Government

A new pick-up for Fire and Rescue and a new account for Parks and Rec

| Joanne Cole, NGX |

At an emergency special meeting on August 6, the board of selectmen jumped to take advantage of what town manager Brenda Fox-Howard called “an incredibly good price” on a utility truck for Fire and Rescue.  The board also approved creating an enterprise account for parks and recreation that could help stabilize its funding for programs, including for a possible childcare initiative. 

Utility pick-up for fire and rescue.  Voters in July gave their collective blessing to tapping $42,000 from fire and rescue capital reserves for a utility pick-up truck.  Now public works director Ted Shane, working closely with fire and rescue chief Toby Martin, had located a truck in Vermont that met all desired specs: a new red diesel crew cab with a hard-to-find 8’ bed that could be had for $43,400 after trade-in.

The only question was whether the board would commit to purchase the truck before another buyer swooped in.  They did, unanimously, after discussion.

According to Shane, the truck in question would include a sprayed-in bedliner and has a $53,000+ sticker.  O’Connor GMC would acquire the truck, bring it to Maine, and sell it to New Gloucester. 

The $42,000 budgeted was based on costs for a pick-up with a gas engine, Shane told the board.  As a diesel, this one would be better for towing and have a better drivetrain warranty and likely lifespan.  George Colby agreed.  “This truck exceeds all the specifications that were written by quite a bit.  I would expect a minimum of twenty years out of this truck.”

Board member Peter Bragdon asked whether the board would be departing from its state bid purchasing policy by proceeding with an off-the-lot purchase.  Shane replied that the town is getting advantageous government pricing without the delays and uncertainties of the formal state bid process and build-out timetable: likely no truck until next spring or summer.  As it is, public works and fire and rescue are swapping vehicles just to get by.  Added manager Fox-Howard, “We’ve beat the price on what the state would have for a bid.  You’d get a very much smaller version of what this is for the price.” 

Linda Chase agreed, “I understand they don’t want to wait for April.”  Chase did want the record to be clear, however: “We’re paying $46,900 for the truck,” because of a $3500 trade-in, she noted.

The last $1400 needed will come from fire and rescue’s operating budget.  With that, the board voted 4-0 (Tammy Donovan was absent) to authorize the purchase at $43,400. 

Enterprise account for parks and rec.  Next the board discussed whether to establish an enterprise account for the parks and recreation department.  Such a fund could be a step toward greater self-sufficiency by allowing parks and rec to keep any surplus revenues rather than see them slide into the town’s general fund.  The retained funds could then serve as seed money in a subsequent year, manager Fox-Howard said.  Without an enterprise fund, parks and rec will continue to be at the mercy of unpredictable annual appropriations.

The impetus behind an enterprise account at this moment, Fox-Howard explained, is a childcare program New Gloucester and Gray’s parks and rec departments hope to launch jointly in time for fall.  The community building behind town hall would be the New Gloucester site and could accommodate up to 20 children.  Fox-Howard described the childcare shortage locally as “urgent,” and said demand will outstrip the available spaces.

Fox-Howard said that Gray rec has offered its staff and support to help get the childcare program off the ground.  Gray is “willing to give us anything we need to get going initially,” Fox-Howard said, “which, to me, is hugely generous.  They want us to succeed just as much as they do.” 

The enterprise fund would allow NG parks and rec to accept fees directly from families, pay back Gray for any staff time and supplies it advanced, and hold any excess revenue the program generates.  Fox-Howard said that planning with parks and rec director Morgan Rocheleau has been under way for weeks. 

Board members had questions.  They wanted to know about the status of the community building and possible liability and insurance considerations, among other concerns.  Citing “too many moving parts,” Peter Bragdon wanted to see an agreement in writing with Gray.  Linda Chase asked for details about how exactly payments between New Gloucester and Gray would work.  A past proposed childcare program that didn’t get airborne appeared to contribute to the board’s caution.     

Fox-Howard will return with the specifics next meeting.  As a first step, the board unanimously approved creating the enterprise account.            

Video of the board’s August 6 meeting can be viewed here.