Board of Public Works

Board of Public Works Minutes January 6, 2021 - 5:00 PM Remote meeting Board Members Present: Thomas Malsbury, Austin Sanders Director of Public Works Present: Greg Nuttleman Board Clerk Present: None (Thomas Malsbury Recording) Public Present: None________________________________________________ Virtual Open Meeting Language: Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. chapter. 30A, subsection 18, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Easthampton Board of Public Works will be conducted via remote participation ______________________________________________________________ Roll Call Attendance Chair Thomas Malsbury: Present Member Austin Sanders: Present Member David Fagnand: Absent Meeting was called to order at __5:05__ p.m. by: Thomas Malsbury. Seconded by: Austin Sanders Thomas Malsbury vote: yes Austin Sanders vote: yes David Fagnand vote: N/A in favor __ 2 _Motion carries. 1. Public Speak: NONE 2. Mayor Speak: Not present for meeting. 3. Approval of the December 16, 2020 Meeting Minutes Motion to approve December 16, 2020 minutes was made by: Thomas Malsbury. Seconded by: Austin Sanders Thomas Malsbury vote: yes Austin Sanders vote: yes David Fagnand vote: N/A in favor __ 2 _ Motion carries. 4. Preliminary Discussion of DPW FY22 Budget and Rate Review • Status of FY22 Budget Preparation / Timeline for Submittal (Feb 1st) • Potential for another 1-year budget / rate review. • Feel the need to wait for a long term multiyear DPW Capital Plan with associated Enterprise Funds and Rate Structure • Not comfortable proceeding with long term commitments without full public hearings and participation in potential new models of revenue collection • Plan to reach out to Treasurer and Billing Dept to get a midyear update on current usage, billing, and enterprise reserves to see how they match up with the projections from June when we set rates to close the shortfall. • Hopefully increased domestic usage and FY21 rates will hold reserves for FY22 given the Mayor’s Request to reduce department budgets 2.5% for the coming year. • Still need to maintain reserves to cover any emergency work outside of budget due to planned reduction in capital budget. • Will carry the FY22 discussion as a standing agenda item until resolved. 5. Director’s Report • Response to recent small storms - DPW crews did great. • Funds for Highway Department Roller & Nonotuck Well approved • Looking to develop benchmark for full time return to work for DPW crews- needs to talk to mayor. • No applicants for open positions in highway or water departments • We will post job announcement for highway transfer when finalized. Motion to adjourn the meeting at __5:18_ p.m. by: Thomas Malsbury. Seconded by:_ Austin Sanders Thomas Malsbury vote: yes Austin Sanders vote: yes David Fagnand vote: N/A in favor __ 2 _ Motion carries. Next meeting Date: _January 20, 2021_________