New method of fleet management presented

The Town Council is considering a new way of purchasing vehicles.

Andrew Luck of Enterprise Fleet Management presented the company’s program of handling the purchase and removal of vehicles at the council’s meeting Thursday, July 14.

Chief financial officer Thomas Ferry suggested the presentation.

Luck explained that Enterprise sells more cars than it rents. The fleet management division works with private companies as well as with municipalities, including Vernon.

Enterprise manages the fleets, keeping track of mileage, repairs and any other information that can be obtained through the VIN number, Luck said. The company also can manage maintenance of the vehicles.

The town may finance new vehicles through the fleet service, he said.

Purchasing through fleet management can keep vehicles updated and save the town money, he added.

Mayor Helen Le Frois asked how Enterprise makes money on the program.

Luck said the company takes a small percentage as a management fee. Enterprise keeps an inventory of vehicles that can be used by towns and also orders cars.

It can provide vehicles that serve as crash trucks or chief’s cars though not ambulances nor firetrucks. “We can provide vehicles that match your needs,” he said.

Council members will continue the discussion at their next meeting.

In regular business, the council adopted an ordinance providing $36,000 for various pool improvements.

Sewer rehabilitation

Council members also awarded a $3 million contract to PM Construction Corp. of Farmingdale, N.Y., for phase 1 of the sewer rehabilitation project.

The town is applying for a state Infrastructure Bank construction loan for the acquisition, construction, renovation or installation of various wastewater plant improvements.

The principal amount is not to exceed about $7.3 million. The town is to issue bonds worth about $3.5 million.

Resolutions approved:

- Awarded a $273,150 professional engineering services contract to Paulus, Sokolowski and Sarter of Warren related to the bid and construction phase of the pump station consolidation project.

- Authorized the purchase of a Chevrolet Tahoe police pursuit vehicle for $59,026.

- Awarded a $55,000 contract to Harold Pellow and Associates of Augusta for engineering design of Firehouse #1.

- Awarded a $28,250 contract to HQW Architects for design services for the exterior of Firehouse #1.

- Approved a shared services agreement with Hampton Township for resurfacing of the town’s section of Plotts Road. The total cost of the work is $107.010 and the cost of the Newton section is $27,374.

- Awarded a $15,000 contract to Suburban Consulting Engineers of Flanders for engineering services related to the State Revolving Fund Project Prioritization.

A new state law allows municipalities to increase their bid thresholds. The council voted to increase Newton’s threshold to $53,000.

This means projects up to that amount do not have to go out to bid. Instead, the town just as to get three quotes.