City Council - Finance Committee

CITY OF EASTHAMPTON OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL Easthampton Municipal Building 50 Payson Ave., Ste. 100 Easthampton, Massachusetts 01027-2260 Telephone #: (413) 529-1460 Fax #: (413) 529-1417 Finance Committee meeting 5-11-2020 Chair – Dan Rist Members –Bill Lynch (Clerk) – Peg Conniff Councilor Rist called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm through Zoom application Minutes: A Motion was made by councilor Lynch, second by councilor Conniff to approve the Minutes for meeting on 4-22-2020 – Pass 3-0 Mayor Update – None Public communications – None New Business – Interdepartmental Transfer $3,000 to supplement FY 202 Central Purchasing Postage. The reason is because of the increase in postage due to COVID and the mail in ballots for the voting. Also, direct deposit slips that normally are put into mailboxes are being mailed to the homes of the employees. The Mayor said she will try and capture some of this in the reimbursement on COVID. Councilor Conniff made the motion to approve, Councilor Lynch second and it passed 3-0 Supplemental Appropriation $140,000 from retained earnings for WWTP outfall pipe root removal. The reason is that the inspection that was happening could not happen due to the roots growing into the pipes. The roots search for the water and once we took the pipe out of service the roots continue to grow inside looking for the water. This will clear the roots from the treatment plant all the way to route 5. Councilor Conniff made the motion to approve, Councilor Lynch second the motion and it passed 3-0. Budget concersation – Public Works – there was review on the commentary of the Public Works and what has happened and what the objectives are for the new year. The conversation started with Public Works Admin – There was discussion around the pay plan increases. The interim Director Greg Nuttelman answered some questions from the councilors. Fuel was reviewed and there was no line questions for the fuel. Enginerring was reviewed and there was questions around education and training Prof services and tech, Tools and supplies. There was requests that tools needed to be increased so that the engineers can have equipment on multiple sites. Highway was reviewed, Salary was brought up as an increase due to Pay plan, Bituminous concrete went up and it is for asphalt for the roads. Rentals was brought up due to the increase and it went up due to the projection of the rental possibilities in the coming year. Also, building and supplies, Vehicle repair and dues and membership was addressed. Dues and member ship came back from Personal and into the department. Snow Emergency was reviewed and there was no questions as this line needs to stay the same year on year due to being the only line to deficit spend. Street lights was revied and the question was brought up why it would go down and it was brought up that the newer lights are more energy efficient. There was a question that was brought up around the line and description, it looks that there is a charge for usage as opposed to equipment. More information is requested to clear that up. Motor Repari was reviewed and Salary was questioned due to the retirement of an associate. There was no further questions on Motor repair Traffic was reviewed and there was no questions. Recycling and Hazardous Waste and trash was reviewed and the discussion was brought up that the School had free removal prior to LY and now we have to pay 16K for the school removal. Landfill was reviewed and this is standard for the testing of the land and gasses emitted. Cemetry was reviewed and there was no questions around the department. Tree warden was reviewed and John Mason explained how the Tree warden George Melega will go out at all hours of the day and help the city out whenever we are in need. Enterprise was next – Commentary was reviewed and there was comments that we need to stay close to what we did last year and we can stay in line with what we have. Sewer was reviewed and Greg commented that we try to keep it proactive and fix the issues before they become large problems. The payroll line was reviewed and it was said that it was Payplan agreements. Equipment rental was brought up and it was said that it was not nessary due to purchasing mowers etc. Misc Prof Services was brought up and the increase was 20k and there was not a real reason. Tires, tubes and chains doubled and it was not needed in previous years. Curb iron castings was doubled as well and Greg said we have a supply in house currently but that could go. Waste Water was reviewed and Payroll was reviewed and it was mentioned the increase was from Pay plan increase. Misc prof services was reviewed and that is engineers and police details etc that are needed for jobs. Lab supplies was reviewed and Greg said he needed to review with Carl. Councilor Lynch recalled that LY was one time equipment needed and it should not needed to be as high. Travel and meals was reviewed and it was noted that dues and membership seems to be included into the same line instead of separating. Reserve fund was reviewed and there was no questions. Water was reviewed and the payroll was increased due to payroll. The postage line was addressed and it was due to mailers sent out and is in line with previous years. Pipes and fittings was brough up and previous years has not hit 20K and the request is 30K. The comment was made that there is a lot of inventory on pipes. Meter parts was also mentioned and there was conversation around the new meters being appropriated and the old ones have been replaced. We are seeing the replacement and they are also needing to be replaced so the line went up for that. Hydrants and parts went up and there are some that we can not get now. Dues and memberships went up and that was because it went to personal. Culture and Recreation – There was no one on from the Library and Dan wanted to reach out to the them to make sure they are present to discuss. This was continued until Thursday to allow them to attend the meeting. Parks and Rec was reviewed. Recreation was reviewed and Payroll was mentioned and that was increased by pay plan increases. On the budget the last three line was mixed and Recreational, in state travel and longevity was mixed. The line will be fixed and match up appropriately. Parks was reviewed there was discussion around the COVID concerns and due to the lack of camps and pool opening etc was reasoning as to why they cut in certain areas. Staffing was going to be down due to not needing them for the operations of the park. Continuing Business – Salaries and Stipends – Continued Proposal of MGL Chapeter 44B - Continued Councilor Conniff made a motion to adjourn second by Councilor Lynch and it passed 3-0 Next meeting 5-14 at 5:30 pm Submitted by, Bill Lynch