Manchester Aldermen Approve Lawsuit Settlement, But Defer Vote On Penske Permit

The Manchester Board of Aldermen conducted its final February meeting Tuesday night in what mayor David Willson called ‘record time,’ as the Aldermen took care of its entire agenda in just under 35 minutes.

Part of the reason the meeting went so quickly was the aldermen were able to resolve four pressing issues with no objections, while agreeing to defer voting on a fifth topic for another night.

Lawsuit Settlement-

The primary issue of the night was a vote on a budget adjustment that would allocate $35,000 from the city’s 2012 opening budget to its 2011 ending budget, which would fund the city’s settlement payment on a discrimination lawsuit.

(Read Previous Story: Manchester Pays $35K to Settle Discrimination Lawsuit)

As they did on all of the topics for the night, aldermen voted 6-0 to approve the budget adjustment.

Three other items were voted on and unanimously approved after limited discussion Tuesday night.

Glan Tai and Big Bend Drives Construction-

The Aldermen voted to accept the bid of J.M. Marschuetz Construction Co., in an amount not to exceed $146,396, on the reconstruction project of Glan Tai and Big Bend Drives.

(Read Previous Story: Manchester Aldermen Vote on Lawsuit Settlement, Penske and City Pool )

Alderman John Schrader of Ward 3 introduced the resolution, which included proposals from four different contractors. It was unanimously approved to accept the lowest bid from Marschuetz Construction.

Pool Management-

Another new resolution approved without objection was accepting a bid of $169,690 from Lifeguards Unlimited to manage and operate the Manchester Aquatic Center in 2012. The contract includes all necessary labor, materials, tools, and expendable equipment.

The Center is expected to open in May, and will be run by Lifeguards Unlimited all summer until its expected close in September.

New City Vehicle-

The final vote of the night was the Aldermen’s accepting of a bid by the John Deere Company in the amount of $13,034.13 for the purchase of a Gator utility vehicle for the city.

Part of that transaction will include a trade-in of a 1998 model Gator the city already owns for a newer model.

According to bid documents provided by the city, the proposed purchase amount is nearly $500 less than the city’s budgeted amount, which is why aldermen approved the proposal with no objection.

Penske Special Permit-

The one key issue of the night that didn’t get voted on, but was deferred until the next board of aldermen meeting on March 5, was whether the city would issue a special use permit to local business Ridgway Insurance Group LLC, to operate as a Penske agent from its current location at 14575 Manchester Road.

(Read Previous Story: Permit For Penske May be a Problem in Manchester)

There was no discussion on the issue on Tuesday, but in proposed documentation, the request was not recommended by the city’s Planning and Zoning Committee due to concerns over traffic and noise.

The Manchester Board of Aldermen’s next public meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 5.

Public Works Director Recognized-

One enjoyable note from Tuesday night's meeting was Mayor Willson’s surprise mayoral proclamation honoring Manchester Public Works Department Director Bob Ruck’s 40 years of service to the city of Manchester.

Willson listed numerous accomplishments during Ruck’s career with the city, and said that it was “his pleasure” to work with a diligent and tireless city servant like Ruck.

In a brief acceptance speech, Ruck said that he enjoyed serving the city and would continue to work with and help in any way he could the citizens of Manchester.