Christmas present for NEMI
It may be a long time coming, but council for the Northeast Town approved a tender for a new front-loading garbage truck after the current truck, a standard compactor-style truck, has faced numerous breakdowns this year that have cost $80,000 in repairs. The latest breakdown saw the replacement of two hydraulic pumps at $10,000 each with the additional cost of ‘purging’ at $3,000 per pump.
Three tenders were received for the new garbage truck: Joe Johnson, $641,862.44 including HST; Commercial Truck, $607,375 including HST; and Mid-Ontario Truck, $633,302.85 including HST. Council passed a motion to approve the tender from Commercial Truck.
Councillor Bill Koehler had asked for figure on contracting garbage services out. CAO Dave Williamson explained that the costs of the new truck were comparative to contracting services out, but with the loss of flexibility of pickup, it would not be worth it.
The wait time for a new truck, from any of the vendors, is approximately 15 months. Staff is hopeful the current compactor truck will hold its own until it can be replaced.
McLean’s Mountain Park washroom facilities
Council entered into an agreement with the Minister of Employment and Social Development to receive funds in the amount of $82,056 for the creation of washroom facilities at McLean’s Mountain Park.
Insurance tender
Council received one tender for municipal insurance from Marsh Canada Limited for an annual premium of $228,604. This is an increase of $22,000, or 9.9 percent, over last year’s premium.
CAO Dave Williamson noted that this increase is not as high as has been seen in the market. Councillor Michael Erskine queried if this was as a result of a lower claims history from the municipality. The CAO agreed that, in part, it was.
