Councilors Andrew K. Surprise and Matthew Emmershy at Finance committee budget review Tuesday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise chaired the Finance Committee review of the Department of Public Works and Engineering on Tuesday in At-large Councilor Dan Allie’s absence, with At-large Councilor Matthew Emmershy taking notes.
DPW Director David Billips, Secretary Joanna Williams and Assistant Director Francis Cain answered questions for an hour and a half that were mostly focused on equipment, purchase of services and overtime for the many divisions under their purview, including water, sewer, highway, snow and ice, trash collection and solid waste recycling.
Surprise asked about the top expenditure in the water department budget of more than $6 million, which Billips said was personnel. “Those numbers are all contractual; self-insurance, retirement, social security,” he said of the department of 25 employees. In response to another question from Surprise, Billips said they do have an OPEB (Other Post Employees Benefits) line item in the budget.
Emmershy asked whether they anticipated adding more staff for the projects on Wells 1, 2, 7, 8. Billips said they added an operator last year in anticipation of that work.
Other big ticket items include utilities such as Westfield Gas and Electric, Comcast, which provides the fiber connection between Westfield and Southwick for the Southwick plant, and Eversource, which also connects to Southwick and to whom the city pays rent on the turbine In that plant.
Emmershy asked about the $100,000 reduction in the construction account, which Billips said went down to balance the budget.
Surprise asked about payment to state police to patrol the Granville reservoir. Cain said the city also uses firemen and police, and sometimes environmental police if there have been problems.
Emmershy asked if there is any upcoming equipment for the department. “We’re in pretty good shape there,” Billips said. Cain said they have ten pickup trucks. Surprise asked what they do when they retire the trucks. Cain said they currently use a government online auction website, and were able to get rid of seven highway vehicles. “It’s amazing what some people will buy,” Billips said.
Surprise asked whether the city’s remote control mower was operative, saying he heard that it was damaged, and Emmershy saying he heard it was rolled. “Where do you hear this stuff. It was operative today,” responded Cain. He said the machine rolled over three years ago. “We’ve saved money on contractors with that machine,” he added.
In the sewer department, Surprise asked whether police details were used only on major thoroughfares, or also on side streets.
“Mostly major (roads) or side connectors; we work with the police department on that,” Billips responded.
Emmershy asked about an increase in the purchase of services line item, and whether they are anticipating more failures or upgrades. “The sewers are old. We’d like to get our own camera to save us money,” Billips said, adding that they are looking at a truck with cameras that cost $200,000. He said sometimes it’s easier and cheaper to contract it out.
DPW Assistant Director Francis Cain, Director David Billips and Secretary Joanna Williams answer question during the budget review. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Billips said most of the downtown sewer system has been on camera. He said a few years ago they looked at the direction of all the sewers, mapped them out and compared them to old maps. He said they found a few inconsistencies. “We didn’t camera the whole city,” Billips said.
In the wastewater department, Billips said the budget had been reduced. “The Mayor made some pretty deep cuts, and said there wasn’t enough money to do what we wanted to do,” he said, adding that commercial revenues were down considerably, although projections are showing that they are going up.
“We don’t have any vehicles budgeted this year, maybe one small one,” Billips said about that department. Emmershy said Billips had mentioned in an earlier conversation that the odor control machine was “getting tired.”
“It’s pretty much shot. We’ve been holding it together the last couple of years,” Billips said, adding that a replacement will cost $650,000. He said they would probably bond for that purchase, and take money out of building or capital expenditures.
“The odor control machine worked well when it worked. Westfield was one of the first to have one,” Billips added.
In storm water, Billips was asked about any anticipated vehicle purchases. He said they are looking for a rolloff dumpster to empty street sweepings. “The city should really have one of those,” he said. He also said they asked for $300,000 in the budget, which was cut to $200,000.
In the construction budget, Emmershy asked whether they were going to be adding storm water or repairing lines. Billips said they work in conjunction with the engineers or paving. “It could be repairs, could be replacement,” he said. Some of the work will be on Old Montgomery, Western Circle, and Russellville. “Western Circle is probably a critical repair,” Billips said.
In public works administration, Surprise asked where the $500,000 from the Meals Tax was listed. Billips said the funds go into the general fund from the state. “I don’t manage that,” he said.
Billips said streets on the list for painting include Main Street by Noble Street, Court Street near Washington and West Silver. He also said instead of buying a chip box, they bought a truck that could plow and utilize as a chip truck.
“The fleet was pretty dilapidated a few years ago,” Billips said, adding, “The guys have done a really good job of keeping them running and going.” He said the first thing they will need is a sweeper.
“We’re getting to that point. They didn’t buy trash trucks for 10 years. A trash truck has life expectancy of 7 years,” Billips said.
Surprise said he had a question for them from At-large Councilor Nicholas J. Morganelli, Jr. about salting the roads when the weather was too warm.
Cain said they are judgement calls. “We get the people in when they can do it. I don’t have the number for pre-treatment applications. Those two times he referenced were judgement calls. Pre-treatment is just that- you have to get out there before it comes down,” Cain said, adding, “That’s something to look into – you try to improve each time, each season.”
“It’s a difficult decision – we probably had the guys out there 14 or 15 times this year. I will often say I don’t know why they think it’s going to snow, and sometimes I’m right,” Billips added.
In waste collection, Billips said over the last few years, they’ve been trying to get the fleet up to par. “We have bought some, and rented some, then ended up purchasing them,” he said.
Emmershy asked about a line item for bulk pickup to replace the 550 truck. “Does that mean you’re going to start bulk pick up again,” he asked.
“We’d rather not, but that’s somebody else’s decision,” Billips said.
Matt said the line item calls for a lease payment on the truck for $35,000. Cain said it was financing for the truck. “I would guess it’s a 3-year lease,” Billips said.
Emmershy also asked about the situation in January and February when they fell behind on trash pickup. Billips said they had some truck issues, and some manpower issues
Billips said the department is getting “closer,” after not buying trash trucks for 10 years. He also talked about the three year contract with Holyoke for waste disposal, and the contract with Republic for pickup at city buildings.
In solid waste recycling, Billips said it’s at break even for the city.
“Now that it’s single stream, you’re not paying to get rid of it, or getting money for it,” Cain said.
