Wednesday, October 18, 2017

A way to have streets plowed while being cost effetive:

“Needless to say, it is absolutely vital to running a successful winter program to maintain an adequate fleet of hired plows and sanders,” Mr. Moosey wrote in a report that goes before the City Council Tuesday night. “Maintaining an experienced and reliable fleet of hired equipment that can be quickly pressed into service when need arises is both cost-effective and operationally efficient.

The above is a quote from the Telegram with regards to the city of Worcester and it shows an approach that some towns use as well. Ashburnham, Hubbardston both use limited numbers of hired contractors. One of the benefits is the Town only pays when the contractor is used. The Town increases the number of plows/sanders on hand without the big investment of equipment and the costs of full time employees (salary and benefit package). Contractors help control costs while aiding in clear and safe roads during the winter months. What a concept?

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:27 AM

    The town bought two sanders the Light Company paid for. OK, when did anyone in the community aside from the BOS vote for them ? What would have happened if the Light Company did not cough up the money ? Remember the bunch in Boston who said we had too much debt ??? Anyone keeping that in mind ? It does seem or fearless leaders have conveniently forgotten also. If we cannot hire a man with all the benefits of a good medical plan at 15.00 per hour, to work for the town, maybe it is the feeling that you will get laid off as soon as you are hired, that is stopping these guys from stepping up. It just could be that the town's reputation has spread. Are we considered toxic by the other towns around us ? I can't imagine why !

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  2. Anonymous9:29 PM

    Jeff- i can't tell you anything more about what is on DHB fb as she will know it is one of her friends

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  3. Anonymous5:19 PM

    why would you do that to her

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  4. Anonymous1:35 PM

    Take a look at the TA's contract on the towns website and tell me that the selectmen are working for you

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  5. Anonymous10:04 PM

    I question the TA/Fellow combination satisfying the citizens vote 5/14/2013.


    Section 4: Town Administrator-
    “The Board of Selectmen is authorized and empowered to appoint a town
    administrator who may be appointed for a term of one or three years, and to remove
    the town administrator at their discretion. The town administrator appointed under the
    provisions of this section shall be sworn to the faithful performance of the duties of
    the office. During the time that the town administrator holds office the town
    administrator shall hold no elective town office, but may be appointed by the Board
    of Selectmen or, with their approval, by any other town officer, board, committee or
    commission, to any other town office or position consistent with the town
    administrator’s office. The Town Administrator shall receive such aggregate
    compensation, not exceeding the amount appropriated therefore, as the Board of
    Selectmen may determine. The Town Administrator shall act by and for the Board of
    Selectmen in any matter which the Board may assign to the town administrator
    relating to the administration of the affairs of the town or of any town office or
    department under their supervision and control, or, with the approval of the Board of
    Selectmen, may perform such other duties as may be requested by any other town
    officer, board, committee or commission.”
    And, further, to reflect the above-mentioned amendment to Article III of the
    Templeton Revised General By-Laws, the following Templeton Revised General ByLaw
    sections will also be amended by replacing the title of “Town Coordinator” with
    the title of “Town Administrator” in
    Article XLII-Capital Planning By-Law- Section 1:
    And in: Article XLVII-Personnel By-Law –Section 3(b) and Section 3 (c)
    Passed/May 16th @ 8:37

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