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Mechanic Falls reports $15,958 workers’ comp savings, ARPA balance and new Sanitary District arrangement
Summary
Town Manager Vic Hodgkins told the council Jan. 8 that the town’s MOD rating fell to 0.80, saving $15,958 on 2024 workers’ compensation, that $89,779.97 in ARPA funds remain (with $69,346 already committed), and that the Sanitary District and Public Works agreed on a $250/hour reimbursement when PW assists sanitary projects.
Town Manager Vic Hodgkins reported several fiscal and operational updates to the Mechanic Falls Town Council at its Jan. 8 meeting.
On workers’ compensation, Hodgkins said the town’s Experience Modification Rate (MOD) has fallen to 0.80. That lower rating reduced the town’s 2024 workers’-compensation bill from an expected $45,408 to $29,450, a year-over-year savings of $15,958.
Hodgkins also reported the town has $89,779.97 remaining in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Of that total, $69,346 has already been committed to projects including a storage tank project, a fuel key system project and the 2023 roads project, leaving an uncommitted balance of $20,433.97. Hodgkins said his goal is to have the ARPA funds committed and spent by the end of 2024.
On infrastructure and storm response, Hodgkins said the town fared relatively well in the December storm but that Brown Road experienced the worst damage, including a washed-out culvert at the town line. The Sanitary District reported three collapsed sewer lines (two on Oak Street and one on First Avenue) and worked with Public Works during the event. Hodgkins said the Sanitary District agreed to reimburse the town $250 per hour any time Public Works is enlisted to assist on sanitary-district projects.
Hodgkins said the Water Department will conduct a Lane Road wood-harvesting operation and that he is coordinating with the forester Greg Seamons and town staff on that activity.
Councilors thanked Public Works, the Sanitary District and first responders for their collaborative response to the storm.
