Bullock bytes: Town manager sounds off

Garbage collection:

“We had some issues with trucks breaking down that caused delays in service last month. Waste Management has corrected the problems. And, effective July 1, residents will see a 1-cent reduction in their monthly bills. One cent is 1 cent. I’m just happy to see a reduction instead of an increase.”

Permits in the Planning, Zoning and Building Department: 

“It’s as busy in that building as it was in the boom time before the recession. I’ve never seen it so busy. We have some contract help to offset the busy workload our employees are dealing with.”

Subaqueous wastewater pipeline replacement: 

“I would replace the line. I see nothing that tells me we shouldn’t do that. And we need a backup line. But it’s good to assess the pipe, and that’s what we’re preparing for.”

Bayfront Park improvements:

“I think it will be under construction by the end of the year, and that’s exciting. I’m still working on getting the cost of the project down more. It’s down to $3.11 million right now. The goal is for Sarasota County to help pay for it.”

New town-wide computer system:

“It needs to be replaced. It’s old and costs $135,000 to maintain each year. We’re working on going out to bid for a new system that will allow all departments to communicate better.”

911 dispatch:

“I recommended going with Sarasota County, and that’s the direction I have to move forward with. But working with both counties on this showed me that both counties are looking out for our best interest.”

Traffic congestion:

“For years, the Florida Department of Transportation has told the barrier islands to just wait until after season and the traffic will go away. That seemed like a reasonable answer when I worked on the other side of the bay, but it’s not a reasonable answer now that I’m on this side of the bay. We need FDOT to own the problem, and that’s why we’re trying to get them to do a traffic study that looks at and addresses all the issues.”