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 Minutes City Council Finance Committee Meeting, 2/22/2023 Attendees: Finance Committee Members: Councilor Dan Rist, Chair Councilor Tom Peake, Clerk Other Attendees: Mayor Nicole LaChapelle City Treasurer Jessica Hebert (remote) DPW Director Greg Nuttleman City Council President Homar Gomez Meeting was called to order at 5:15 PM. 1) Mayor’s Communication: None 2) Public Speak: None 3) New Business a) $60,000 to purchase water meters: “The Water Division replaces approximately 250 water meters annually. Cost per meter varies based on size and type. A standard resisendial size meter with integrated radio reading capability is approximately $250. On motion made by Councilor Denham and seconded by Councilor Rist, it was voted 2-0 to recommend the appropriation to the full Council. b) $22,500 for grant match funding for MVP Emerald Pl. Slope Stabilization project: For “grant match funding for the MVP Emerald Place Slope Stabilization project”. On motion made by Councilor Denham and seconded by Councilor Peake, it was voted 3-0 to recommend the appropriation to the full Council. c) $78,068.34 for emergency sewer line replacement/relocation (Payson Ave./Union St.): For “funding to coer the cost of an emergency sewer line replacement and relocation between Payson Avenue and Union Street. Pipe from 1897. Approximately 400 feet on Union Street. With the demolition of the Hurry and Scurry building, seemed like the right time to update. On motion made by Councilor Peake and seconded by Councilor Denham, it was voted 3-0 to recommend the appropriation to the full Council.  d) $120,000 for replacement of two trucks in the Highway Division: From capital stabilization. Councilor Rist asked about hybrid/electric, and Director Greg Nuttleman stated that medium-duty trucks that could be outfitted for the needs of the Highway Department were not being developed as hybrids or electrics yet. He also stated that he believed he could get these trucks this spring, in spite of supply chain issues. Mayor Nicole LaChapelle pointed out that in some cases, even purchasing newer fossil fuel vehicles will reduce emissions. Councilor Denham asked to explain what strategies that the DPW took to mitigate salt damage, and Director Nuttleman expanded upon that. On motion made by Councilor Peake and seconded by Councilor Denham, it was voted 3-0 to recommend the appropriation to the full Council. e) $65,000 for disposal of a backlog of street sweepings: disposal is highly regulated, needs to be sampled and meet certain specifications in order to be accepted for a landfill. Director Nuttleman identified a contractor that can deal with it. Approximately 3,500 yards. If accepted, it can be used for landfill capping. Otherwise it costs more to dispose of. On motion made by Councilor Peake and seconded by Councilor Denham, it was voted 3-0 to recommend the appropriation to the full Council. f) $4,701.68 for payment of an invoice for salt from FY ’22 (old bill): Morton Salt had an issue with invoicing, and many municipalities did not receive the bill until this fiscal year. These funds would be moved from Free Cash to FY22 Snow. On motion made by Councilor Peake and seconded by Councilor Denham, it was voted 3-0 to recommend the appropriation to the full Council. g) $100,000 for FY ’23 gas & diesel fuel costs: Fuel prices have been volatile. All city vehicles draw from this account, as does heating oil in buildings that use it. On motion made by Councilor Peake and seconded by Councilor Denham, it was voted 3-0 to recommend the appropriation to the full Council. h) $25,000 to hire a full-time custodian for the Council on Aging & City Hall: There is currently only one custodian, who comes in early in the morning and is gone by 2 PM. There is no coverage for these buildings if that custodian is on vacation. The Council on Aging is receiving more use now. On motion made by Councilor Peake and seconded by Councilor Denham, it was voted 3-0 to recommend the appropriation to the full Council. i) $50,000 for various maintenance needs at 50 Payson Ave. & Public Safety Complex: There have been a number of plumbing repairs as some fixtures have become too old. Johnsonite black plastic coating in fire station to cover concrete that is starting to wear. Purchase of two floor cleaning machines to cover floor cleaning machines at the Council on Aging, and HVAC maintenance related to the Honeywell project. On motion made by Councilor Peake and seconded by Councilor Denham, it was voted 3-0 to recommend the appropriation to the full Council. j) $20,000 to cover electricity & membership costs – EV & Bike Charging Stations: This is an annual transfer of funds. On motion made by Councilor Peake and seconded by Councilor Denham, it was voted 3-0 to recommend the appropriation to the full Council. 4) Continuing Business a) Quarterly fiscal reports from the City Auditor: This was not discussed tonight. On motion made by Councilor Peake and seconded by Councilor Denham, the meeting was adjourned at 5:52 PM Next meeting: 3/8/23