A DPW...an interesting concept!

City May Combine Functions
Some water distribution duties may be changed
Katie Landeck
News Staff Writer

GARDNER  As the city plans for the end of a 20-year contract with United Water in 2018, officials are mulling the possibility taking back some services and bringing the Department of Public Works and the city engineering office under one roof.

United Water is currently in charge of operating and maintaining the city’s water and sewer systems, which include the wastewater treatment facility, water and sewer main breaks, the Crystal Lake Water Treatment Facility, sewer pump stations, and the distribution and collection systems.

When the city rebids the contract, Director of Public Works Dane Arnold proposes the city take control of the distribution and collection systems, leaving everything else to continue being the responsibility of a contractor.

The switch is unlikely to save or cost the city money, according to both Mr. Arnold and Mayor Mark Hawke. However, it would help the city better process insurance claims after a water main break and make it easier to share equipment between the Water Department, Sewer Department and city.

“It would give us more control ... and help us be able to deal firsthand with the residents a little better,” Mr. Arnold said when presenting the plan to the Finance Committee.

In order to take control of the distribution and collection systems, some changes would need to be made, Mr. Arnold said, including the construction of a proposed $2.25 million facility to house the Public Works and engineering departments. The building would include office space as well as storage for DPW equipment currently out in the elements.

“We need to be under one roof,” said Mr. Arnold. “I can’t handle this by myself and engineering couldn’t handle it by themselves. In one building, we would be better able to work together.”

City Engineer Robert Hankinson said he can see all sides of the situation and would be satisfied with any outcome.

At present, his department dedicates about half its time to working with United Water.

The cost would be split evenly between the city’s budget, the water enterprise fund and the sewer enterprise fund. This project is independent of proposed upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Facility and rate hikes associated with that $14 million project.

The Public Service Committee has already endorsed the plan.

“It’s a better use of equipment and it is less money going to outside contractors,” said Chairman Marc Morgan.

The end of the contract is three years and two budgets away, making it important to start the conversation now, according to Mr. Arnold.

“The is a huge undertaking by the city that will affect a lot of departments,” he said.

In an ideal world, he said, a decision would be made by the end of the summer and the city would break ground on the new building early next year, if officials decide to move forward.

The topic is set to go before the City Council at its Monday meeting.