LEGISLATURE STUFF - Anything but Blah

By Michael Ryan

CATSKILL - The world keeps whirling around whether there is a hot story or the same old same old emanating from the Greene County Legislature.

This week features the latter, although any resolutions or laws adopted are anything but the usual blah for the involved agencies and individuals.

Lawmakers, during their recent monthly meeting, okayed a lengthy list of measures and agreements including the following:

—The purchase of a 2025 excavator for the Solid Waste Department, with a suitable John Deere 135 P Tier model, meeting all the requirements, available from United Construction & Forestry for $212,500.

After a trade-in allowance of $77,000 for the county’s current 2022 Hyundai HX-130 excavator, the amount owed the dealer, based in Clifton Park, is $135,500, the resolution shows.

—The purchase of a 2025 wheel loader with options for the Solid Waste Department and likewise, a satisfactory John Deere 444 G Tier Wheel model is on hand at United Construction & Forestry for $176,000.

Subtracting a trade-in allowance of $105,000.00 for a 2023 John Deere 444 currently owned by the county, we mules of taxation owe the firm $71,000.

—The acquisition of two 2025 wheel loaders with options for the Highway Department and, as good fortune would have it, they too are obtainable thru United Construction and Forestry for $187,900 each.

A suitable pair of John Deere 544 G-Tier wheel loaders, measuring up to all the specifications, will ultimately cost $87,900 apiece (totaling $175,800), thanks to a trade-in value of $200,000 on a couple of 2019 John Deere 544K wheel loaders currently owned by the county.

—The acquisition of a 2025 John Deere 85 P Tier Excavator (with options) for use by the Highway Department, to be delivered by - guess who? - United Construction and Forestry for $136,000.

Unlike the first three deals, there is no trade-in. Legislature chairman Patrick Linger noted, with fiscal exuberance, that funds for all the transactions are already included in the 2025 budget.

“There is no borrowing,” Linger said. All four procurements are channelled through Sourcewell Contract #011723-JDC, a State Office of General Services agreement that keeps the price at a minimum.

That fiscal savings can be similarly shared by the county with local municipalities, often resulting in happy rather than sad spending.

—The buying and installation of a high pressure breathing air compressor and fill station system for the county’s Emergency Services Center.

Solicitations for the apparatus went out in December with two bids received including the lower offer of $74,920 submitted by AAA Emergency Supply, headquartered in White Plains.

The second estimate came from a local dealer but was multiple thousands of dollars more than the accepted deal, officials said.

Lawmakers further authorized the county treasurer to transfer the 75 G’s from an Emergency Services Reserve Fund to Appropriated Reserve.

—The purchase of a vehicle for the county Buildings and Grounds agency, going through the State Office of General Services competitive mini-bid process, finding a little beauty for $50,997.65.

Buildings and Grounds will be getting a 2025 Ford F259 XLT Super Cab 4x4 from McGuire Ford, based in Ithaca.

Funds were already written into the 2025 budget, the measure states, noting the department will surplus a 2013 Ford F250 model.

—A pay increase for election inspectors which has not happened since 2018 and covers various elements of the job.

Lawmakers passed a resolution stating State that election law requires four inspectors per district, drawing equally from the two major political parties.

“The efficient and fair administration of elections in Greene County, and all of New York State, is dependent on capable and trained election inspectors being available to work at our voting poll sites,” the measure states.

Election inspectors are required to work “extremely long hours” in General and Primary elections (5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. or later) and “long hours” (10:30 a.m. 9:30 p.m..or later) for Village vote, the measure states.

Compensation for the inspectors will be raised thusly: General and Primary elections (from $225 to $275); Village elections (from $125 to $175) and Training Sessions (from $25 to $30).