FINANCIAL BUSINESS REQUEST (FBR)
Motion/Request:
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MOTION to appropriate $3,000 to Account 21040113-56315 (Transfer Station Improvements) from Account 21090305-58915 (Undesignated) to fund the purchase of a weather-tight container for oversized televisions and other electronics at the Transfer Station.
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Background:
DEEP guidelines require covering of electronics staged for disposal at transfer stations. We have been using a large pop-up-type cover that has been replaced once and is now in need of replacement again. The average lifetime has been no more than two years. We would like to make a move to a more robust, long-lasting enclosure, as we use for virtually every other commodity. This would be a new export-type container at a cost of about $4,950, with shipping.
Department Comment/Recommendation:
We presently lack about $3,000 in funding in suitable accounts to cover the expense of this. I recommend a relatively small appropriation from undesignated capital funds to cover this. It should be noted that Transfer Station and other recycling revenues are appropriated to the undesignated fund. This has amounted to around $75,000 per year over the last five years.
Finance Director Comment/Recommendation:
Account 21090305-58915 (Undesignated) has a current, unencumbered balance of $433,378.
Mayor Comment/Recommendation:
I support the need to replace the pop-up tent currently in place. I suggest searching “Shipping Container” on Craigslist for Eastern CT. There are many options that are airtight, waterproof and locking for up to $2,000 and possibly available more locally.
Meeting Detail:
Town Council Meeting 9/28/2022
File #: 22446 Version: 1
Type: Financial Business Request (FBR)
Title: MOTION to appropriate $3,000 to Account 21040113-56315 (Transfer Station Improvements) from Account 21090305-58915 (Undesignated) to fund the purchase of a weather-tight container for oversized televisions and other electronics at the Transfer Station.
Mover: Saums Seconder: Ingalls
Action: Approved and so declared
Minute Note:
Moved by Councilor Saums, seconded by Councilor Ingalls
Discussion: Councilor Saums explained the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) guidelines required covering electronics staged for disposal at transfer stations. He provided some background noting initially they used cardboard boxes for disposal of televisions and other electronics at the Transfer Station; and that they were now using a large tent style tarp to cover the electronics. He stated although the tarp style tent worked better than the cardboard boxes the average lifecycle of the tarp has been no more than two-years, noting that they get destroyed by the sun and wind, etc. He stated rather than replace the electronic protection staging area with the same type of material (tarp) that they would like to purchase a weather-tight export type of container which would last much longer and would be a savings long-term because they would not have to replace the tarp every two-years.
Councilor Saums went on to state the Mayor had suggested looking for something cheaper on-line. He stated in looking for possible savings by purchasing a used export box from various sources Public Works Director/Town Engineer Steve Masalin told him today the Supplier found a 2021 model for $600.00 less than the original cost quoted for a 2022 model. Therefore, he stated they would not spend the full $3,000. He concluded by stating this was an example of the kind of Public Works spending that he mentioned during his Finance Committee Report earlier this evening. He stated because the town received Recycling and Transfer Fee Revenues, which were used for these types of expenses, that being able to plan better would be helpful.
Councilor McGrattan questioned whether the town received any money for the disposal of the televisions and other electronics. Councilor Saums stated he did not believe the town received much money from the electronics, noting that the most important issue was to get the materials out of the waste stream.
Councilor Ingalls noted during the September 21, 2022 Finance Committee meeting she questioned the reason the State required electronics, that were being discarded, to be stored in a weather tight container. She stated it was mentioned that the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) most likely required storing the electronics in a weather tight container was because of corrosion and potential seepage of chemicals and other toxic materials that were in the electronics.
VOTE: 6 - 0 Approved and so declared
Action: Approved and so declared
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Finance Cmt Meeting 9/21/2022
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File #: |
224 <https://ledyardct.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5814186&GUID=E2C7069F-CBA6-4209-A4C0-5F8D44613280>46 Version: 1 |
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Type: Financial Business Request (FBR) |
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Title: MOTION to appropriate $3,000 to Account 21040113-56315 (Transfer Station Improvements) from Account 21090305-58915 (Undesignated) to fund the purchase of a weather-tight container for oversized televisions and other electronics at the Transfer Station. |
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Mover: Ryan |
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Seconder: Ingalls |
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Action: |
Recommend to Approve |
Minutes Note:
Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Ingalls
Discussion: Public Works Director/Town Engineer Steve Masalin explained the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) guidelines require covering electronics staged for disposal at transfer stations. He provided some background noting initially they used cardboard boxes for disposal of televisions and other electronics at the Transfer Station; and that they were now using a large tent style tarp to cover televisions and other electronics at the Transfer Station. He stated although the tarp style tent worked better than the cardboard boxes the average lifecycle of the tarp has been no more than two-years, noting that it gets blown apart, etc. He stated rather than replace the electronic protection staging area with the same type of material (tarp) that they would like to purchase a weather-tight export type of container which would last much longer and would be a savings long-term because they would not have to replace the tarp every two-years.
Mr. Masalin went on to explain that the Transfer Station and other recycling revenues were appropriated to the Undesignated Fund. He stated over the last five years these revenues have totaled about $75,000 per year. Therefore, he stated because the Public Works Budget did not have adequate funding to purchase the weather-tight export type container, he was requesting a transfer/appropriation from the Undesignated Fund in the amount $3,000 to Account 21040113-56315 (Transfer Station Improvements) from Account 21090305-58915 (Undesignated) to purchase the weather-tight container for the oversized televisions and other electronics at the Transfer Station.
Councilor Ingalls questioned the reason the State required electronics, that were being discarded, to be stored in a weather tight container. Councilor Ryan stated he would assume the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) required storing the electronics in a weather tight container was because of corrosion and potential seepage of chemicals and other toxic materials that were in the electronics.
Councilor Saums questioned the Mayor’s comment on LF# 22-446 regarding possible savings by purchasing a used export box for electronics from an on-line auction site such as E-Bay. Mr. Masalin stated he and the Mayor discussed options to purchase the export box. He stated Building & Grounds Forman Sean Ruszcyk investigated options to purchase a used export box, including purchasing a used export box from the supplier they would like to purchase the new export box from. He explained although the pricing was less expensive, that the supplier did not have any used export boxes available. He stated they were keeping purchasing a used export box from the Supplier as an option, should the Supplier have a used export box come in before the town moved forward with the purchase of the export box. He also addressed the weather tight warrantee on a used export box, noting the lifecycle of a new export box would go beyond five-years before they would need to replace the box.
VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared
Action: Recommend to Approve