GREENFIELD — The City Council reduced Mayor William Martin’s Fiscal Year 2019 capital budget by 66 percent after they approved $860,000 in projects this week.
The new total will be used for a number of projects in the city and could change once further discussion on tabled budget items happens next month, though several projects will not see funding.
The amount was reduced from roughly $2.53 million originally requested, according to Finance Director Elizabeth Braccia. There was $244,250 tabled though, she said, which could be added to the total if approved.
The largest project not getting capital funding is the Leyden Woods Pump Station replacement, which would have cost $550,000.
According to Director of Public Works Don Ouellette, the Leyden Woods pump station is one of three that have been scheduled for replacement since last year. One of the replacement projects though, ran into issues, which caused Leyden Woods to be pushed back, Ouellette noted.
Ouellette said that the Leyden Woods pump station has experienced recent failures, including one about 18 months ago that caused sewer discharge to go into nearby wetlands and a brook.
With the project not being funded, it could wait another year, Ouellette said, which risks another failure in the meantime and the cost of replacing the pump station increasing, with Tighe and Bond reporting a 20 percent increase currently in pump station replacements.
Another large reduction came when the council voted down $200,000 for sewer inflow and infiltration improvements in the city. These are needed when water sources, such as groundwater and stormwater, enter into sanitary sewer systems and overwhelm waste water treatment.
Ouellette said that the inflow and infiltration work will continue in spite of the reduction.
The council also removed $100,000 for Scout Road improvements, which Ouellette said would largely be the paving of the roadway. On the road, according to Ouellette, are three to four residences and a Boy Scout camp. The improvements, when eventually completed, could improve emergency access on the road, which can be negatively impacted in heavy rain.
Other items struck from the capital budget were several vehicles, including a mini-excavator for the Department of Public Works and a pickup truck for the sewer division.
The council also reduced requested totals, both from the DPW.
One reduction was for an anaerobic digester study, which was reduced from $80,000 to $60,000. Another was for an $80,000 request for guardrail repairs, which was reduced to $30,000.
According to Councilor Isaac Mass, the number requested for guardrails has fluctuated this year with the $80,000 having “no rationale,” and last year, the request was $30,000. In addition, staff is an issue for the projects.
“The Department of Public Works does not have the staff to put up these guardrails even if we give them the money,” he said during the meeting.
Notable projects approved by the council included $120,000 for the installation of cameras in police cruisers and police station. The approval though, had an amendment made to it regarding body cameras being added to the department at a later date.
Another item approved was $150,000 for the Pickett Lane sewer main, to help connect residents there to the city’s sewer system.
There were two items that were tabled by the council, which are expected to be discussed during their meeting next month.
One item tabled was $195,000 requested for Greenfield Community Energy Technology equipment, which would be used to continue to build out internet access for customers, according to GCET general manager John Lunt at the meeting.
The other item tabled was for $49,250 for building maintenance at Four Corners Discovery School, Braccia said.
You can reach Dan Desrochers at:
ddesrochers@recorder.com
413-772-0261, ext. 257