NEW ROCHELLE, NY — By combining refuse and recycling pickup services for all municipal and school locations, the City of New Rochelle, City School District- and taxpayers- are now on track to save $75,000 annually.
A new intermunicipal agreement calls for the City to provide sanitation services for the school district, a job that formerly required two district workers and specialized equipment. The agreement facilitated the purchase of a new collection truck and freed up employees for other assignments. Savings to the school district- and now the taxpayers- as a result of the consolidation will be 50% of the former cost, about $75,000 per year.
“Prior to our shared services agreement, the School District provided refuse and recycling services for all of our facilities,” said Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Osborne. “Reassigning these tasks to the City means we can redirect our maintenance staff and efforts to core priorities. We are grateful for this partnership and welcome future endeavors.”
Mayor Noam Bramson said, “The City and School District serve the same community and the same taxpayers, so we should seize every opportunity to work together, reduce duplication, and save money.”
“This small effort will continue to save substantial dollars each and every year,” said City Manager Chuck Strome. “Steps like these will yield great results over time, and are catalysts for further innovations.”
The City now services 11 school buildings and 2 maintenance locations. The IMA enabled the purchase of new equipment where recyclables and waste can be collected in one split body packer, increasing operational and energy efficiency.
With the goal of expanding shared services and cutting costs, the City and CSDNR have met together since 2015 and continue to dialogue in the areas of Public Works, Technology, and Parks & Recreation initiatives.