New Martinsville Council agreed unanimously during a special council meeting to follow the police committee’s recommendation to award the bid for work in the police department to the sole bidder, Lauttamus Communications.

Stephen A. Mularcik, owner of Progressive Communications of St. Clairsville, Ohio, had submitted a letter requesting that the project being rebid, citing not enough time to get the guidelines and create an accurate bid. He further asserted, “I feel that. . . only one bidder can accomplish the task of having a bid ready by deadline and that is the same bidder who was also the bid specifications writer.”

Police Chief Tim Cecil said NMPD Dispatcher Rick Estep wrote the specifications. However, at least three companies had been to the department to see the project before it was even bid: Lauttamus, Miller Communications, and Progressive Communications. Miller Communications did not bid on the project.

Mularcik was in the department at least three months previous checking on the project. “He is the very first person we talked to,” said NMPD Investigator Donnie Harris.

“He can say whatever he wants to, but we abided by our rules,” said Recorder Bonnie Shannon.

“There’s really no need, in my opinion, to go any further,” agreed Councilman Joel Potts III.

Lauttamus’ bid for a turn-key radio console, P25 compatible with Fleet Sync operation, including design and furniture outlet for renovations of the police department offices was $57,485. “They’re pretty much doing all of it except for the furniture part of it,” stated Harris, when asked if Lauttamus was subcontracting much of the work.

The entire project in the police department will total $75,000, the amount secured by Congressman Alan B. Mollohan (D-First District) through the Justice Department’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. The program helps local law enforcement agencies defray the cost of equipment and staffing needed to keep their communities safe.