Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Works Engineering topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Engineering budget declines slightly; staff to add field iPads and replace aging copy machine
Summary
Engineering staff reported a 1.6% budget decrease and listed capital items including a replacement copy machine and two iPads for field staff; the devices will be configured for town network access and likely cellular service.
Jonathan Gearhart presented the engineering budget and said it fell about 1.6% from the prior year. He told the council that personnel costs are set by the finance office and that most operating spending covers office supplies and mailing services.
Capital items include replacing a decade‑old copy machine (purchase year cited as 2013 or 2014) and buying two iPads for field staff so engineers have digital access to plans and maps rather than paper copies. Jonathan said the devices will be configured and secured by IT, will have Wi‑Fi access in town hall and will likely be cellular‑enabled so staff can access files in the field. He noted additional memory and preloading of server documents to reduce printing and copying needs.
Councilors also asked about sewer and wastewater planning. Jonathan summarized two ongoing studies: a Municipal Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) grant project to assess developable town‑owned properties and a 20‑year wastewater facilities plan being prepared by a consultant and due in September. He said the MTAP initial report identifies vacant properties for potential development and a workshop is scheduled in coming weeks; the consultant will finish remaining impact analysis in three to four months.
Ending: The engineering office said it will move forward on planned capital replacements and field technology purchases and will return with results from the MTAP work and the wastewater facilities plan when consultant reports are complete.
