Review of Budget during 6/10 DPW subcommittee meeting:
[This is my recounting of the discussion. It is not the official version. Jeremy Marsette is the Director of DPW]
Summary:
Town hall, DPW and some other offices to be closed on Monday. This is typically the “late day”. This is the salary savings due to the reduction of those hours.
Discussion highlights: (Again, this is my shorthand of the discussion)
Mike Linehan: One issue is getting the money in for bulk waste pickup … why does this need to be in-person?
Jeremy Marsette answer: hopeful that early this summer, we’ll be able to take payment online. Not an easy payment as it has a menu of choices with online pay.
Jeremy: There could be another night designated.
Jerry Pierce: Was this a hardship to the employees.
Jeremy: Did not speak to it, but acknowledged that it was not voluntary.
Linda: Asked about impacts of this change
Jeremy: This staff help across the board beyond counter support which will be done during other hours: invoicing payments; processing payrolls; street lighting inquiries; assistance to procurement agent.
Linda: Can they get it done in less time;
Jeremy: There has been streamlining in payroll that will help; some response and level of service lags possible.
Dirk (from public): “Has the union responded to this proposal or commented on it?”
Town could not comment.
Guimel DeCarvalho: “What is the current number of residents that are coming in to the office at this time? Has it reduced, increased, or remained the same?”
Jeremy: We are closed to the public at this time other than deliveries. We’ve moved to remote support by accepting permits, etc… remotely.
Guimel follow-up: If you have successfully moved remote, why is this the only cut that is considered.
Jeremy: Most of the employees are doing work on road, water etc… so this was the area that could be reduced.
Mike Linehan: Would staggered shifts reduce impact to employees/citizens while still getting the savings.
Jeremy: Comments are valid, but we’d need to look at it.
Mike follow-up: Is this about consolidating/reducing public facing service across all departments?
Jeremy: Yes.
Requested follow-up: Does COVID changes mean that late evening hours are less of a problem?
Keywords: bulk waste pickup; online payment
