pond said four plumbing companies were contacted about the job and only one seemed interested. All the companies are busy, he said.

Bernard said no money has been put away for the project and it is unknown if there will be any funds left over in American Rescue Act.

“How are we going to pay for it? It is not going to be cheap,” Carlton said.

Commissioners agreed to have a company look at the project and give an estimate of what it would cost to remove the traps.

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