Southwick Select Board member Doug Moglin. (File Photo)
SOUTHWICK – Although the colors of fall are just unfolding, Southwick’s Department of Public Works Director Randy Brown is thinking ahead to winter.
Brown requested Select Board approval to deficit spend the salt budget in order to make a bulk purchase in preparation for winter.
Select Board Chairman Russell Fox said the town was “lucky” to have a new salt shed large enough to store salt.
“Randy wants to fill it up!” said Fox.
Brown requested $67,000 in deficit spending to purchase salt for the winter.
“This is something we did lat year and we received a good rate,” said Fox.
Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart said a good price isn’t the only reason to deficit spend.
Southwick DPW Director Randy Brown. (File Photo)
“We also want to make sure we have enough,” he said. “If you do it piecemeal, you run the risk of not getting it in time. And we now have a place to store it and keep it dry.”
Select Board members unanimously approved the purchase.
The Board also approved the use of an online calendar app called Burbio. The free service enables users to view municipal calendars.
“They scrape various calendars and can link with your personal calendar,” said Selectman Douglas Moglin.
Moglin researched the service and said it would not cost the town money or staff time.
“There would be no additional work on the part of the town,” he said. “There is no cost to the town or to the users.”
Moglin said Burbio will make money on advertisements.
“And they don’t buy and sell your information,” he added.
The Board agreed to try it with the understanding that the town can back out at any time without penalty.
