MINUTES
BOARD OF FINANCE
MARCH 9, 2011
A SPECIAL MEETING of the Board of Finance was held in the Main Room of the Senior Center on Wednesday, March 9, 2011.
Present were Mayor Ryan Bingham, Board of Finance members Daniel Farley, Mark Bushka, Thomas Scoville, Laurene Pesce, Brian Paganini and Wendy Traub, Treasurer Arthur Mattiello, Fire Chief John Field, and Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
PURCHASE APPARATUS
On a motion by Mr. Farley, seconded by Mr. Bushka, the Board considered authorization of a payment in the amount of $459,950.00 to purchase an Aerial Single Axle Apparatus from Northeastern Fire Apparatus Specialists of Cheshire, CT, pending approval from City Council.
Deputy Chief Brunoli said that with the Board of Public Safety’s approval, he went out to bid. Seven bids were received, and the next lowest bid was $491,000. The vehicle is three years old, having been on the demo circuit. It will have the same warrantee as a brand new vehicle, will be repainted, and has all shelving equipment and other option requests included. It has a bigger motor and holds more water than other manufacturers’. The ladder truck is currently 15 yrs. old and has been out of service for extended periods of time. Acquisition of this newer vehicle will provide both a vehicle and a ladder truck, a better allocation of our resources, and better service to the citizens of Torrington.
Mayor Bingham recapped the Board of Public Safety meeting saying one Commissioner was concerned about purchasing a truck this year because of the times we’re in. The Mayor’s reply was that delaying a purchase doesn’t save any money as these funds have been budgeted and accounted for in the Plan for a number of years. He said he didn’t think there was any argument for the necessity of replacing that vehicle, and the Board of Public Safety vote was 4 to 1 in favor.
Chief Field explained that to smooth out the whole Vehicle Replacement Plan, they moved up next year’s scheduled pumper purchase, as there was only $30,000 being spent this year versus 1 million or 2 million next year. The purchase ended up even cheaper than they thought it would be, saving $91,000. He said the 2014 scheduled purchase will be removed from the Plan because it wouldn’t have to be replaced until 2022. This results in an overall savings of $577,502 and replaces two vehicles that are 24 and 26 years old.
Mrs. Traub asked about the hours and mileage. Deputy Chief Brunoli said the hours are low and the mileage is 18,000. Chief Field offered an example of the 24 and 26 year old vehicles that we have with 20,000 or 30,000 miles on them. He said although these demo units have a lot of miles, the hours are really more important than the miles.
Regarding the Vehicle Replacement Fund, Mrs. Traub said we have a fleet management system in place, and we are prepared to buy vehicles in a consistent manner, funded over time. Chief Field said if there is a perception issue it’s because we didn’t educate the public to what this account really does.
Mr. Scoville asked what the consequences would be if this purchase wasn’t made. Chief Field replied you’d lose the $91,000 up front, and we would purchase it next year. Deputy Chief Brunoli said there were new emissions standards issued in 2010, which create new maintenance and motor purchase issues with unknown upkeep costs.
Mr. Scoville asked if, in this difficult year, the Board would consider a one year freeze on funding our Vehicle Replacement Account. Mayor Bingham said like Pension and Health Insurance, this is a liability on the books that we have to understand. There is a certain life expectancy on these vehicles and a decision like that would have dire consequences in later years. He said there is a budget gap to fill that can be done with cuts and normal budgeting.
Chief Field noted that the City is paying more in maintenance for the two vehicles that are being replaced than these vehicles are worth.
He further explained that this purchase would replace Engine 2, and the one being manufactured right now will replace Engine 5, so the 1986 and the 1989 vehicles will go away. Engine 1 and Engine 3 will become reserve vehicles and the new ones will come onto the front line. The reserve is used when a front line vehicle is down for maintenance and is used when people are called back to staff other engines.
Mr. Bushka summarized the discussion saying the two vehicles being purchased were budgeted for and the money is available in the Vehicle Replacement Fund as planned. It’s just being done a year ahead of time at $90,000 savings. Chief Field said that is correct.
Mrs. Pesce asked why the vehicle to be purchased in 2014 can be taken off the schedule. Chief Field said a vehicle was planned to be added to the inventory for East Side coverage, but with money being the way it is, he doesn’t see that happening in the very near future.
Mrs. Pesce asked if another purchase is necessary to staff and cover the East Side. Chief Field
said with newer reserves and newer vehicles, it might be possible, but he wouldn’t want to put a 24 yr. old or 26 yr. old vehicle on the front line, rolling out the door everyday.
Mayor Bingham noted that our volunteers on the East End have full ranks and are becoming more and more involved in emergency situations everyday.
Mrs. Pesce said it’s important to remember what the Vehicle Replacement fund has been established for.
Mayor Bingham said the Plan has to be looked at every year for needs, equipment status, and work flow.
The Board voted unanimously to authorize payment in the amount of $459,950.00 to Northeastern Fire Apparatus Specialists of Cheshire, CT, pending approval from City Council, for the purchase of an Aerial Single Axle Apparatus.
On a motion by Mr. Scoville, seconded by Mrs. Pesce, and unanimously approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Asst. City Clerk
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