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DPW reports deepening budget gaps, delayed equipment repairs and staffing shortages
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Summary
Gardner City DPW Director Arnold told the Public Service Committee the department faces budget shortfalls (overtime ~$17,000 over, snow & ice fund negative $811,000, equipment repairs negative $67,000), is down six staff, and will delay a $30,000 catch-basin-boom repair until after July 1 while prioritizing critical work.
Department of Public Works Director Arnold told the Public Service Committee April 16 that the DPW is operating under significant budgetary strain and must triage repairs and staffing.
Arnold said the department’s overtime budget is about $17,000 over and the snow-and-ice account is roughly $811,000 in the red; equipment repairs are negative about $67,000. He said the department has been operating with level-funded lines for years while costs for parts and contracts have risen and the DPW is currently short six positions on the city side.
As an example of deferred work, Arnold said a catch-basin-cleaner’s boom needs about $30,000 in repairs; he intends to “park” that equipment and defer catch-basin cleaning until after July 1 rather than perform the repair now. He also listed immediate capital needs in the water system (filter replacement, computer-system upgrades, well redevelopment) and noted the DPW has requested funds in the capital-improvement plan and is working with the mayor on budget options.
Arnold said the city must also remove two underground storage tanks at the DPW garage to meet a DEP mandate now that the tanks have been out of use for the five-year limit; that removal has been included in the capital program. He described sewer relining work ($~200,000 of sewer mains to be televised and prioritized downtown) and an ongoing lead-service inventory with about 600 homes left to inspect.
Committee members pressed on the operational implications of deferring equipment repairs and on whether paving and line-painting schedules could be adjusted; Arnold said line painting has been deferred in part because contract costs nearly doubled and the city has been pacing paving work every other year. He said the mayor is aware of the department’s budget position and staff are preparing materials for the May budget meetings.
