HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-01-17 Board of Public Works MinutesBoard of Public Works Meeting of January 17, 1984 Page 1
A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16,
Municipal Building at 8;30 P.M. Present were Chairman Wood, Secretary
Barker, Board Members Polychrones, Griffin and Hampson, Superintendent
Anthony V. Fletcher and Assistant Superintendent Edward D. McIntire, Jr.
Also present was Town Treasurer, Elizabeth Klepeis.
Chairman Wood stated the subject of our agenda for this evening
is the garage relocation and space needs for the entire Town. The Board
then reviewed the memo from the Assistant Superintendents regarding their
recommendations for the public works relocation committee.
Mrs. Klepeis stated three years ago we started with the Computer
Study Committee. The Committee thought long and hard. The Board of Public
Works representatives did decide, with the support of the Board, that they
did want to be part of the central computer system. When we set this up
it was with the idea that this would be a user-friendly language.
The Department of Public Works functions are very much integrated
into the central computer system. Right now there is a lot of dependency
on the Computer Coordinator and her Assistant. The people from the
central office are up here (at the D.P.W.) all day long.
If you wanted to move somewhere else you would have to hire
someone full time to oversee your computer operations. We don't have the
capability (manpower) to do your functions, nor the expertise.
If you wanted to duplicate computer equipment it would cost
approximately $40,000.00. It would still not be feasible for you to be
apart from the central offices. This move for us would be very expensive
and very impractical.
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Board of Public Works Meeting of January 17, 1984 Page 2
From a Treasurer's standpoint, I deal with the Superintendent of
Public Works very frequently. There is much Department interaction. Your
funding and bonding would be integrated with us. During audits, the DPW
input would be needed. For you to move to another location would really
put us back a big step.
Chairman Wood asked if we were going to move the entire
Department, from a financial standpoint, what types of things would it
take?
Mrs. Klepeis replied we would need someone trained as a computer
"troubleshooter" to go with you.
Mrs. Wood asked for your general billing would you need at least
a high speed printer?
Mrs. Klepeis replied yes, but for your operation to move does not
seem feasible to me. The logistics would be very difficult. The bill
roll function is also done by you and is not a function of our office. We
would need to hire at least one more person in my office to take care of
your Payroll and Bill Roll functions.
Mr. Griffin asked if we did set up our own computer system, are
we talking $40,000 - $50,000.
Mrs. Klepeis replied yes, just for the hardware, and the entire
move would be fairly expensive. I don't think adding another layer of
computer coordinating would be optimum at this time.
I think we should force Town Government to give us optimum space
to have a centralized government.
Chairman Wood stated the Tax Collector has also spoken similarly
to Mrs. Klepeis.
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Board of Public Works Meeting of January 17, 1984 Page 3
Mr. Polychrones stated he felt the Engineering Division and
Clerical functions should be split up. He stated he felt the Assistant
Superintendent of Operations should also be relocated to the new facility.
Mr. Barker asked seven questions from the Facilities Relocation
Committee point of view;
1. Do we want the Engineering Division at the garage, all offices
at the Garage?
2. Can we split functions of the garage to more than one site, i.e.,
water and sewer at Strout Avenue, snow dumping split, etc., or do
we want everything at one site.
3. What is the square footage and acreage requirements to support the
above?
4. Other site requirements - utilities, setbacks, access roads,
capabilities for fuel storage, heating oil storage, waste oils,
etc.
S. Specific reasons to support each of the above.
6. Statements that this information will be reviewed and refined when
the new Superintendent supplies his input.
7. Directed the Department to begin an immediate review of each area
of the Department's responsibilities and to have each area of the
Department, i.e., clerical, engineering, administration, provide a
layout of needed area to the Relocation Committee.
Mr. Hampson stated he felt the Engineering and Clerical staff should be in
the same building.
Mr. Griffin stated he thought the Engineering staff could more
adequately serve the Town in a new facility with access to all of its
needs, but clearly this puts a tremendous burden on clerical and
administrative capabilities.
Board of Public Works Meeting of January 17, 1984 Page 4
Chairman Wood stated the Engineering Department certainly needs
more space; all of our administration is here at the present time.
Whether or not you move the clerical or the engineering divisions, what is
the Board's feeling about moving the Assistant Superintendent of
Operations to the new facility.
Mr. McIntire stated I think more supervision is needed in the
operations area. I think the position should be at the garage. It used
to be a 90/14% split. This has changed to much more in the administrative
office than supervision of the outside operations. The concensus of the
Board is to move the Assistant Superintendent of Operations to the Public
Works Garage Facility.
Mr. Griffin stated he would like to see the supervision emphasis
reestablished. He would also like to see the space for the Engineering
Division be available at the new facility.
It was moved, seconded and defeated 1:4 (Mrs. Wood, Mr.
Polychrones, Mr. Griffin and Mr. Hampson opposed) to relocate the
Engineering Division to the new facility.
Chairman Wood asked what about snow dumping?
Mr. Barker stated the Department is preparing for the Facility
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Relocation Committee plans locating the snow dump at the four acre site
behind the Texaco Station on John Street. The assumptions the Committee
made last week was that for the next 10 or 15 years, the landfill would be
available. The backup to that will be the site to the rear of the Texaco
Station on John Street. They are doing the same thing for the Strout
Avenue gravel pits to show where an additional building could be put for
water and sewer type functions.
The Board next discussed the replacement of equipment.
Board of Public Works Meeting of January 17, 1984 Page 5
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to buy a new Equipment
Analyzer in an amount not to exceed $20,000.00.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to trade in Truck #9 for a
new truck in the amount not to exceed $45,000.00.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to trade in Truck #23 for a
new truck in the amount not to exceed $45,000.00.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:1 (Mfrs. Wood opposed) to trade
in pick-up truck #4 for a new pick-up truck in the amount not to exceed
$10,000.00.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:1 (Mfrs. Wood opposed) to
replace Van #4 in the Engineering Division with a new four-wheel drive
vehicle in the amount not to exceed $10,000.00.
It was moved, seconded and defeated 2:3 (Mfrs. Wood, Mfr. Barker
and Mfr. Griffin opposed) to trade in Pick-up #7 towards a new heavy duty
pick-up truck in the amount of $10,000.00.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to reconsider the previous
motion on Van #4.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:1 (Mfrs. Wood opposed) to trade
in Van #3 towards a new 4-wheel drive vehicle for the purchase price not
to exceed $12,000.00.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to trade in one 1932 John
Bean Hydraulic Sprayer towards a new sprayer in the amount not to exceed
$8,500.00.
The Board signed the Payroll and the Billroll for the period
ending 1-13-84.
The meeting adjourned at 12:05 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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