Finance Committee - 8/2/2017 Page 7
Mayor Donchess
To some degree I’m sure they have a plan but to some degree they respond to complaints. For example we
had a resident from 57 Palm Square who complained or commented that the brush along the section of the rail
trail just east of Palm for that block was all overgrown which it was. Parks went out within a few days and they
cut it down. Had they not been asked to do that particular section, they probably would have done something
else. There’s probably more than they can do with their own staff or with this mowing.
Dan Kooken
Just to clarify, | can definitely talk to Mr. Caggiano. Do we want a general or do you want a street by street
kind of idea of where they’re going to be?
Mayor Donchess
If you want to talk to him in detail, | think it’s subject to his time. | think its better if he comes in so that — it’s
hard for him to summarize all this in writing. You might have follow up questions if you have a memo you don’t
get anything.
Alderman Cookson
Even if its’ a map or something that says I’m looking at this section and just highlight those sections. | think it
would be quick and easy. | don’t want to make much extra work for him but I’d like to know. What’s drawing
his attention as to areas of focus for the city? | know that in the paragraph with regard to discussion, he talks
about maintaining maintenance mowing of Mine Falls Park canal and the levy system along the Merrimack
River. Again how much — that could a lot into this $65 an hour, $26,000 total. | don’t know how long that
would take just to do that piece of it.
Alderman O’Brien
| was just going to bring it up Mr. Mayor exactly what Alderman Cookson and reading the discussion on the
bid, it is an interesting note to decide what they’re going to do. They were going to do the canals as well. It
also appears that we seem to have some difficult in getting bids. We sent 8 bids out to particular companies
and one company did respond which was Kohl and I’m very excited about that. I’m more excited that they
have agreed to keep their pricing within the 2016 pricing limitations. Based upon that, | think we do have
questions legitimately that we need to discuss with Park/Rec. I’d like to see this motion go forward because at
least it’s got to get something mowed that’s going to enhance our city. We can focus on the areas in further
consultation with Park/Rec.
Mayor Donchess
We can definitely get a report from him either map form, have him come in, something that will provide more
detail. | would ask that you as Alderman O’Brien suggested that you approve the contract, let them go forward
but that they report to us as to what they see the priorities.
Alderman Cookson
So just looking at the timing of that, we have a meeting on August 8", next Tuesday, correct?
Mayor Donchess
Our next Finance meeting would be...
