Council here is hoping cost savings will result from a decision to contract out street sweeping duties.
Roads foreman Mike McIsaac reported at the April 16 council meeting that Minto has been handling the spring cleanup of town streets with its own staff and equipment with an operational budget of $15,000.
In 2002 the town purchased a street sweeper for $19,000 and in 2006 another sweeper was purchased for $49,462. Since purchasing the equipment, the town has spent $29,702 on maintenance for the 2002 sweeper and $22,726 for the 2006 model.
McIsaac pointed out equipment costs have averaged $10,990, not including fuel or the staff hours to run and maintain the machines. In 2006, Mobil Sweeping charged $11,093 for contract sweeping of Harriston, Palmerston and Clifford.
“Maintenance costs for these two pieces of equipment are very high and unnecessary,” McIsaac reported. He also noted the machines are used during only about an eight-week period and the work must be done late at night, adding hours of labour to the regular work week. “The equipment also takes up valuable storage space in town facilities,” he added.
“Contracting out the annual street sweeping would eliminate the replacement cost of new street sweepers, estimated at $300,000,” he reported.
McIsaac explained the work could be contracted within the existing operating budget and would eliminate future capital spending.
“I’m not usually for contracting out work that we can do with our staff. I know sweepers are a different issue,” said councillor Ron Faulkner, who wanted to be sure the contracting would still be accomplished within budget at today’s prices.
McIsaac said current pricing was factored in.
Councillor Rick Hembly pointed out the town already contracts out other jobs, such as grass cutting.
“If everything is getting contracted out, are we that busy now? Is there enough jobs to keep the boys busy?” asked Hembly, noting he expects to get that type of question from ratepayers on the issue.
McIsaac said staff are busy with jobs like filling pot holes, grading roads, tree trimming and sidewalk maintenance.
Public works director Brian Hansen said the department is currently about two weeks behind on traditional spring projects because winter extended into April. “We’re probably two guys short right now,” he stated.
“When we go on the road tour, we’ll show you exactly what we’re up against,” said Hansen in reference to a planned council tour of roads and bridges in the municipality.
“There is a lot of work for our guys to do,” said Hansen, noting that in 2015 the works department will have the additional pressure of preparing to host the International Plowing Match near Harriston in 2016.
Councillor Dave Turton noted contract street sweepers generally work around the clock to get the job done in a condensed period of time.
“I really think we need to let our ratepayers know they’re going to be, at three o’clock in the morning, sweeping the streets.”
McIsaac said the late night/early morning sweeping is generally done on main streets, not residential areas.
Councillor Ron Elliot wondered if contracting the street sweeping would solve the annual problem with leaves in the fall. He noted that despite leaf drop off locations offered by the town, “Fifty per cent of the people rake their lawns right into the gutter and that’s where they stay until next spring.
“We have bylaws that cover that, but nobody charges anybody,” said Elliott. “It ruins our communities and we take pride in our communities.”
Elliott asked about the feasibility of bringing in a company to vacuum up the leaves, as some communities do.
Mayor George Bridge suggested some of the savings from contracting the street sweeping might be diverted to such projects.
“Hopefully if we take some of that money, maybe we can look at the leaves or some other things with some of that money that we were spending anyway,” Bridge said.
Council agreed to proceed with the sale of the town’s street sweepers, with only Hembly opposed.
