The new economic realities of municipality have hit Thomaston, Connecticut square in the tree service budget. According to an article in the TownTimesNews.com, the Board of Finance gave the final nod of approval to the Highway Department on a barter deal involving an unused city vehicle and tree service. From the article:
According to First Selectman Edmond Mone at a recent Board of Selectmen meeting, there are currently two vehicles no longer in service in the Highway Department, which also lost a staff member due to budget cuts for this new fiscal year. Mr. Mone was approached by Mr. Pronovost that an opportunity for a barter might help the town’s current “tree service” problem.
“Customarily, a vehicle like this one would go for $4,000 at auction,” said Mr. Mone at the BOS meeting. “The truck needs a new transmission and a lot of work.”
However, through Mr. Pronovost’s research, he received an estimated trade in value of $8,000 for this particular truck from a local motor company.
“Higgins Tree Service is willing to provide a 75-foot bucket lift, chipper and two men for $200 an hour,” said Mr. Mone. “They will provide 30 hours of work, which totals $6,000, in trade of our truck. In the barter agreement, they would receive the 1993 Ford International.”
The BOS had given permission for Mr. Pronovost to enter into this barter agreement and sent it along to the BOF for final review. According to BOF Chairman Dave Colavecchio, the “acquisition and disposal of town vehicles” is something overseen by the BOF.
“We do have to make sure this agreement states that the truck is being bartered ‘as is,’” said Mr. Mone.
Bruce Barrett, selectman, agreed that it would be in the best interest of the town to enter into this kind of agreement.
“Barters are a good thing,” said Mr. Barrett. “You’re both getting what you want and the taxpayers don’t have to pay anything.”
According to Mr. Pronovost, there are almost 30 trees that could be taken down now and at a normal price tag of $1,000 a tree, this barter would be the best way for the town to get the tree service it needs at a much lower cost to the residents of Thomaston.
Read the full article at http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20440717&BRD=1379&PAG=461&dept_id=162906&rfi=6
