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Board reviews billing outsourcing, water-tap fees, splash pad plumbing and vehicle quotes
Summary
Utility Director Jeff Mitchell proposed outsourcing billing to Quadient to save staff time and roughly $4,000 a year, presented water-tap pricing where current fees lag installation costs, updated the board on splash pad plumbing and shared two vehicle quotes for a utility truck.
Utility Director Jeff Mitchell told the Malden Board of Public Works on March 31 that a proposal from Quadient (Memphis Communications) could outsource printing and mailing of utility bills, potentially saving the city about $4,000 a year and freeing staff time spent on billing processes.
Mitchell said the vendor uploads a billing file and can handle multi-page mailings; Board Secretary Cathy Merritt noted that outsourcing would eliminate the need for the larger postage machine used now and leave a smaller machine for daily mail. The board asked Mitchell to find out whether Quadient offers a 90-day trial and expressed caution about entering another five-year contract and introducing new software for staff to manage.
On rates, Mitchell presented a price list for water tap installations (3/4" to 2") that, he said, shows the city's tap fees are below the actual installation costs. The board requested comparative fee information from surrounding towns before deciding whether to raise tap fees.
Mitchell also updated the board on the splash pad project, saying BPW crews will perform the plumbing, then concrete work will be completed, nozzles will bolt into place and a fence will be installed; he hopes the splash pad will be ready by June. Finally, Mitchell reported two vehicle quotes for the regular annual BPW vehicle purchase: $49,000 from the Chevy dealership and $41,999 from Morelan Dodge; he said he will prepare the purchase for July 1, 2026 in accordance with board policy.
No formal votes or contracts were authorized at the meeting; the board asked staff to return with trial terms, comparative fee data and the procurement plan for the vehicle.
