City accepts bid for tornado sirens

     The Buffalo Center City Council approved a bid for two new tornado sirens for the city during its November monthly meeting. Electronic Engineering was the only company to submit bids for the project, and they submitted two bids for two different options of sirens.

     The first option was for a 121 decibel, eight horsepower model at a total cost of $33,790 for two units. The second option was for a more powerful 129 decibel, 16 horsepower model at a cost of $40,750 for two units. According to the manufacturer, the 121 dB model has an estimated sound radius of 4,000 feet, while the 129 dB model has a sound radius of about 5,200 feet. Both options come with battery backup and a five-year warranty.

     The Council discussed the difficulty some residents have in hearing the current, single tornado siren and decided to accept the bid for the louder model at $40,750. The City has $42,200 to cover the cost of the sirens, including $23,500 from a USDA grant, $14,500 from a Winnebago County Community Foundation grant, and $4,200 raised by the Buffalo Center Ambulance.

     The City is looking to install the new sirens by the Buffalo Center Library and South Park. The City will be responsible for installing the poles and the electrical work for the new sirens.