Town of Schaghticoke (population 7679)
Name of service/government operation: Town of Schaghticoke
Form of sharing: Highway Department Equipment
Services affected: Highway maintenance
Year started: 1980
Partners: Rensselaer County and several Towns
Primary goal(s)/motivation(s): Borrowing equipment we do not own but may occasionally need from another municipality saves tax dollars. This has been successfully done for a number of years. The piece of equipment is sent with a driver from the municipality that owns it to minimize any conflicts.
What planning process preceded the sharing? Highway Department Supervisors came together in discussion to enable this sharing
What governance structures and/or agreements are required to maintain this agreement? None.
Challenges: None to date.
Benefits: Having the ability to use equipment that is needed but not owned by the municipality.
Impact on budget: Tax dollars are not spent on equipment that is used occasionally.
Impact on labor: None.
Impact on service: Enables the municipalities to perform tasks that need to be done at no additional cost to improve the conditions of our roads.
Key contact: Shawn Hayes Highway Superintendent