Montpelier Replaces Malfunctioning Tornado Siren Controller for $3,808

From the Montpelier Board of Works & Safety meeting on May 13, 2026

A tornado siren near Montpelier's industrial park water tower has been sounding at random times — including 3:00 AM — due to a corroded controller, and the Board of Works approved $3,808 for a replacement.

Police Chief Snider tracked down the problem by sitting at the water plant and listening for the siren to activate, then pulled the power once he confirmed the source. The controller has been in place since the water tower was built in the early 2000s. Its outdoor housing allowed moisture in over time, corroding the internal electronics.

The siren is currently out of service. Montpelier has two other operational tornado sirens covering the town.

The Board approved purchasing a replacement controller from JNK Communications (Federal Signal brand). Chief Snider will handle the installation himself, saving an estimated $500-$700 in labor and travel costs. Employees at Gripco, a local industrial employer near the siren, had called about the random activations.

Source: YouTube transcript — City of Montpelier - Board of Works & Safety Meeting - May 13, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.