GREENFIELD — The Department of Public Works’ fiscal year 2024 budget represents few major changes over the current year, with the exception of a new position to manage the demands of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, particularly as two new buildings near completion.
“I believe we have six city-side facilities and five fully active school systems,” Public Works Director Marlo Warner II told councilors at the Ways and Means Committee meeting on Tuesday. “They all have HVAC systems, whether they’re very old … all the way up to the newfangled system in the library, which is quite state-of-the-art. Every time we contact an HVAC tech to come in, you’re talking $300 to $500 just to answer the phones before they even come in.”
Warner, who presented to councilors the breakdown of the proposed $3.2 million DPW budget, said between the old systems and the new ones that will be in place for the new library and fire station, both of which are under construction on Main Street, it would “be a very good cost savings” for the city to have its own HVAC technician. The proposal represents a 6.23% increase over this year’s figures.
There was some discussion between councilors at the meeting over what those cost savings would look like, and where they are represented in the budget.
“It’s difficult to quantify, but all our city-side buildings are listed with contracted services,” Warner explained. “A lot of them are listed with small monies, a lot of times we go over. … What I can say about the school-side is it seems like there’s a … much higher demand to hire a tech to do repairs. … They’re systems [that are] run really hard and there are a lot more people in the building where they’re housed.”
At-Large Councilor Michael Terounzo said the proposed new position seemed like “a good investment” for the city.
In addition to the added role, the proposed budget seeks $15,000 for a vehicle lease to accommodate the equipment needed for an HVAC technician.
Another notable increase in the DPW budget involves the salaries of central maintenance administrators, Warner continued. This is to account for the upcoming retirement of Facilities Manager George VanDelinder.
“We do have that ad out on the street,” he said. “We do have multiple applicants and we’ll be entering into interviews, probably next week.”
With $80,000 budgeted, he said, “we should be able to get a qualified facilities manager replacement.”
“This is the going rate for a facilities manager position,” Warner said, given “the requirements and what’s expected of them in today’s day and age, with all the different HVAC systems and mechanical systems of every building. … The positions also put forth a scope of work for major projects, or even minor projects, and work with procurement.”
VanDelinder is expected to be with the DPW through June, and Warner hopes to have someone hired at the start of the month to allow for some transition time.
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.