July 09, 2008

As Costs Rise, Cities Move to Curb Take-Home Vehicles

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BOSTON - With gas at $4 and change, at least five of the North region’s largest municipalities are looking to curb the use of take-home vehicles and other city-owned autos, according to www.boston.com.

Haverhill appears to be leading the way, though not without a struggle.

Mayor James Fiorentini recently ordered a 15-percent cutback to his city’s fleet of take-home vehicles — there are roughly 60 — and is asking bosses to provide written justifications for the employees who say they must have a car at all times. The city plans to whittle at least 11 take-home cars from

Haverhill’s fleet, including five vehicles used by the Police Department and four cars used by meter readers.

The 12 cars the city’s DPW director would like to keep are vehicles used by a DPW foreman, plumbers, engineers, and others who are on-call 24 hours a day.

In addition to reducing the city fleet, Fiorentini said that gas usage in city-owned cars will be monitored with GPS units, and that no city-owned car will be allowed outside Haverhill except on city business. Employees have been instructed to reduce how often they allow cars to idle, to check frequently for adequate tire pressure, and to figure out the most efficient way to get from one point to another.

Malden, Peabody, Revere, and Salem also are looking at how to put the brakes on their fleets.

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