Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Borough hires Susquehanna Heritage to run the trolley

Columbia Trolley Works trolley
[Columbia Spy file photo]


At Monday's meeting, Columbia Borough Council unanimously approved an "Addendum to Professional Services Agreement Between The Borough of Columbia AND The Susquehanna Heritage Corporation..." for management and marketing of the borough-owned Columbia Trolley Works trolley.

As part of the agreement, the borough will provide $11,000 annually to Susquehanna Heritage "for costs associated with management of the Trolley." The breakdown of anticipated annual costs is as follows:
  • Trolley Management: $4,000
  • On-Board Interpretation - (Trolley Guides-formerly known as volunteers), two part-time positions: $4,000.
  • Support costs: (Equipment, signs, brochures, insurance, miscellaneous): $2,000.
  • SHC Administrative Support: (Accounting, Personnel Management, etc.):  $1,000

Excerpts from the agreement:
  • Trolley Maintenance: The borough shall ensure that the trolley is maintained and operated in a manner that complies with local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to its operation, including licenses and other requirements of the public utility commission and/or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Costs associated with maintaining and fueling the Trolley are the sole responsibility of the borough. The Borough shall maintain and fuel the Trolley so that it is readily available for use year-round, including maintaining a fully functional heat and air conditioning system. The Borough shall immediately inform Susquehanna Heritage of any mechanical or other issues that prevent the Trolley from operating. The Trolley shall be housed and maintained by the Borough at a location to be determined by the Borough.
  • Scheduling and staffing: The Borough shall be responsible for recruiting, selecting, training, supervising, and compensating employees assigned to drive and maintain the Trolley. All such employees shall be employees of the Borough and not employees of Susquehanna Heritage... It shall be the responsibility of the Borough Manager to handle any personnel issues relating to Borough employees and the Trolley operation.
The complete document can be found HERE.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why don't the borough do all of this ,they have plenty of people now. Maybe they will house it in the market house, and have a legal parking space for the mayors truck too. (parking 20 feet from a cross walk)

Anonymous said...

This will bring the trail walkers and boaters up into town,for free at tax payers expence.

Anonymous said...

HERE IS AN IDEA, SELL THE P.O.S!!!!

Anonymous said...

This was a council mans idea (trolley) Now the borough has to pay people to drive,up keep,fuel,and pay s/h 11,000 to advertise a free ride. All at tax payers expence. Whats wrong with this group of people spending our tax money? The council man that had this brain storm DOES'T PAY HIS OWN BILLS proven over and over.

Chaos said...

Why don't they use it to take kids to school

Anonymous said...

I hope it does't use the streets in Columbia like walnut st it will be a very high bill to fix from the holes and ditches in them. GREAT IDEA CLEON (cash only)

Anonymous said...

THIS IS MORE SMOKE, BOROUGH PAYS 11,000 FOR WHAT ,THEY PAY DRIVER,FUEL REPAIRS,INSURANCE(ON THE TROLLEY) to run weekends for maybe 4 to 5 months,thats $2,200 a month for 5 month. GREAT IDEAS COME OUT OF THIS GROUP.

Anonymous said...

Wasn't this from the Community Development Committee headed by Mr Coffee? How much money was gained in this or lost? Should be public knowledge.

Anonymous said...

We, the people of this borough that actually now own this trolley, need to see the results from last summer. Where are the facts and figures? We need to demand to see how much was gained or lost. I would like to know the total price for fuel to operate it in 2017. Will it maintain the same route as last year? Looks like we are responsible for everything and we will give Susquehanna Heritage $11,000 to manage it? Anyone attending meetings should wear boots cause it's really getting deep.

Anonymous said...

this trolley is ridiculous. Our taxes pay for it then we have to ride it. Let's do some things to save our tax money. I wish I was as rich as the people on boro council who have this kind of money to agree with it all. They must like to pay our taxes.

Anonymous said...

This should be a public document. Ask for it and also ask the Chamber who was involved. Unless they use creative numbers crunching, the figures aren't good.

Anonymous said...

hoe much did they pay for it to start?

Anonymous said...

Wait till you see this SMOKE.

Anonymous said...

What about the market house, he was part of that mess to, and how much is that going to cost tax payers to fix the floor?

Anonymous said...

DO THEY ALL LIVE HERE??

Anonymous said...

It takes 60 to 90 days to filter and post council meeting minutes

Anonymous said...

That would require another police officer to hold order.

Anonymous said...

Stop asking this same stupid question!!! Asked and Answered 100 times, NO THEY DON'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

WHY? to spend our money they should

Anonymous said...

They can use the trolley bus to drive all the code enforcement officers around.

Anonymous said...

Get a double decker

Anonymous said...

$40,000 to buy it . it made about $60 a week DO THE MATH