JOINT

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE and

WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

April 20, 2011

** NOT APPROVED **

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Public Safety Committee Members Present

M. Healy, D. Burdick, T. Hopkins, A. McGraw, C. Crandall (Absent: G. Benson)

Ways & Means Committee Members Present

T. Hopkins, D. Fanton, D. Burdick, M. Healy, K. LaForge, T. O’Grady, D. Pullen, F. Sinclair, C. Crandall

Others Present

L. Edwards, J. Margeson, M. Alger, N. Carnes, B. Riehle, F. Sinclair, R. Starks, R. Whitney, K. Monroe, J. Luckey, K. Graves, T. Ross

Pingrey Hill Tower

County Administrator John Margeson provided an update for the Ways and Means Committee members regarding the status to date. The legal notice of the RFP for the tower was placed in the newspapers and one bid was received. This was from SAIA Communications in the amount of $234,401.25 for a purchase. An alternate financing bid for a five year lease/purchase was made with a bid of $265,406.50, a difference of a little over $31,000. The County Attorney has reviewed the bids and they were acceptable. The Public Safety Committee needs to make a decision whether to award or reject the bid and then, if accepted, the Ways and Means Committee will need to determine the authorization of funding for the project.

A motion was made by Legislator Healy and seconded by Legislator Hopkins to accept the bid for purchase and full payment. Discussion ensued about using money from contingency and depleting available money. Chairman Crandall commented that the county is in a better financial position now, and he felt that this should be purchased and paid for now. Several legislators were concerned about the loss of taxes but it was felt the impact would be minimal. The motion was carried. The matter was referred to the Ways & Means Committee for final approval and to identify the funding source.

A motion was made by Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator Healy, and carried to authorize the appropriation of funds and approval of contract with Saia Communications, Inc. for the purchase of a 260’ self-supporting communications tower located on Pingrey Hill Road in the Town of Andover. The sum of $234,402 should be transferred from A1990.4 (Contingency) with the cost of the purchase of the tower appropriated to A3640.201 (Emergency Services – Equipment) and the cost of the land appropriated to A8710.210 (Conservation – Equipment)/Other). PREPARE RESOLUTION

County Administrator John Margeson and Assistant County Attorney Nora Carnes noted that SAIA is prepared to move ahead as soon as committee action is taken today.

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the committees, a motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Burdick, and carried to adjourn the meeting at 3:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Edwards

Youth Bureau Director/STOP DWI Coordinator