Board of Public Works

Board of Public Works Minutes February 3, 2021 - 5:00 PM Remote meeting Board Members Present: Thomas Malsbury, David Fagnand, Austin Sanders Director of Public Works Present: Greg Nuttleman Board Clerk Present: Michelle Oliveira Public Present: ________________________________________________ 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 Roll call taken by : Michelle Oliveira. Chair Thomas Malsbury: Present Member Austin Sanders: Present Member David Fagnand: Present Meeting was called to order at __5:00__ p.m. by: Thomas Malsbury. Seconded by: Austin Sanders . Roll call taken by : Michelle Oliveira. Thomas Malsbury vote: yes Austin Sanders vote: yes David Fagnand vote: yes. in favor __ all _ Motion carries 1. Public Speak: NONE 2. Mayor Speak: Not present for meeting. 3. Approval of the January 6, 2021 Meeting Minutes Motion to approve January 6, 2021 minutes was made by: Thomas Malsbury. Seconded by: Austin Sanders Roll call taken by : Michelle Oliveira. Thomas Malsbury vote: yes Austin Sanders vote: yes David Fagnand vote: in favor _2_ _ Motion carries. 4. Trail Work on Water Div. Property on Hendrick Street - CPA Funding & Grant for Microburst Cleanup There is a grant to clean up from the microburst that came through and left debris on some bike trails behind the Water Dept. Greg would like to see possibly a couple of designated parking spaces outside of the Water dept’s gated area. Something that could be monitored by the Police. Greg will ask Jeff Bagg to come to one of the Board meetings to explain in more detail what the project entails. 5. Electric Vehicle Chargers - DPW Responsibility & Future Rate Setting Planning dept has brought in changing stations here in the City. The DPW will take over responsibility of billing and payments for the stations and the setting of rates. Right now, Planning dept. is getting together information from Eversource on what the rates should look like for the City. They will then bring it to the Board to be discussed and set rates. 6. Continued Discussion of FY22 DPW Budget and Rate Review . Emailed with the DPW billing, City Auditor, and Tighe & Bond . Received the FY20 actuals and the half year FY21 actuals through December for analysis. . Billed usage closed out FY20 with a 2.5% increase over FY19 usage. Billed usage to date for FY21 projects at least a 3% increase over FY20 . Model used to set rates assumed a continuation of the -2% historic reduction in usage. Given the late FY20 and early FY21 increased usage rates may hold through another one-year cycle given the requested 2.5% department budget reduction. . Tighe & Bond is ready to assist with an analysis of Retain Earning Projections based on the FY19-FY21 into FY22 once Greg and the Mayor finalize the FY22 capital budget 7. Director’s Report . Snow mostly removed and will continue over the next few days . Honeywell is going through the city to at what needs to be upgraded for a more efficient energy use. . Outfall pipe separated. It had been repaired and the washout has also been repaired.  . The Outfall pipe from River street -91 over pass section is in bad shape. It has about 6 culverts that need repair and could pose a threat with damaging the Outfall pipe. . Cherry street CBG funding. Bid documents need to be in by May. Grant funds will replace water main and sewer lines. . No applicants for any of the DPW jobs posted. . Union negotiations are under way hopefully soon everyone will come to an agreement. 8. Selection of Chairperson for the 2021 Board of Public Works Term per MA General Law - Part I, Title VII, Chapter 41, Section 69D Motion to select Thomas Malsbury as Chairperson was made by: David Fagnand Seconded by: Austin Sanders Roll call taken by : Michelle Oliveira. Thomas Malsbury vote: yes Austin Sanders vote: yes David Fagnand vote: yes in favor _all_ _ Motion carries. Motion to adjourn the meeting at __ 5:25 _ p.m. by: Thomas Malsbury Seconded by: Austin Sanders_ Thomas Malsbury vote: yes Austin Sanders vote: yes David Fagnand vote: yes. in favor all Motion carries Next meeting Date: _February 17, 2021_________