Town Manager’s Report
Tuesday
October 4, 2005
Transfer Station Operations and Savings:
When Randy Cookson arranged for the grinding of wood waste rather than having it disposed of in the traditional load and carry off method, he indicated that it would have a savings for the tax payers. Thus far in FT’06 we have had 189.84 tones of wood waste processed on site at a cost of $2,942.52 or about $15.50 per ton. We have been paying $77.00 a ton for the other method of disposal which included $22.00 per ton for transportation and loading time. This new approach yields a savings of $11,675 thus far and if we added the fuel charge savings the total savings is about $12,479.
Also users of the transfer station can do their part to increase savings by separating out all plastics coded 1-7. This increases what we have separated in the past and it will decrease further, our disposal costs.
Congratulations to Randy and his team for their efforts to save the tax payers money.
Annual Audit and Management and Discussion Letter:
The Town has just completed its annual auditing and MD&A letter. We received an unqualified report and that means we are in compliance with the accounting procedures the Auditor uses. We have implemented some of their recommendations and are working on a cash receipt system that will further allow us to comply with their recommendations.
Copies of the full audit and letter are available for inspection at both the Town offices and the Public Library.
Review of the Town’s Emergency Operating Plan:
The Town is in the process of reviewing its Emergency Operating Plan. The initial review started when the Emergency Manager, Gary Wood and Chief Barton met with the Manager and commenced the review of the Plan. By the end of October the preliminary review will involve the Public Safety committee, the staff at Gray Fire and Rescue and Citizens’ Corps. After further input and drafting the Council will receive the amended plan for their review and adoption.
It was felt that the timing was right for such a review and that some of the basic focus points of the plan needed to be updated in light of the major weather events that we have witnessed this fall in other parts of the country. Gray will play an extremely important role should Maine coastal communities require any type of evacuations.
Dry Mills School House-
The Town Manager’s Office received correspondence from the State Historic Preservation Office indicating that efforts were progressing to amend the information and assure the Dry Mills School House was on the State and National Registry. The Town has the right to file any objections to this, if they should decide to do so.
We feel that this is an honor and recognition not only for the School House but for those volunteers who have worked hard to preserve the School House for future generations.
Work Tasks Status Report from the Manager’s Office:
Annual Audit and Management and Discussion Letter- Completed
Annual Report- The Printer is receiving the information for a Nov. 1 completion
Tax commitment, Tax Bills- Completed
Monitor Rt. 26 By-Pass Progress- Constant
Bridge Projects- Hunt’s Davis Bridge- To be completed by Thanksgiving if Council approves both the pre-purchase of the structures and the results of the Contractor Bidding.
Knights Bridge- Expect Bidding to result in a recommendation in early January.
Mayall Bridge- Expect Bidding to result in a recommendation in early January unless this work is placed on hold.
Pennell Legal Case- Expect the Town’s written arguments to be submitted later this month. Judge may allow for oral arguments. Position of Council and supporting documents part of the arguments.
Winter Private Road Plowing Contracts- Completed
New Begin Floor Work- Completed
PWD Loader Purchase- Bid Awarded awaiting delivery.
Stimson Exterior Painting- Awaiting abatement proposal due to lead content
Downtown Planning Grant Scope of Services- Redrafted and will be delivered to the Council for Oct 18 action.
Council Issues and Actions:
Development of Fiscal Policy-Budget Guidelines for FT ‘06
Agritourism Ordinance- redrafted and will appear before the Council on Oct. 18
Rt. 26 By-Pass, Signalization coordination, and project time table- Monitoring and requested of MDOT.
Zoning elements and review- Subject of the Council’s joint meeting on Oct. 10
Council Rules amendments- In progress
Review and decision of Tax acquired properties- in progress-related to some CIP decisions.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mitchell A. Berkowitz
Town Manager
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