Lehighton Area School District’s board of directors hired Weather Technologies Inc., also known as Tremco, last week to do engineering work and bid specifications for a roof replacement at its administration building.

By a 6-3 vote, the district approved a $6,750 contract after three proposals were discussed at its last building and grounds committee meeting.

“This was the lowest amount for this part of the process,” Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver said.

Other proposals came from Carbon Engineering, $17,500, and Barry Isett and Associates, $20,500.

“I’m glad we reached out to Tremco,” Joy Beers, who voted to approve the contract, said at a committee meeting. “Having been on projects myself and looked at other people’s bids, this is where I would have expected the fee to be. This bid feels correct to me.”

Tremco has done maintenance and roof upkeep work for the district before and Cleaver, along with facilities director Kyle Spotts, said they have been happy with the results.

Director David Bradley led the opposition to hiring Tremco, saying he felt the district should review other options.

“I don’t know why we are still going down this path,” he said. “Let’s spend the money wisely. You don’t need to spend someone else’s money to tell you that you need a roof.”

Cleaver said the district did look into a maintenance grant program, under Pa. Act 70, which had been previously suggested by Bradley. The competitive grant assists districts with ongoing maintenance and repairs that fall outside the scope of eligibility for the state Planning and Construction Workbook program, one of them being roof repairs and replacements.

“We did have a conversation with a representative from that program and while there is no money available right now, he did tell us to check back in June, which we do intend on doing,” Cleaver said.

According to Cleaver, hiring a firm to develop a project scope and bid specifications does not prohibit the district from applying for that money, should some become available.

“Until we sign with a general contractor, we would be able to pursue that funding,” he said. “We did review the scope of the project and the gentleman I spoke with was not sure if we’d qualify or how good a chance we would have as there are multiple factors they look at, but we are going to get back with them on that in June.”

Bradley voted against the motion to hire Weather Tremco along with Gail Maholick and Richard Beltz. Rita Spinelli, Stephen Holland, Nathan Foeller, Larry Stern, Wayne Wentz and Joy Beers voted in favor.