School's fuel buy 'leaves us in the cold,' town says
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By PATRICIA MINICHIELLO STAFF WRITER - Published: May 28, 2009
After years of working together, the town of Rutland and the school are parting ways when it comes to buying fuel.
Rutland Town School has locked in a rate of $1.89 per gallon, while the municipality, yet to lock in, is likely to pay 20 to 30 cents more per gallon for fuel than the school.
This year, the school has decided to pool its fuel purchase with three other schools, instead of the town. The schools, all part of the Rutland Central Supervisory Union, include Proctor Elementary School, Proctor High School and West Rutland School.
Town officials were irritated Tuesday by the school's decision to break away from the routine that has defined fuel buying in Rutland Town for at least 12 years.
"That leaves us with a lot less buying power," Stanley Rhodes III, chairman of the Select Board, said, noting he is currently in talks with Proctor and West Rutland to see if all three municipalities can pool this year's fuel purchase to secure a better rate.
Selectman Richard DelBianco, who served as town clerk and treasurer for 21 years, voiced his concerns with the news of the school's decision.
"It certainly gave us a shock," DelBianco said. "Now that leaves us out in the cold to fend for ourselves. I am very upset about it," he added.
DelBianco said taxpayers might see savings on the school side, but not on the municipal side and the town is likely to pay $2.25 per gallon, even if they combine efforts with Proctor and West Rutland.
With regard to buying power, the school purchases an estimated 40,000 gallons of fuel a year. The town buys about 6,500 gallons. Without the school, the town loses one-third of its buying power, according to Rhodes.
On the flip side, by joining forces with the supervisory union, the school gains the buying power of 121,000 gallons of fuel a year, and with it, the rate of $1.89 per gallon.
Town Clerk and Treasurer Marie Hyjek said even though the town will likely pay a higher rate for fuel, the school's decision might still save taxpayer dollars. Hyjek said ultimately she wants what is best for taxpayers.
Selectman Joshua Terenzini agreed keeping taxpayers' best financial interests at heart is a priority for the town, but said the school essentially diminished the town's buying power by bidding with the union instead of the municipality.
"It is blatant that the school didn't care about cooperating with the Select Board," Terenzini said. "Bottom line, the school could have extended us an invitation to bid together. In the end, what saves the most money for the taxpayer is what is best for the town."
Cheryl Scarzello, business manager for the union, said it was not the school's intent to hurt the town's ability to get a competitive price for fuel.
"The intent was to obtain the best price possible for the school and be fiscally responsible for the taxpayers. The intent was not to hurt the school in any way."
The school solicited bids for fuel in March and decided on a vendor April 21. They chose Proctor Coal out of the six bids that were returned. The town plans to put fuel out to bid in the coming weeks.
School Board Chairman Stacy Chapman said the school was hoping Proctor Coal would give the town the same rate, but unfortunately the bidding process ended in April and that is not possible now.
"There's no intentions to snub anybody or do anything that causes hard feelings. Ultimately, regardless of whether it's on the town side or school side, it all comes out of the same pockets," he said.
patricia.minichiello@rutlandherald.com
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