T O W N R E P O R T 2007 L U N E N B U R G - Town of Lunenburg

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKSJohn M. Rodriquenz, DPW Director“ The mission of the Department of Public Works is to protect, preserve and improve the Town’s infrastructure andrelated assets in a manner which meets and enhances the current and future social and economic needs of thecommunity, to contribute to a healthy, safe and quality environment for the Town’s citizens and visitors, and to providea cost effective and environmentally sound means of disposing of solid waste and wastewater”Public Works combines the resources of the Highway, Park, Cemetery, Sewer, and Facilities divisions, and VehicleMaintenance services into one department organizing personnel and equipment to best serve the residents of ourcommunity. The DPW has taken the lead in a successful effort to meet state mandates, EPA and DEP requirements forstorm water management, fuel storage and effective disposal of hazardous waste. To date the community is in totalcompliance. Moving forward the department will address those problem areas as identified through a town-wideinspection. Furthermore, the program of public education and awareness will be expanded via work shops,publications, and links available through the Town of Lunenburg web site.The following is a breakdown of line item allocations and expenditures for Fiscal 2007:Payroll / OvertimeThe amount of $369,574.00 was originally budgeted for highway division and clerical payroll with an additional $3000.00added to cover overtime expenses (exclusive of winter operations). Actual overtime costs totaled $4983.00. Apercentage of the salaries of three DPW staff members was covered by the sewer enterprise fund due to their dailyinvolvement. A shift in personnel left positions unfilled for a time allowing for a portion of payroll to be unexpended.Total expended from DPW payroll; $329,893.00General Highway MaintenanceThe cost of drainage supplies, patching and paving materials, shoulder repair, roadside trimming, street sweeping, anddrain cleaning are funded through this line. The purchase of tools, small equipment items, and the outsourcing of tasksbeyond the resources of the department are also funded from this account. Total allocation =$73,000.00, totalexpenditure = $54,074.00. A spending freeze instituted by the CAFO during the winter months resulted in a balance thatwas utilized to offset other town deficits.Traffic SignsUtility charges to operate and maintain electronic signalization at the intersection of RT 13 and Whalom RD, andflashing caution signals in school zones are funded through this item. Standardized street signs, posts and installinghardware are purchased with these funds, Traffic markings; cross walks, stop bars etc. are also funded through thisline item.Original appropriation = $7,500.00, overall expenditure = $7,765.00Facilities MaintenanceThe department of Public works is responsible for the care and maintenance of all Town buildings and grounds(excluding those of the school department).The original appropriation was $119,244.00.Due mainly to series ofunanticipated expenses for repairs to the old vacant structures as well as the newly constructed buildings the overallexpenditure for FY 2007 was $137,983. The absence of an exit plan and maintenance schedule has, at least in partresulted in the overage in Facilities.Town Highway Garage / Public Works FacilityThe highway division / vehicle maintenance facility located at 520 Chase Rd serves as the central location for the publicworks department. Costs to operate the physical plant: utilities, waste removal, janitorial supplies, postage and officeequipment totaled $19,254.00. An intra-budget transfer was made to supplement the original allocation of $13,513.00.