Town gas use policy
I've had several people ask me about the town's gas use policy for town vehicles. So following the Feb 13 Town Manager's report, I figured that would be a perfect opportunity to ask the question and have the whole town get a quick tutorial. Unfortunately, I got the Heisman... and was yet again left with the feeling that open discussion is not welcome during Council meetings unless the majority knows where the discussion will lead.
Anyway... here's the clip of the brief discussion:And here's the followup answer from the TM on the gas use policy:
Gasoline is dispensed at the Public works garage and the Police Department. Employees who are eligible to dispense gasoline have individual access codes which they use to engage the pump. The respective departments receive monthly reports indicating the amount and frequency of an individual’s fill-ups, which is monitored by these respective departments.
...to which I wonder... yeah, it was 11:30pm, but how long would it have taken the TM to speak those words or simply say he was uncertain and would get back to me? Either of those answers would've left me feeling a lot better than the answer I got when I tried to ask a simple enough question.
Finally, for your reference... the TM also gave us a copy of the town vehicle use policy... that's the policy that governs the 170 or so vehicles in the town fleet (schools not included). Here's the policy:
Town vehicles are assigned for use to certain employees in conjunction with the employee’s performance of assigned, official Town duties. This policy establishes the parameters for the utilization of Town vehicles by employees in the performance of their duties. This policy does not apply to any vehicle assigned for use to the Town Manager.
Town vehicles are to be used for official Town business only in connection with the performance of an employee's assigned duties. Use of Town owned vehicles for personal purposes by an employee is prohibited, except as described below.
Certain employees who hold positions that may require them to return to duty during off duty hours on a frequent basis may be authorized to utilize a Town vehicle to commute to and from their places of work. This authorization is made for the convenience of the Town to enable employees to perform assigned duties required of them outside of normal working hours. Employees should limit the amount of personal stops made the amount of times family members are in Town vehicles. This provision shall apply to employees authorized by the Town Manager for this privilege. In general it will apply to the following Departments:
Police
Fire
Public Works
Building Inspection
Parks and Recreation
Employees authorized for use of Town vehicles for commuting, except for Police and Fire personnel, shall be subject to Treasury Internal Revenue Service Regulations relating to the taxation of fringe benefits and the Town will withhold taxes on the value of commuting use accordingly.
I have some thoughts on the gas use policy. But it's late and I'm beat. Any of you have any thoughts on the gas use policy? How 'bout the vehicle use policy?
Tim White
13 comments:
The actions of the junior Senator from Wisconsin have caused alarm and dismay amongst our allies abroad, and given considerable comfort to our enemies. And whose fault is that? Not really his. He didn't create this situation of fear; he merely exploited it— and rather successfully. Cassius was right. "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves."
Good night, and good luck.
Cutting energy use to save taxpayers money is one thing, but getting the federal government involved to reduce dependence on foriegn oil would be a very bad mistake. I just read through that whole Energy Security Leadership Council report you linked to last week. Don't fall for it.
Hell, Tim, I don't know what kind of job you do over there, but I think half the reason you get elected is so this blog stays up.
LET ME GET THIS RIGHT
the tm responds to you in a professional manner and you lhave a problem with that
You need to work on your skills
try to work with the other members in a grown up fashion
our newest member of the council has more maturity and poise
"LET ME GET THIS RIGHT"
What's your problem? Tim asks a simple question of the TM and instead of the TM responding, Hall inserts himself in between and doesn't let the TM give a simple answer in return?
Don't jump all over Tim if you can't understand the problem. Why does Hall have to control everything? Why can't council members ask simple questions and have the person they are directing the question to, answer it or say they would like to review the policy and practice before giving an answer right now.
Is the sign of maturity and poise equated to follow the leader and keep your mouth shut?
So, there are 170 town vehicles and an unknown number of vehicles under Florio's control. How many vehicles are there under the Florio?
Maybe another question should be, why do we have so many vehicles? Excluding fire, police, maintenance vehicles and the jobs that require daily site visits, all the other vehicles should be periodically reviewed. Cheshire is a small town and it doesn't require a town vehicle to commute to and from work. I hope we are not providing vehicles to people who live out of town.
a sign of maturity is when you get an answer to your question you say thanks
or you could improve your relationship with all around you
then you might get respect or something done
Anon 11:04 Are you refering to the newest councilwomen? She seems to have memorized her answers. Is she given a script to follow? If so, she is doing a great job.
I wish I knew the context better, but it does seem that if a meeting is running late, a good chair will try to move a meeting along whenever something can be done by email as it was done, and promptly it would seem since you've already gotten your answer. You work hard enough, Tim! Be thankful for a chair who is trying to enable you to get to bed earlier!
Quod... thanks :)
But my concern is not just with this particular question. There's a troubling pattern I see.
For instance, at the meeting this Tuesday, I tried to offer direction to the town on the pool. But Matt told me that adding a motion was procedurally incorrect (my words, not his). Yet a few minutes later, Jimmy Sima suggested something and a motion was added to the agenda.
Why? I don't know. Maybe some legal reason?
But as you can see, on Feb 13 it was too late and on Feb 26 there was a procedural problem. And the list of reasons for no discussion at other meetings goes on (I've had people around town ask me about this.)
Anyway... these aren't the first instances. I see a troubling pattern in which I ask questions and discussion on the topic is prohibited.
And lastly, before people start jumping all over me, please consider my perspective... if I point these things out now... there is plenty of time to fix things, if I'm right... of course, that's a judgment that others will make.
lack of mature judgement
does not do his homework
inability to get citizens or fellow councilors to get on board with him=
no action
no leadership0
Tim:
Show some maturity. You should just sit there and never question anything, least of all Matt Hall.
You have to understand that Matt has all the answers before there is any discussion. Imagine your in Cuba. Matt does the thinking and your supposed to vote "Yes" when Matt tells you.
Is there a copy of Hall's Rules of Order?
Do you work in a place that has not phone
or a phone at home
You could have gotten this information any time you wanted it but now lets make a big deal about it late at night
and you tube it to booot
attention seeking immature behavior
Do we have the same policy as Madison? They had problems.
Don't ask anymore questions and let them fall on their face.
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