Mayor Art Ward is pushing to lower the cost of plowing snow in Bristol.
He's working with officials from public works, the park department and the schools to try to change the system currently in use so that fewer private plows are needed.
Ward said, for example, that it may make sense to use the park plows on city streets for some storms to help clear them for morning commuters and then shift the focus onto park property, perhaps with help from public works plows.
The same logic would apply to snow plow equipment used by the schools, the mayor said.
By figuring out what plows are available in each department and then working out the most efficient way to use them, Ward said, the city ought to be able to use fewer private contractors to fill the gap.
Since private plow operators are going to need more money this year to pay for fuel, Ward said, reducing use is the key to keeping snow removal costs from soaring out of control.
Comptroller Glenn Klocko said the last couple of winters have been relatively easy on city finances "so we're due."
Ward said that snow plowing is merely the first of many areas he's looking at in the hope of reducing duplication of services and cutting costs for taxpayers.
The mayor is even talking to the leaders of neighboring towns about looking for potential savings by checking into providing some services on a regional basis.
So far, there are no solid changes slated, but the effort could lead to less spending at City Hall.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
31 comments:
Gee, sounds like Artie is finally getting around to reading all those reports on the Government Effiecency Board that were done a few years back.
How is using over-paid public union employees "streamlining the bureauacracy"?.
Privatize the plowing!
How is using over-paid public union employees "streamlining the bureauacracy"?.
Privatize the plowing!
August 27, 2008 7:01 PM
``````````````````````
HEY !!!!!!!!!! We need to keep giving those union employees the overtime so that we can keep in office ....
Gee ..... some people just don't understand how the system works ..
I applaud the effort, and I am one of those union-bashing, naysaying, Republican lackeys.
Has he determined that this will result in a savings? Figure more OT, wear and tear on city vehicles etc. etc.
How much will this slow down the plowing?
Will services actually be reduced?
Generally speaking, cities privatize because it is cheaper for the taxpayer.
But less OT for political supporters.
private plows cost between 75 &125 dollars an hour plus .City employees cost far less.As a matter of fact the outside unions suggested this in 1998 but was meet with resistance from department heads. ART supported then and now will be able to put it in place.
I'm impressed! Keep up the good work Mayor Ward.
"private plows cost between 75 &125 dollars an hour plus .City employees cost far less"
--I officially dispute this statement.
8:04 - "officially?", then what is the rate or is it a secret? what a bunch of fr-----g pansies.
Ward...moving Bristol Back-Ward!
McCaly and company will love this. Gives his union buddy's overtime!!
"Ward...moving Bristol Back-Ward!"
Yawn....Keep repeating it (over and over, and over, and over)...and maybe someday you can convince someone beside yourself! ;-O
The rest of us will stick with the mayor and keep moving Bristol for-Ward!
Big government Dumb-o-crat Ward in action!
Yeah unionized workers with their OT, pensions, healthcare, and workmans comp. is cheaper. What a tunnel-vision statement that is.
Ken Johnson in 2009.
where has big boy johnson been anyhow - no publicity, no fame, no show?
whoever does the plowing doesn't make a difference....however, we need to make sure these clowns plow the snow then GO HOME !!!
i can't tell you how many times last winter the plow jockeys made several more passes when the street was already clean !!!
but that's what you get when you get paid by the hour.
maybe the city should limit the amount of time the plows are on the road based on the amount of snow that has accumulated.
nah, that would be too easy.
-billy from bristol
Will we ever see a rationale for this, or will it go the way of the report on the meeting with Monica, the report on usage of city vehicles etc etc????
Yes Art, you apparently think we are mushrooms: you keep up in the dark and feed us manure.
Ken Johnson GONE in 2009!
2:31 - HAVEN'T SEEN NOR HEARD FROM JOHNSON SINCE THE LAST ELECTION, 'CEPT FOR HIS WINING ABOUT THE DEAD CL&P ISSUE.
I REALLY THINK THAT THE CITY TAXPAYERS GOT "JOHNSON-ED" BY KEN JOHNSON.
try getting off your duff and do some homework find out the real cost critic
4:18 poster,
Do you homework and then make a talk about Johnson. His company has already found more than 400k comming back to it from CL&P.
Steve did a story on this a couple weeks back.
johnson's firm is ALLEGING that CL & P owes this much; remains to be seen how much is actually realized.
That is Johnson"s claim.
We have not received any of that and probably never will, except the original amount CL&P agreed to.
MINUS Johnsons cut and our expenses which are adding up day by day.
Ya, don't pick on Kenny. He might get mad and throw a temper tantrum!!! Waaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
Are you saying we have more expenses in addition to Johnsons bonus and fee?
There seems to be, and if we go before the DPUC, we will probably incur more.
But you won't hear Ward and his Council talking about it.
Too bad that this administration is not telling us the whole story.
Yes, because all of the other administrations were just so open and forthcoming! ...give me a break.
But Artie was the biggest complainer!!!
And now he is even worse than the others!!
...he honestly had a lot to complain about.
And now he is even worse.
A hypocrite!.
Post a Comment