Town of Halifax, VT

MINUTES – Emergency Meeting

September 7, 2011

Call to Order

An emergency meeting of the Halifax Selectboard was held at the Halifax Fire Station to discuss the requisition of equipment needed to continue the cleanup of Tropical Storm Irene.  The meeting was called to order at 11:00 am on Wednesday, September 7, 2011.  Selectboard members in attendance were John LaFlamme, Lewis Sumner, and Edee Edwards.  Others in attendance were Christina Moore and Carrie Perna.

New Business

Requisition of Rock Truck and Excavator

The Selectboard met to discuss the bids for a Rock truck and Excavators, with operators, to assist in the cleanup of Tropical Storm Irene flood damage.

Bids received by phone from Joe Tamburrino: 

Lane Construction

3 CY excavator & operator: $225/hr (FEMA Rate: $200 without operator)

Rock Truck & operator: $150/hr (FEMA Rate: $105 without operator)

Transportation of equipment: $2000 round trip

Icarus / D.Ray (uses 2 business names):

4 CY excavator & operator: $225/hr (FEMA Rate: $200 without operator)

Rock truck & operator: $185/hr (FEMA Rate: $105 without operator)

Transportation of equipment: $2000 round trip

Others contacted, Cercosimo, did not have equipment needed. Mitchell Excavating was called also, and on a call back was determined not to have equipment available.

The amounts bid over the FEMA rate is substantial.  The FEMA rates do not include operators. Because the valid bidders did not have equivalent machinery and one bid higher on one item and the other higher on the other, a discussion of the merits of having both vehicles manned by operators who were used to working together was held.  It was also discussed that the original bid request had both pieces of equipment on the same list, and it could likely not be changed without losing the contractors to other towns in need.  Due to the shortage of equipment in the wake of the Irene storm, and the fact that the original bid specified the larger machine, LaFlamme made a motion to accept Icarus /D. Ray’s bid, and Sumner seconded it.  The motion carried 2-0-1, with Edwards abstaining.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:10 am.

Respectfully submitted,

Edee Edwards, Selectboard member