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DPW details Chapter 90 paving, trash contract rebid and fleet replacement plans
Summary
DPW Director Chris Signoli said the city received just over $5 million in Chapter 90 funds and will run a 6.5 paving program, is re‑bidding trash/recycling contracts with projected savings of about $500,000, and plans fleet and sidewalk investments as winter draws to a close.
DPW Director Chris Signoli reported that Springfield received a little over $5,000,000 in Chapter 90 funding and that the city will run a 6.5 paving program for the year, adding several arterial streets to the bid list. He said the department is re‑advertising trash and recycling contracts and expects savings of at least $500,000 based on preliminary bids.
Signoli also outlined enterprise and general fund budgets: the enterprise (trash/recycling) request reflects a larger share of cost, while the general fund sought about a 1.3% increase that covered contractual raises and targeted line items. He said the city is exploring indoor vehicle storage and has $1,000,000 unspent from winter to deploy on equipment and passenger vehicles in the coming weeks.
The director addressed solid‑waste operational pressures — workman’s comp increases, vacancies and winter overtime — and said April 7 will restart yard‑waste collection. He described partnership grants and federal/state projects (bridge replacements, TIP projects and Safe Routes to School) that will add safety and sidewalk improvements, including a planned ~$16,000,000 federal roadway safety package expected next summer.
Councilors asked about privatization; Signoli and the mayor said the city’s single‑stream, free curbside services remain comparatively inexpensive and that privatization could yield short‑term savings but carry tradeoffs for service and cost over time.
