Board approves water system maintenance, parks equipment

From page 1 outlined for the board’s consideration: chlorine analyzers monitor levels of chlorine and the pH probes maintain the pH levels at the village’s wells. The nitrate analyzer is specifically to monitor levels of nitrate at the Clinton Road well.

For the water quality testing services the board approved a renewal of rates for Pace Analytical Services Inc. for the one-year period, July 2023 through June 2024, according to the price schedule on file with the Village Clerk’s Office. Pace, an Environmental Protection Agencycertified lab, will perform testing of Garden City drinking and groundwater required by the Nassau County and New York State Health Departments, and the village is also required to sample water for the Lead/Copper program.

For the village’s SCADA system and well controls, Garden City’s trustees approved engagement with the computer well contractor, Eagle Control Corp. of Yaphank, for additional water wells’ service calls for the SCADA system and well controls. The company’s engagement covers the 2023 calendar year, plus the costs of parts. Superintendent Borroni said the SCADA system is critical to the operations of water treatment and distribution, with Eagle Control Corp. on board “to monitor pumps, tank levels, chemical residuals, pressures and required alarm controls.”

The Board also approved the extension of a consulting agreement with DAK Services of NY, to provide water consultation services for an additional year – with its contract running from July 18, 2023 through July 17, 2024.

DPW Superintendent Borroni explained how DAK Services of NY is a consultant helping to fill the gap “to operate and manage the village water system.”

“DAK Services has also been part of the ongoing water treatment updates and assisting with coordination of startups of our wells. We are actively working to hire and train internal staff, to rely less on consultant services,” Borroni said.

The Board of Trustees also approved a few capital items for Recreation and Parks’ Department operations, including new vehicle/equipment purchases on an “express” timeline to see them in use in Garden City sooner than later. During the Recreation Commission meeting held on June 20, Village Superintendent of Recreation and Parks Paul Blake explained, “we did something we have not done in a while as we went out for our capital equipment really fast – the Village Board was very accommodating in their approvals last Thursday (June 15).”

The Rec. Department will have a new model LR856 tree truck from Altec Industries of Alabama, coming at a cost of $208,713. The item was budgeted as a $215,000 capital expense, and the purchase is being made through a Sourcewell purchasing contract. Blake explained that this truck will replace the current 2009 model which has seen many hours of work.

“Last year the tree truck failed its lift test, the OSHA certifying test, as we had to have about $19,000 worth of repairs done on it. We requested the funding of the new truck and we got a good price from the Sourcewell contract. We got the order in quickly because it’s a 20 to 24 month delivery time for the custom built,” he said.

The Rec. Department is also purchasing a new Brush Bandit wood chipper, to replace one of the two current models in use by staff. The Board approved the purchase of the 200XP model Brush Bandit, for $47,612.50 from Malvese Equipment Co. of Hicksville. The item was originally budgeted as a $49,000 capital expense.

Superintendent Blake says the wood chipper being replaced is on its last legs now. He said the new chipper will be “slided to the truck” once it arrives.

The Board approved an equipment item the village is purchasing off a New York State contract, with a $65,637.82 purchase for a snow mover/multi-use tractor with the boom cutting equipment and and brush attachment on it. The item is being bought from Storr Tractor Inc. of Ronkonkoma. The Rec. Department purchased the same “multiuse” Ventrac last year and the item was budgeted at $70,000. With its placement on the state contract, this was already publicly bid.

“The tractor works phenomenally well. It can do everything from plowing snow to cutting the grass and trimming hedges,” Blake said.

Village Trustee Bruce Torino asked about lead time for all of the equipment being purchased for Rec. Department use, and Blake advised of his expectations, including a few conversations with the vendors to see if expediting was possible.

Blake said the snow mover might be delivered within six to eight weeks, and the wood chipper might take eight to 10 weeks to arrive in Garden City.

“As for the tree truck, we are in touch with Altec Industries and they have a network of fleet stores around the country. We asked if they could search in the inventories, to see if there is a truck that meets our specifications which may have been ordered but not purchased by another entity. If that is the case we may be able to save some time,” he noted.

With a capital project detailed at the June 15 meeting, the village board authorized approval for a $99,500 contract submitted by J.T. Masonry and Landscaping of Levittown, to demolish the old water fountain at the corner of Stewart and Franklin Avenues, and to supply and install a new fountain. Parallel to the approval, the board voted to reject the bid from Sierra Contracting Corp. as they did not meet the specifications.