Enterprise Fleet Management Recommends Getting Rid Of Smithtown's Aging Fleet

Town Board discusses fleet management Smithtown Town Board met for a work session on Jan. 5. The first such meeting in 2016. The session began with Supervisor Vecchio welcoming Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo to the Town Board. Then the board got down to work. 

Town Comptroller Donald Musnug addressed the board about a proposal by Enterprise Fleet Management to operate a fleet management program for the town.  Smithtown currently has 192 vehicles under 26,000 lbs. operated by various departments. Many of them are well over the age when they operate at peak efficiency. Three men Jacob Garth, Peter Setaro and Jay Greene, representing Enterprise Fleet Management, explained to board members why fleet management is beneficial to the town.

Since September Comptroller Musnug has been working with Enterprise Fleet Management, exploring the benefits of their program which include ridding the town of older vehicles and adopting a policy that ensures that the replacements are kept for only five years.  Musnug spoke of “cost savings, economies and efficiencies.” Feeling very confident, Musnug proposed putting a resolution on the agenda to be voted on at the January 21st meeting.

Not so fast!, was the consensus of the board members.

The company is currently working with Brookhaven and Huntington managing their fleets. According to Jacob Garth, Government Marketing Agent, fleet management includes management and aquisitions as well as selling equipment at the optimal time and lowering operation costs.

Almost 60 percent of Smithtown’s 192 vehicles are over ten years old. The older the vehicle the more repair work required and less fuel efficiency. Enterprise predicted that the town’s fleet would eventually be reduced to 170 vehicles. “The goal of fleet management is to lower the age of the fleet and to do it for less than you are spending today without impacting your current budget.” said Jacob.

Board members peppered the presenters with questions. Councilwoman Nowick asked how Enterprise gets paid for their work. Apparently there are no additional costs to the town, according to Enterprise they make money from the purchase, sale and financing of the vehicles. 

While Board members did not commit to the Enterprise proposal, there was definitely interest. In a discussion with Councilman Wehrheim after the Town Board meeting, he expressed an interest in learning more. He had not known prior to the work session that this proposal was being considered. While he thought the discussion was positive, he wanted time to think it through and time to talk with department heads and to learn more. 

Supervisor Vecchio seemed supportive, but he too wanted more discussion before placing a resolution for a vote.