Mayor Proposes $2 Million in Capital Spending

The proposed capital spending represent only about 5 percent of the total requests.

NORTHAMPTON – Mayor Mary Clare Higgins will ask the City Council Thursday to consider spending a total of $1.97 million in transfers, borrowing and cash to pay for dozens of capital-project requests from city departments. The list ranges from switching over the city’s computer system to a new software system and  adding a new security network for municipal buildings to buying a new bucket loader and a refurbished the high school track.

The so-called “capital improvement” recommendations were made in July by the city’s Capital Committee, a volunteer group of city, private- and public-sector folks who prioritized the list after meeting with department heads earlier this year, according to City Finance Director Christopher Pile, the committee chair.

The list places requests into various tiers, with “Tier 1” the highest priority. While almost $2 million in proposed spending may seem like a lot, the Tier 1 projects on the list represent only about 5.5 percent of the total $36 million requested by department heads for Fiscal Years 2010 (which ended this June 30) and Fiscal 2011. A number of projects receiving the highest rating were not funded at all, however, due to their high cost.

Pile said the committee looked at both fiscal years, since no capital projects were even considered last year. “We never even convened the committee (in 2009) because the city was in such dire straits,” Pile told Northampton Media.

During the comparison process, Pile said, the committee had to make many tough decisions in rating one project over another. “There’s always good projects that should get done that won’t be done,” he said.

COMPUTERS, SECURITY AND CARDIAC MONITORS

Although city budgets contain $175,000 a year for capital projects, none of that money was spent last year, allowing for a pool this year of cash totaling $350,000. Of that cash, almost all is proposed for spending on a number of city and school projects, including: $150,000 to change the city’s computer database to a new software operating system, which requires an upgrade of city servers; $75,000 to build a stormwater detention basin at the Bridge Street School; $45,000 to install a new security system for municipal offices downtown, were some break-ins were reported; and $20,000 to install a wireless fire-alarm system in municipal and school buildings.

Mayor Higgins will introduce the numerous spending measures during the Finance Committee portion of Thursday’s meeting.

A total of $746,500 in proposed borrowing would be for vehicle replacement and some upgrades to the Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, including: $410,000 to replace four heavy-duty trucks for the Department of Public Works; $141,500 to purchase three police department vehicles for administrative and supervisory use; and $50,000 apiece to renovate the culinary arts restaurant and to convert an auto-body spray paint booth, both at Smith Voke.

For the Department of Public Works, the Capital Committee highly recommended pushing ahead with building a new headquarters facility whose estimated cost is about $8.6 million, and with adding a new Central Services storage facility ($500,000) and rebuilding the citywide fuel depot ($250,000). In June, the City Council voted 7-2 to borrow $800,000 to pay for engineers to assess needs at the DPW facility on Locust Street and to design a new facility. The Board of Public Works has yet to award that contract.

Another large chuck of change, $560,500, would be transferred from the Ambulance Receipts Reserve Fund to pay for new vehicles ($220,000), to purchase new cardiac monitors ($148,000, although grants may be available), to replace or update extrication tools ($95,000), to buy automated CPR machines and to provide a new administrative vehicle.

BUCKET LOADER REVISITED

Another interesting item is found in a proposed transfer of $340,000 from the Parking Meter Reserve Fund to the city’s general fund to buy a $140,000 “DPW Bucket Loader.” (This transfer also includes $75,000 apiece for new sidewalks at the Armory Street Parking Lot and for new LED lighting in city parking lots, as well as $50,000 to replace a flat-bed pick-up truck.)

The committee admitted the parking division needs a bucket loader for snow removal, but said the DPW’s year-round needs for that piece of equipment are greater. “The committee recommended the DPW buy a new bucket loader and Parking purchase the old bucket loader being replaced,” the recommendation reads.

Back in March, the City Council tabled indefinitely a motion to purchase a $134,000 bucket loader for the city’s parking division after questions were raised about its procurement. In February, it was revealed that the loader had been purchased and used for snow removal without an appropriations OK from the council. (See related stories on Northampton Media.)

All the capital spending measures, if approved by the Finance Committee Thursday, will be brought up in the regular portion of the show for a first reading. If everything goes according to plan, the spending will come before the council again on Sept. 16 for a second and final reading. Thursday’s council meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Wallace J. Puchalski Municipal Building behind City Hall.