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Mayor Keeler gives multi-item city update; paving, hiring and waste-fee increases highlighted
Summary
Mayor Keeler delivered a broad update July 28 covering neighborhood checks and an arrest at 16 Orchard St, senior center A/C repairs and rental costs, an anticipated $130,000 Columbia Street change order, detailed 2026 paving progress, and an immediate jump in garbage tipping fees.
Mayor Keeler delivered a multi-point update to the Common Council on July 28, laying out public-works progress, staffing plans and budget pressures. He said police conducted 11 pro-active checks at 16 Orchard St in early July (one arrest for criminal trespass) and reported that an order of protection went into effect at that address on July 2. Keeler also listed a long set of completed and planned paving projects citywide and noted that a change order of about $130,000 is expected for lower Columbia Street to be covered by CHIPS/STR funding.
Keeler told the council the Senior Center needs a replacement A/C part due Aug. 4; the city rented a temporary 5-ton mobile A/C unit for $5,000 while repairs (estimated $6,000) are completed. He warned of rising disposal costs, saying tipping fees will increase from $25/ton to $60/ton immediately with the possibility of market-rate pricing (around $100+/ton) after Jan. 1, 2027 — a development that will affect future budgeting and contracts. Keeler also reported the Civil Service certification of the police entrance exam and the intent to fill two PD vacancies. Council Member Shawn Higgins thanked staff for maintenance work on the city’s flower beds: "I would just like to Thank Amanda and Kathleen for all of the hard work they have been putting in on the flower beds."
