Published in the March 27, 2018 edition
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD – The Board of Selectmen last night approved DPW Director Richard Stinson’s proposed FY 2019 budget in the amount of $5,712,218. The amount reflects an increase of $245,907 (4.4 percent).
Stinson noted that for FY 2019, funding for some programs that were previously funded through separate Town Meeting articles or capital requests have been moved into the operating budget. Those additions were not included in calculating the percent increase.
Items transferred to the operating budget from Capital Outlay and warrant articles include the annual $100,000 for NPDES storm water management; $40,000 for painting; $100,000 for HVAC improvements; roof repairs ($100,000); building security $35,000; and drainage work ($75,000).
Stinson noted that the operating budget included a $107,147 increase in personal services, primarily due to negotiated contractual salary increases. He also noted that an additional $10,000 had been placed in the budget to pay for police details due to the number of construction projects that the town anticipates undertaking next year.
Stinson also itemized some areas of the budget that have been increased. Those line items include Fleet Maintenance ($7,000); Building Maintenance ($21,500); Equipment Rental ($15,000); Fencing ($2,000); Goose Management ($2,000); Professional Services ($6,500); Street Sweeping ($3,000); and Training ($3,800).
Catch Basin Cleaning was decreased by $3,000) and the income received from the rental of Common Street properties was reduced from $15,000 to zero.
The materials and supplies budget was increased $36,829, including vehicle fuel ($9,429); Fleet Maintenance ($7,000); Buildings ($5,500); Sidewalk repair ($3,000); and traffic signs ($5,000).
Selectman Ann Santos said that she had spent time with Stinson going over the budget line by line and was satisfied that everything in the budget was needed.
The board’s vote to approve the DPW operating budget was unanimous.
The selectmen voted to fund the FY 2019 Snow and Ice budget at $800,000, an increase of $50,000 over the current year’s original budgeted amount.
Stinson presented the Sewer Division budget, noting that it is supported through revenue from local sewer rates.
He said that the increase in the MWRA sewer assessment to the town for FY 2019 was estimated at $218,662, with the total assessment expected to be $6,340,929. With the MWRA increase, Stinson said that the Sewer budget was up 4 percent. Without the MWRA increase, it would be up 1.3 percent.
Stinson said that the FY 2019 water budget would be increasing by an estimated $66,492, to a total of $5,008,316. He said that the anticipated MWRA water assessment to the town was actually down for next year by $32,113.
The selectmen voted to approve the Water and Sewer budget requests.
Moving to public works-related Town Meeting articles, Stinson presented the annual article funded at $1 to allow the town to take by eminent domain properties needed to make infrastructure improvements. Stinson noted that the town seldom finds itself in a position where it has to use these provisions. The board approved the article
The selectmen approved the Refuse and Recycling budget at $1,798,000. Board member Edward Dombroski asked about the possibility of adding weekly recycling. Stinson said that doing so would add another $297,000 to the budget.
Selectman Tony Longo asked about creating a central recycling drop-off center where people could bring excess materials in between curbside pickups. Stinson said that would cost at least another $100,000 and require additional permitting from DEP.
Stinson requested an additional $500,000 for roadway improvements to supplement the Chapter 90 funds that the town gets from the state. For a number of years, the town has been adding $200,000 for roadway improvements. Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio said that he was not comfortable with the amount of the increase and recommended $350,000. After some discussion, the board voted to approve $350,000.
Stinson requested $100,000 for new sidewalks, primarily in school areas and other heavily-traveled areas. Maio recommended lowering the amount to $50,000. Dombroski wondered if the schools could pick up the cost of new sidewalks in school zones. Selectman Mehreen Butt supported the higher amount, but ultimately members settled on a compromise of $75,000 proposed by board member Peter May.
Another Town Meeting article requesting $125,000 to upgrade the DPW’s radio system was approved by the board.
The selectmen also approved a warrant article that would authorize the town to borrow $4,085,000 to clean and structurally line water mains at various locations around town. Some of the money will be in the form of a 10-year, no interest bond from the MWRA.
Finally, the board approved another Snow and Ice Overdraft of $300,000. Stinson said that the recent storms had already wiped out the last overdraft. He explained that if the new overdraft is not needed, it will not impact next year’s tax rate.
Also present for last night’s budget presentation were DPW Business and Operations Manager Carol Antonelli, Town Engineer Michael Collins, Buildings Manager Christopher Pierce and Storm Water Manager Claire Moss.
Stinson will also present his budget request at Thursday’s Finance Committee meeting. The budget will go before Town Meeting on April 30.