Gardner DPW Director Dane Arnold gave a complete update to the Public Service Committee. Listen on any device. CLICK PLAY.
DPW Director Dane Arnold Updates City on Paving, Projects, Equipment, and Staffing
Director Arnold stated “2024 Paving is Done” and spoke about various streets. The spring list is being compiled. Initial planning will include $273,000 which was recently approved by the City Council and whatever Chapter 90 funds come in from the State. The City is applying for grant money to fund the paving of streets which intersect the new Uptown Rotary and need paving.
Dane Arnold spoke about a rather large need coming up. “We are going to be going up to bid for the leachate pump station, which is located down in the sanitary landfill down off of West Street. That pump station takes flow from the sanitary landfill and the sludge landfill. That has been designed, and we’re ready to go up to bid. I believe it’s vintage 1980 pump station. It’s on the brink, so we’re going to go up to bid. We’re estimating it’s going to be around $800,000. So I’m going to be going to the council to ask for not only the construction costs, but also a company to oversee the construction of the project itself. So they’ll be asking the council that probably within the next month.”
Other DPW needs include funds to replace aging equipment. Current annual repair costs are high. Director Arnold detailed various pieces of equipment which he has eyed for future replacement when funds are available.
Staffing Considerations
Overtime is frozen right now except for emergencies. “So we are filling some vacancies. The union just updated their contract. Both unions, they have signed an understanding and an agreement. We are starting to fill some vacancies. I believe I’m down five employees right now on the city side, which includes two mechanics. We are starting to fill the equipment. However, I’m going to stop filling. I’ll hire a mechanic, but I’m going to stop hiring any additional staff because the contract is going to cost the city quite a bit of money. And I don’t want to have to be facing layoffs at the end of the year. I’ve frozen overtime. So we’re not doing overtime unless there’s an emergency or we have to do certain things. Like we have to go put up wreaths. So it’s easier to do when there’s no traffic. So we do that at night.”