Board of Trustee Minutes

PRESENT: Payne, Devine, Stefanes, Buckley, Barnett, Savoie, Roncelli

Also present, Police Chief Zimmerman, Deputy Chief Bowden, Fire Chief Chartier, Tom Trice, Public Works Director, Jerry Marenger, Public Works Superintendent, Rich Davis, Public Works Assistant Superintendent and Katie Schlutow, Public Works Secretary

The Township’s current contract with Waste Management ends on July 1, 2007.

The Township went out for bids and on February 14, 2007, eight bids were received. Tom Trice introduced the Township staff that made up the Bid Evaluation team – Jerry Marenger, Rich Davis and Katie Schlutow.

Final consideration consisted of three companies: Rizzo, Richfield and Waste Management. There were three areas of focus: references, interviews and site visits.

Rizzo –

This company currently has a contract with Chesterfield Township, which is comparable to Bloomfield Township (in size and residents). When Rizzo replaced the previous waste corporation (Waste Management), the transition was seamless.

Richfield –

This company does not service a community that is comparable to Bloomfield Township. The majority of the communities are small and they do not provide five-day service anywhere. Also, their customer service department is contracted out to a marketing company.

Waste Management –

The Board discussed the drawbacks to hiring a new contractor after so many years and the fact that Rizzo will also be starting a new contract with Royal Oak in July.

The Board agreed that due to resident savings, Township savings and a reputation for providing a seamless transition, the bid contract should go to Rizzo. The Board will vote on the Solid Waste Contract at the next meeting, Monday, March 26, 2007.

In the future, State revenue sharing may be given only to communities that share services. The Township has been discussing sharing possible dispatch and/or animal welfare services with Birmingham for a number of years.

At this time, the consolidation project is an idea. There is no intention to rush into this, but to make it a five or ten year process. Both communities understand that this must be done in phases with equal costs and savings.

The resolution drafted by Birmingham is very general and consistent with the proposal. It does not commit the Township to any program; both Boards must approve everything.

The Board agreed that residents would like to see that the Township is working to reduce expenses and this resolution makes a public commitment.

It was the consensus of the Board that Supervisor Payne contact Birmingham to schedule a time when both Boards could adopt this resolution.

Meeting adjourned at 10:53 a.m.

__________________________
JANET RONCELLI

TOWNSHIP CLERK

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