WESTFIELD – Internet Technology Manager Lenore Bernashe presented a fiscal year 2019 budget of $1,128,227 to the Finance sub-committee at Wednesday’s meeting, a decrease of $29,981 over FY18.
Internet Technology manager Lenore Bernashe as Finance sub-committee meeting on Wednesday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Bernashe said she has had a significant decrease in personnel in her office this year. One technician retired, and a database administrator resigned. A communications specialist moved, and another one retired.
Bernashe said they have decided not to fill the data administrator’s position at this time. Another database administrator whose role is 100% to support Westfield Public Schools will be listed under the district’s budget in FY19.
“Do you have the number of how much we sent over to the school district,” asked Ward 2 Councilor Ralph J. Figy. Mayor Brian P. Sullivan answered that the cost is $112,000, reflected in the district budget this year.
Bernashe said they also had a full-time clerical support position leave at the start of 2018 whose position was filled with a part-time person.
City Council president John J. Beltrandi, III asked with all of the cuts in personnel, how Bernashe was able to function.
Giving “kudos” to the staff, Bernashe said “with a lot of reassignments.” She said they are attempting “to work smarter, not harder,” although she said there’s still a lot of extra work and extra hours, and they are feeling the strain. She said since July 1, they have received almost 5,000 work orders, on average 500 per month.
Bernashe said the staff is still doing all of the tech support, but not the system support on MUNIS, the software that runs the city. She said they paid for tech support with the license renewal. “We don’t have the day to day knowledge on how that works. We keep the system up and running,” she said.
Finance sub-committee chair Daniel Allie asked whether in the past, they would have been doing that support. “That was the data administrator’s job,” Bernashe said.
At-large Councilor Matthew Emmershy noted that under Purchase of Services (POS) in the budget lists copiers, printers, and maintenance. “Are you handling the maintenance on all the copiers,” he asked.
Bernashe said she handles the copier leases and maintenance charges for 75% of the copiers on the city side. She said several departments, including the Building Department, Animal Control and the Police Department own their copiers out right. “Maybe ten copiers are not leased through our department,” she said.
“Wouldn’t it make sense for all those departments to sell those copiers and go to you,” asked Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise. Bernashe said for some departments that already own them, it makes sense to keep them.
Building inspector Carissa Lisee talks business with Finance on Wednesday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Superintendent of Buildings Carissa Lisee then presented her budget of $191,150.
“This obviously just covers you and your assistant,” commented Surprise, and asked whether it also covers the electrical inspector. Lisee said the budget covers the building, plumbing and electrical inspectors.
Allie noted that last year, Lisee reviewed the fees being charged and increased some of the fees.
“We did increase our permit fees. Our income with regards to permit fees exceeds our operating budget. We’re pretty self-sustaining,” Lisee said. She said they did not have too many complaints with regards to the increases, which she called “reasonable and fair.”
Lisee said the revenue increase from fees was 15 to 20% on average. However, overall they took in less money from fees last year (FY18), of $199,000, compared to $381,000 in FY17. She said it depends on the projects.
“So far, there are a good number of projects coming in. With the solar farm coming in, there will be a $16,000 permit fee,” Lisee said.
Lisee also said she tries not to ticket contractors with regards to fines on code violations. “I prefer to work with my contractors, for better working relationships. The Law Department and I have a pretty good handle on violations,” she said.
“If you had more staff, you could inspect more,” said Suprirse.
“I would love to have more staff,” Lisee said.
