As outgoing Mattapoisett Highway Surveyor Barry Denham came before the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen on February 16, he reminded all that the FY22 budget will be “the new guy’s budget.” Denham had previously announced his retirement when he came before the Finance Committee earlier this month, and, as he had with that committee, he suggested staffing changes.
Denham said that on the heels of his retirement, the new surveyor would benefit from having an in-field foreman to assist with the numerous large and small-scale projects facing the department. He also said that the current foreman should be moved up to director of operations and a part-time administrative assistant to full-time hours.
Selectman John DeCosta offered that the new highway surveyor should be given the opportunity to make staffing decisions after he or she has had the chance to evaluate the department.
Selectman Jordan Collyer framed his response to Denham’s suggestions this way. “One ask is okay, two maybe, but three is a bit much.” He pointed out that any staffing changes would require either opening a previously negotiated union contract or beginning negotiations sooner than October. So while some of what Denham was proposing might be worth review, Collyer said, “Our hands are tied.”
Collyer then took the discussion in a more expansive direction. “We need to look at the bigger picture and long term. I’m on board with an elected surveyor, but should we bring in a full-time engineer who could assist with water, sewer, and highway?” He said the town is now paying for outside engineering services, encompassing everything from buildings to roads to bidding contracts. “We are paying through the nose. We could be doing it ourselves.” Selectmen Paul Silva and DeCosta agreed. Town Administrator Mike Lorenco was asked to do a cost-benefit analysis for the three departments.
The selectmen also took a moment to recognize Denham and his many contributions over the 15 years he has been the highway surveyor. DeCosta said, “Barry and I go way back; I worked for him when I was in high school. Thank you for your service to the town and the country.” Collyer said, “You and I have had our share of disagreements, but you’ve done a phenomenal job, made it your own, been accountable, taken ownership, you’ve accomplished a lot.”
The Highway Department proposed FY22 budget total is $765,250.
Earlier in the evening, the board met with Water and Sewer Superintendent Henri Renauld. As he had recently with the Finance Committee, Renauld said that the budget was level-funded except for contractual employment raises. He also said that given the number of new homes requiring meters, he had added a new line item for this expense, beginning with $15,000. The cost of the meters will be recouped from usage revenues, he explained, but the initial outlay was needed.
Renauld was asked about expenses that eventually are received through revenue but cannot be easily seen on an accounting spreadsheet. Silva asked why a credit couldn’t be noted. Lorenco said he was looking into how those numbers could be expressed but that currently, “This is how the water district works.” Silva said, “We have to make sure we are getting the money back.” The proposed FY22 budget for the Water Department is $1,559,960, a 0.18-percent increase, and the Sewer Department $826,336, a 0.2-percent increase.
The selectmen also discussed the need to look at constructing a new building, a home for the Water and Sewer Departments. Renauld may have been having a bit of déjà vu since the Finance Committee addressed the topic a few days earlier. Renauld said he would be securing financing for study and conceptual designs for town-owned properties. DeCosta asked for a debt retirement schedule for the next 10 years as part of a package of financial data needed for such a large-scale project.
Rounding out their discussions, Lorenco reported that the Plymouth County Retirement Association had increased the town’s share by $132,000. Silva commented that was likely due to poor earnings of the trust. Collyer said he’d like to know what the town is paying currently in fees and would also like to look at other funds such as Plymouth County OPEB Trust. The town currently has an estimated $9 million in other post-employment benefits (OPEB). “More than just about any other town,” Lorenco said.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Tuesday, March 9, at 6:30 pm.
Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen
By Marilou Newell