DPW committee approves equipment purchases, seasonal hires and personnel changes; several contracts authorized

The Allegany County Department of Public Works committee approved a series of equipment purchases, personnel changes and service agreements during its March 5 meeting, including the purchase of a lowboy trailer (with trade-in), a road-widener, seasonal hires and several service contracts.

The actions were routine approvals sought by department staff to support highway, bridge and buildings-and-grounds operations. Committee members moved and seconded each item and carried them by voice vote.

The committee approved a $28,514 transfer from D5110.408 to DM50130.412 to cover a new cover for the county’s salt storage building on County Route 48; the motion carried by voice vote.

The committee approved purchase of a 2025 lowboy trailer from Tracy Road for a listed price of $157,990 with a trade-in credit of $63,000, yielding a net purchase price of $94,990. Members said the new trailer is larger and will accommodate heavier equipment on the county’s equipment replacement plan.

The panel authorized awarding the bid for a Midland road-widener to Stevenson Equipment, the sole bidder, at $139,830; staff said the unit is budgeted and will be used to rebuild shoulder material and reduce drop-offs at pavement edges.

The department received permission to hire up to 19 seasonal workers at the corrected wage of $15.50 per hour. Committee members described the summer hires as routine, citing high seasonal demand for road and bridge work and the value of work experience for students and early-career trade workers.

Personnel changes approved included abolishing a fiscal manager title to create and fill an accountant position; committee members confirmed internal staff had reviewed and supported the reorganization.

The group also approved a continuation of HVAC service coverage by Trane Inc. for Allegany County Jail for the year 2025 at a stated price of $4,890 and authorized procurement of a fire-alarm and monitoring system for the new conflict defenders office from Startek (installation $20,630; annual monitoring $670). Startek was approved as a matching product to systems already being installed on the campus. Staff said the Startek item is a change order and that additional change orders may follow as the remodel continues.

Other routine items — including buildings-and-grounds updates, solid waste operational notes and weights-and-measures reports — were acknowledged without formal debate.

Votes at a glance

- Transfer $28,514 for salt storage building cover (D5110.408 → DM50130.412): motion carried by voice vote (yes: 5; no: 0). Note: dollar amount stated in agenda: $28,514.

- Purchase 2025 lowboy trailer from Tracy Road: listed price $157,990; trade-in credit $63,000; net $94,990; motion carried by voice vote (yes: 5; no: 0).

- Award/purchase Midland road-widener from Stevenson Equipment: $139,830; sole bidder; motion carried by voice vote (yes: 5; no: 0).

- Hire up to 19 seasonal employees at $15.50/hour: motion carried by voice vote (yes: 5; no: 0).

- Create and fill accountant position and abolish fiscal manager title: motion carried by voice vote (yes: 5; no: 0).

- Authorize chairman to sign HVAC service agreement with Trane Inc. for Allegany County Jail for 2025 ($4,890): motion carried by voice vote (yes: 5; no: 0).

- Authorize chairman to sign agreement with Startek for fire alarm installation ($20,630) and annual monitoring ($670) for the new conflict defenders office: motion carried by voice vote (yes: 5; no: 0). Staff said part of the cost is covered by state court funds and the remainder by county funds (ARPA or other county sources); staff called this a change order and said further change orders are possible.

All actions listed above were recorded as carried by voice vote during the meeting.