Complete question from PNF member:
What is the background behind the $400k one-time expense allocated to Street and Sidewalk maintenance in 2020? This seems to be a unique one-time item in 2020 and is being factored into the “cuts” from FY20 to the new preliminary budget. Note that this represents approx 50% of the “cuts” from FY20 and based on nature could have a significant impact on the comparison of actual cuts between the municipal and school departments.
Location in budget:
Page 86 of amended budget / Page 113 of BOS agenda pdf
Answer:
[My summary of the answer given by Jeremy Marsette in 6/10 DPW subcommittee meeting.] When we did the bond issuance for KMS and the West Natick firestation, we received and were able to invest it, so it was a one-time use on DPW budget.
PNF Follow-up Question:
As a one-time expense, should this money be included when calculating budget changes between FY20 and FY21? How does that work?
Street and sidewalk repair has been an ongoing issue for the town to address per TM members (watch Fall TM reruns) & you'll get the gist. The town commissioned a Pavement Management study from an expert consultant (Stantec) who assessed the current road conditions town-wide and rated them as "needing preventive maintenance" overall in the town. The attached image shows the ratings. However, this is for ALL roads. If you look at the Stantec document, it identifies town roads that are in ALL categories. Further, Stantec advises that it is exponentially more costly to let roads deteriorate to the point where they need more than structural maintenance. The town publishes a 5-year Roadway Improvement Plan (updated yearly) that lists which streets will be improved in a given year (this is excluding patching potholes - that's addressed on all town roads, even unaccepted roads. D/L these docs for more info.