0:28A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the Public Works Department’s budget, which proposed an increase of $368,500, or approximately 2% overall. Within this budget, the parks and grounds division requested additional funding to hire two full-time staff members specifically for cemetery maintenance. The need for these positions arose from the challenges of managing the Union and Seaside cemeteries in-house, driven by staffing shortages and the inadequacy of contracted services. The committee deliberated on the necessity of full-time positions for what some perceived as seasonal work, but it was clarified that unpredictable weather and year-round maintenance justified the request. The current labor market further complicated seasonal hiring.

26:09The meeting also shed light on the increasing difficulty of recycling plastics labeled 1 to 7, which are often non-recyclable in practice. The nearly equivalent costs of single-stream plastic recycling and solid waste disposal prompted discussions on the town’s recycling strategy. The committee acknowledged the declining recycling market and suggested that reducing plastic use might be a more viable solution. It was noted that materials such as tin and aluminum still hold some value, while glass disposal incurs costs. The committee stressed the importance of public education to improve recycling practices.

Attention turned to the Water Department’s budget, which exhibited a significant increase due to rising debt service costs from ongoing water projects. Discussions are underway to potentially increase rates to accommodate these budget changes. The committee reviewed projects such as new well constructions and a large filter project, with concerns raised about future water supply adequacy and the long-term sustainability of the town’s water resources. There was a consensus on the need to prioritize water-related budgeting and capital expenditures, as well as educate residents on water conservation practices. The committee is also considering new metering systems for irrigation to better monitor water usage.

43:16The committee also discussed the cemetery department’s request for Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funding to clean headstones. Last year, approximately 135 headstones were cleaned, repaired, and straightened. An annual request for $10,000 to replace water main services was debated, particularly the need to identify potentially hazardous materials in service lines, such as unlined steel or copper.

59:02Various equipment replacement needs were also reviewed, including a 20-year-old John Deere backhoe and a 2007 Chevy C8500 dump truck. Concerns were raised about the availability of parts for aging equipment, leading to frequent breakdowns. The committee discussed the benefits of auctioning off the backhoe and replacing the dump truck, which is essential for winter maintenance. The conversation expanded to include waste management efficiency, with a new arrangement projected to save about $40,000 annually by using a 30-yard container to process solid waste directly.

1:14:56The meeting further addressed the ADA transition plan, with a $250,000 funding request to tackle approximately 390 action items. The committee emphasized setting specific goals to ensure efficient use of funds. Discussions included the Basset House project aimed at improving energy efficiency, and a study to explore enhancing the DPW facility’s space utilization.

1:50:12The ongoing review of the Craw Road intersection project was a point of contention. Despite previous objections, the project continues to advance through design phases. Concerns were voiced about the financial commitments made towards design services and the potential for further expenditures. The committee called for transparency regarding costs and reiterated the importance of community input before final decisions are made.