Board of Public Works

Minutes of the Board of Public Works Budget Workshop of March 19, 2013 The Board of Public Works held a Budget Workshop on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. at the Division of Public Works, Administration and Engineering offices, 9 Riverside Street, Nashua, NH 03062. Members Present Mayor Lozeau, Chairman Lisa Fauteux, Director Tim Lavoie, Vice Chairman Steve Dookran, P.E., City Engineer Dan Gagnon, Commissioner Mario Leclerc, Superintendent, WWTF Kevin Moriarty, Commissioner Nick Caggiano, Superintendent, Parks & Recreation Roy Sorenson, Superintendent, Streets Jeff Lafleur, Superintendent, Solid Waste Carolyn O’Connor, Finance & Admin. Mgr. Via Phone-Conference Tracy Pappas, Commissioner The Commissioners were provided draft FY14 budget documents which included the current FY13 original budget and actual expenditures through the end of February. Director Fauteux advised the Commissioners each Superintendent would provide the overview of their departmental budget. Superintendent Leclerc reviewed the Wastewater Department budget noting the areas of significant changes. There was a discussion on the increase in revenue for Sewer User Charges. Carolyn O’Connor Finance & Administration Manager informed the Commissioners it is anticipated that there will be a 15 percent rate increase for residential and commercial sewer user fees and this is reflected in the draft budget request. The CFO is completing a review of the Wastewater Rate Study which should be presented to the Commissioners at their April meeting. Commissioner Moriarty inquired as to how many temporary seasonal employees are hired as part of Wastewater operations. Superintendent Leclerc detailed the seven temporary positions which include lab assistant, two laborers for the facility, two laborers for the collection system and two engineer interns. Electricity draft budget is higher due to the anticipated rebuild to be done on the co-gen generator. The rebuild could require the generator to be down for up to six weeks. Superintendent Leclerc discussed the need to increase the chemical budget to allow for chemical needed to address the foaming issue. The Wastewater Department draft FY14 budget request represents a 2.78% reduction from FY13. The next department to present a review of its FY14 draft budget request was the Street Department. Superintendent Sorenson discussed there are few changes to the budget. Within salaries and wages the increase in full-time wages is directly related to the contractual obligations. There is a $100,000 increase to overtime as part of the work to be done on the sidewalk project. Superintendent Sorenson highlighted the increase to the Signing & Striping budget which is required to complete the crosswalks with thermoplastic. The asphalt line has 1 been reduced so as to not negatively impact the budget, however this will mean reduction in the mill and fill program. Mayor Lozeau would like to revisit this reduction as the program has been quite successful in repairing pothole issues throughout the city. Engineer Dookran presented the Admin/Engineering draft FY14 budget which too included increases in salary due to contractual obligations. Additional adjustment to the Admin/Engineering full-time wages was 80% of the Operations Managers salary will now be included in the Department’s budget. The 80% had previously been allocated to Park & Recreation 40% and Street 40%. The remaining 20% is broken out evenly between the two enterprise funds as it was originally done. Mileage reimbursements has been increased and fixed rate mileage decreased. This is a result of the change to the Union contracts for the inspectors which now provided mileage reimbursement rather than a stipend. The net result is a reduction of $1,862. Superintendent Caggiano presented the Park & Recreation Department FY14 draft budget request. He also highlighted the changes to Salaries and Wages that are the result of contractual obligations and the elimination of the departmental Operations Manager. Commissioner Pappas inquired why under Professional and Technical Services nothing had been spent to date yet he is once again requesting a $7,000 budget. Superintendent Caggiano explained that these funds are needed for the stadium inspections which are not completed until the spring. It is anticipated the $7,000 will be fully expended. Superintendent Caggiano stated that he has included a $500 increase for the Senior Outing in the hopes of having it held at a hotel complex again this year. The seniors were very happy with last year’s event with the change in venue. The draft FY14 general fund operating budget for the Division represents a 1.3% increase from FY13. Superintendent Lafleur presented the draft FY14 Budget request for the Solid Waste Department. There were no major changes to the operating budget. The department had made an adjustment to diesel fuel for FY13 cutting the budget in half due to the new CNG vehicles. Superintendent Lafleur discussed that the diesel fuel budget is required due to the various diesel fuel equipment at the landfill. The capital outlay budget includes $150,000 for continued construction of the soil wall and $100,000 for the required gas collection. The draft FY14 Solid Waste Department budget request represents a 0.85% increase from FY13. The Board agreed to review the draft budget and advise the Director if they felt an additional budget workshop was warranted prior to approval at their regularly scheduled April meeting. Mayor Lozeau also informed the Board that she did not anticipate making changes however, additional changes to the budget may be required. 2