William Ritchie CPE-CFA-LCS
Anonymous
Forum Replies Created
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In reply to: Certified Playground Woodchips –
Hi Joe. We use US playgroundsurfaces. They are a preferred vendor for MFAA.
We purchased and they install about 208 yd every year. Estimate about 45.00 per yard to purchase and install. They are down in Connecticut so price might be higher and depends of logistics, fencing and obstacles.
Great vendor to work with.
Bill Ritchie
Town of Milton.
In reply to: Scissor Lift Vendors
In reply to: Security
Hi Ken.
I am providing you with two vendors as I don’t know the specifics to your question.
For my security installations-design, cameras, door access and so on we use BCM controls.
For my remote monitoring of systems we use Advanced Alarm.
I had both vendors for over 8 years and have no issues.
Bill Ritchie
Town of Milton
617-898-4930
In reply to: COVID Time Charge Questions for Union Staff
Hi Joe.
At this present time we are paying 100% for any staff member who needs quarantined due to COVID-19. This involves the individual, a family member and close contact. Since my staff is considered “essential personnel” we usually discuss each COVIID-19 related case with the BOH and make decisions that reflect the current State guidelines/mandates. The guidelines have definitely changed over the last four months.
Bill Ritchie
Town of Milton
Consolidated Facilities
In reply to: Facilities Staff Vacation, Sick, Persone;
Hi Steve. I have four unions and all come with different benefits and rules. Below is what the school custodians are offered.
The custodial staff members receive vacation time based on years of service. Two weeks for the first year, three weeks after five years, one month after ten years and five weeks after twenty years. The staff receive 15 sicksays per year and four personal days. All earned vacation time is given on July 1st and personal time on January 1st.
Vacation and personal time must be used during that year and sicktime can be accrued. We
have two black out periods lasting one week each. Last week of school and the week prior to opening day.
Hope this helps.
Bill Ritchie from Town of Milton.
In reply to: Uniform Program
In reply to: Work-Life Balance
Jon, you are not alone my friend. Public sector Facilities Directors and Managers are the Building 19 of the facilities world. “We always do more for less”. I just started my 20th year in the public sector after coming from the private sector after 15 years. It is still not easy but you NEED to find the balance that works best for you.
Join MFAA and attend some of the meetings. Find a coworker and friend in our world that you can share information so that you can learn how to deal with the hundred of issues we have to deal with. Lastly, after you do some sole searching and if you still feel overwhelmed and stressed out you will have to make some hard choice. Your health and family comes first.
Bill Ritchie, Town of Milton.
In reply to: Any Public Facilities Departments part of DPW
Hi Angela. Within the Town of Milton, the oversight of public buildings/facilities operations is called the Department of Consolidated Facilities. The position reports directly to the Town Administrator and then to the Superintendent of Schools. The department is listed as a town department, has its own budget and support staff. We work very closely with our DPW as much of the project work involves routine coordination of services.
Bill Ritchie, Director of Consolidated Facilities
Town of Milton
In reply to: Carbon Monoxide Detectors
We only have CO detection in the boiler rooms. It appears that there is very little guidance on how many and where the CO detectors would be installed to install CO in a school building that is 250,000 SF. I belong to an Engineering Association and one of our members is a Fire Safety PE and he recommends CO in the boiler rooms, any room adjacent to the boiler plant and above/below the plant as a safety measure. I just hope that if the newly proposed bill passes everyone will receive more guidance.
Bill Ritchie, Town of Milton.
In reply to: Take Home Vehicles
In reply to: Eye Wash Station testing
Hi Denise.
We started a certified inspection program with Emergency Assessment Services a few years ago and it is very successful. For many years we relied on the science teachers to perform in-house inspections and any repairs. It was not very successful. We also tried our in-house maintenance staff but it took away from other valuable project work. We now have EAS come twice a year and we have no issues and we have detailed safety reports.
Hope this helps.
Bill Ritchie from Town of Milton
Hi Joseph.
We installed 21 vape detectors in our High School about three months ago. We used the Flysence unit and they seem to be working fine. We have them in the bathrooms and locker rooms. We get a lot of notifications which is a small nuisance. No damage to the units as of yet.
Bill Ritchie, Town of Milton.
In reply to: Electric vehicle charging station
The Town of Milton just installed a new EV charging station a few months ago. We won a $10,000 grant from Power Options for the charging station and we used our utilities to help fund the site plans, installation and engineering through the Make Ready Program. We installed a new transformer with four ports for future expansion. The charging station that we installed is Chargepoint. It is a great system that is all Web-based.
Bill Ritchie. Town of Milton 617-898-4930
In reply to: Building Access
Access to each school or a town building is determined by the Superintendent or the Town Administrator. For the school district it is basically 7-3:30 pm for the teachers and extended hours for selected staff. Custodial, maintenance and administrators have 27/7 access to either one building or all buildings depending on the position and level of responsibility.
Bill Ritchie: Town of Milton.
