Monessen council battles over tractor
See the video from the meeting on our website at www.monvalleyindependent.com
By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com
Within minutes of opening Monday’s special meeting of Monessen council, Councilman Tony Orzechowski called the city administrator and other councilmen out for what he believes to have been lies told at the April 14 meeting.
At that meeting there was a debate over the purchase of three new tractors, which were orchestrated without the input of Orzechowski or Councilwoman Lois Thomas, who oversee the departments that use the tractors.
City Administrator John Harhai said at the time that the biggest purchase — a John Deere tractor with an 18-foot Bengal Boom Mower for $129,647 — was being financed by the dealer, Stephenson Equipment, for four years. When Orzechowski asked for the contract, Harhai said there wasn’t one and there were no contract terms, but the financing would be at 0% interest.
When pressed for a contract before taking a vote, Harhai said it would delay ordering the tractor and would mean the city wouldn’t get it in time to use this year. Solicitor Tim Witt suggested getting a quote from Stephenson Equipment with the important terms included to hold over until a contract could be secured.
The purpose of last night’s meeting was to consider a capital finance agreement with KS StateBank for the purchase of the John Deere tractor.
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