ACCOUNT OPENED WITH BUDGET SURPLUS
Your Council recently passed a resolution authorizing the Finance Director, Marian Delaney to open a new Capital Reserve Account with budget surpluses. $53,946 was deposited into this Capital Reserve Account and set aside for future capital investments. This amount results from an excess of revenues over the Council approved expenses in the FY 2004-5 budget. More contributions to this Account are expected in the next 60 days. A Finance Committee was established last July consisting of Finance Director, Marian Delaney, Finance Council Liaison Gen Miller and City Treasurer, Janet Carlin to review all expenses every two weeks of each of the operating departments. For more information, call any member of the Finance Committee at 322-9801.
$14,500 SAVED IN DUMP FEES SO FAR
Your Council passed legislation recently that created a YARD WASTE RECYLING PROGRAM in the City. The program began in June 2004 and so far 250 tones of yard waste have been diverted from Cherry Island Landfill and has saved the City $14,500 in dump fees. Compost and mulch will be ready for City residents to use in the spring. Public Service employees are also currently collecting Christmas Trees for mulching. Please call Jim Weldin at 323-6089 or email jimweldin@newcastlecity.org for more information about this program.
ALL OUTSIDE CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN BID
The City employs the services of many professional specialized companies for accounting, insurance, planning, legal, cleaning work, landscaping, etc…. While many companies have been with us for years, your Council has methodically subjected EVERY ONE of these services to a public bid within the last 2 years to ensure that all companies are qualified for the work and not subject to personal influence. This process has been a healthy exercise for the bidders and the City. All RVPs (Request for Proposals) are published in newspapers for broad participation and subject to a list of specifications for compliance and cost. If you have a question about this process, please call Finance/HR Director, Marian Delaney at 322-9811 or email her at mdelaney113@newcastlecity.org.
$10,000 FIRE MITIGATION GRANT WORKING
Public Services Director, Jim Weldin, secured a $10,000 grant from the Department of Agriculture for brush and weed clearing in the Dobbinsville area. The Dept. of Ag awarded the contract to Asplund, Inc. for the work. Asplund is working in Dobbinsville now and this is expected to improve the fire safety of the Dobbinsville area. For more information, please call Jim Weldin at 323-6089 or email jimweldin@newcastlecity.org for more information.
$20,000 NEW HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT
Working as the Head of Public Works Homeland Security Task Force for the State of Delaware, Jim Weldin secured a grant from DEMA of approximately $20,000 worth of equipment for New Castle. This new equipment will assist Public Services personnel with safety and coordination with other departments and agencies in our City and State. The list of equipment includes traffic and pedestrian barricades, emergency outside lighting, 800-megahertz radios for communications with PD, Good Will Fire Co, and other statewide emergency personnel. The City will also have 24/7 access to DELDOT traffic management center. Approximately $5,000 will be used to partner with MSC in the purchase and use of a new large format printer and scanner. For more information on this equipment and new improvements, please call Jim Weldin at 323-6089 or email at jimweldin@newcastlecity.org.
