Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

February 1, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

City of Haverhill Saves Thousands in Fuel Costs under New School Bus Plan

HAVERHILL- Mayor James J. Fiorentini lauded the savings generated by a new plan undertaken by his administration that will save Haverhill taxpayers an estimated $14,600 this year.  Fiorentini detailed the reforms undertaken with the manner in which the City pays for gasoline for City school buses.

“Previously, Coppola Bus Company, which provides school bus transportation for the Haverhill Public Schools, would fuel up their own vehicles, paying taxes and high retail gas prices.  These costs were then passed onto the City,” Mayor Fiorentini explained.  “Now, we have the City’s fuel supplier (Dennis K. Burke) delivering diesel fuel directly to Coppola on the City’s behalf.  The invoices for this wholesale fuel are sent to and paid by School Department, free from Federal gasoline Excise Tax.”

The savings are estimated at over 24 cents per gallon, with the school buses using approximately 60,000 gallons a year.

“The savings equates to over $14,600 a year,” concluded the Mayor.  “I’d like to thank our new Purchasing Director Bob DeFusco, the administration at Coppola Bus and the School Department for working together to find more efficient ways of doing business.  These are the sorts of reforms and cost efficiencies we need to get us through these challenging fiscal times,” noted the Mayor.