RANDAL BROWN
SOUTHWICK – Preliminary budget discussions continued with the Board of Selectmen last night with Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Randy Brown.
Brown went through requests for each DPW division.
In the water division, Brown said the priority is leak detection equipment.
“Typically we subcontract that at a cost of $5,000-$6,000 every year or two,” said Brown. “I think there will be savings [by purchasing it].”
The second request for the water division is a hand-held water meter. Brown said the department has two meters and often has to borrow a third.
In the sewer division, Brown said topping the list of requests is Phase II sewer design.
“I think it’s time to take the next step,” said Brown. “Let’s get that ball rolling and we need to appropriate some funds toward design efforts.”
Another sewer priority is an upgrade to three pump stations at a cost of $570,000.
Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart noted that there may be some funds leftover from the last pump station upgrade that could be applied to the cost.
Selectmen Chairman Russell Fox asked about the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system which was discussed last year as part of the pump station upgrade.
“The SCADA system was on my wish list but it didn’t make the cut,” said Brown, adding that he hoped to request it next year.
Selectwoman Tracy Cesan said she thought the SCADA software had been purchased.
“I think we have an appropriation for SCADA, but we have to fix the stations first,” said Stinehart.
Under the highway division, Brown said the priorities included three culvert replacements at a cost of approximately $7,000.
“The design is done and has been sitting on a shelf and we have more culverts that are failing,” said Brown.
He said the funds would be split among the three culverts.
Brown also said he requested $50,000 for road paving, which is on par with previous years.
Fox said he wanted to have another discussion next month.
“I want to have a work session in January or early February before we go into the budget season and look at some bonding options for roads,” Fox said.
The board and finance committee will hold budget sessions with every department in February.
