By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(Aug. 13, 2026) Following a lengthy discussion Monday night, the Berlin Town Council approved a $230,000 furniture package to outfit Town Hall once its extensive renovations have been completed.

The council unanimously approved a furniture package from the Canadian company Teknion for an amount not to exceed $230,951.39.

An art and design portion of the package for the preservation and mounting of historic pieces found in Town Hall ahead of renovations,was reduced from $16,500 to a maximum of $10,000.

The decision followed the council’s July vote to table the original furniture proposal, which carried a price tag of more than $250,000 and prompted concerns among residents and council members.

Daniele Haley of Haley Architecture, the firm overseeing the Town Hall renovation, returned Monday with three options and recommended the mid-priced Teknion package.

Haley said the initial attempt to reduce the furniture cost resulted in a higher price because the town was receiving deal pricing through Teknion. Therefore, a third option, Three H, was developed. However, the original recommendation was maintained.

“We are still recommending the mid-price one, which is the Teknion,” Haley said.

The revised Teknion package totaled $237,451.36 before the reduction to the art and design package. It included nearly $120,000 in office, conference and council chamber furniture; $58,731.32 in conference room, guest and staff seating; $10,391.40 for council chamber seating; $29,687.50 for delivery and installation; and $2,100 for specifications and design.

The art and design package was reduced from the previously proposed $25,000 in July to $16,500 that was presented on Monday. Ultimately, the item was capped at $10,000 by the council.

Haley clarified that the package does not involve purchasing new artwork. Instead, the town wants to preserve existing historical photographs and artwork found during the Town Hall cleanup by digitizing, enlarging, matting, framing, and mounting the pieces.

“It’s not going and sourcing artwork,” Haley said. “There is some labor involved that professionals will handle.”

Councilmember Jay Knerr suggested the town seek grants to cover the preservation work, noting the historical value of the photographs.

However, Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall said he was skeptical that any such aid would be available.

Councilmember Jack Orris initially moved to approve the less-expensive Three H furniture package while eliminating the $16,500 art and design package. That proposal would have reduced the cost to $197,428.62.

Haley, however, said that sticking with Teknion would ensure quality control, favorable warranty, and durability.

“I would rather cut the art and design than the staff’s functionality,” Haley said.

The discussion also focused heavily on the durability of the furniture.

Berlin Finance Director Natalie Saleh said employees frequently go through office chairs because of the amount of use they receive. She pointed to her own approximately eight-year-old office chair, saying it was now causing discomfort.

“We go through chairs like candy,” she said.

She said the less-expensive option would provide more basic furniture, including desks with less storage and fewer features.

Council Vice President Dean Burrell questioned whether choosing the cheaper option would actually save the town money in the long term if furniture needed to be replaced sooner.

“Are we really saving if we buy 50 chairs and in four years we have to buy 25 more?” he asked.

Councilman Steve Green noted that through his research, he’s found that Three H furniture is adequate for government agencies. He added that this week’s presentation was not reduced enough from last month’s $250,000 proposal.

Tyndall said the town had already reduced the original proposal by nearly $68,000, from approximately $305,000 when all costs were considered to the revised $237,451.36 package.

“We have hit the point where we are nickeling and diming over longevity and workability,” Tyndall said.

The motion to approve the Three H option failed 2-3, with Orris and Councilmember Shaneka Nichols voting in favor and Green, Burrell, and Knerr opposed.

Green then moved to approve Teknion while reducing the art and design package to $10,000. The motion passed unanimously.

Haley also said she believed the town could identify approximately $5,000 in additional savings by removing extra chairs and other furniture that staff finds are unnecessary.