DPW requests $500,000 for Pine Street garage replacement
Published on April 29th, 1998
STONEHAM, MA - Town Meeting voters now hold the key to a new garage for the Department of Public Works following favorable recommendation by the Finance Board, last Thursday night, of article 8 on the Special Town Meeting Warrant.
According to Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting, $500,000 will cover the cost of replacing the existing structure on Pine Street, if voters approve the request next Thursday night.
Finance Board member Ben Caggiano explained the need for a new garage by describing the existing structure as "a real safety hazard."
"You'd have to see it to believe it," Caggiano advised the Board. "It's amazing that guys work in that garage."
Following a site visit to the garage with DPW Director Robert Grover, and seeing first-hand the poor condition of the approximately 50-year-old structure, Caggiano stated, "It's got to come down completely...if it's delayed any longer, the risk is too great."
While the garage is used primarily for storage of vehicles, Caggiano advised that workers are "in and out" of the facility regularly.
In addition, Nutting stated that the town does not insure any of its vehicles against property damage and, therefore, would receive no insurance compensation for any damage to stored vehicles if the structure were to collapse.
Without a garage, the DPW's equipment and vehicles would be stored outside, and exposed to rain and snow. Finance Board Chairman Richard Gregorio asserted that the town undoubtedly would experience a "disruption of service," since start-up of cold engines and snow removal from equipment and vehicles would affect response time, as well as increase mechanical costs.
According to Nutting, $500,000 is a realistic estimate of the replacement cost, based on quotes already received and would include architect fees and contingencies.
Article 8 calls for the town "...to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds or by borrowing, a sum of money for the design, demolition, construction, furnishing and all other related costs of a DPW garage..."
Finance Board approval of the article was unanimous.
Also on Thursday night, the Finance Board voted favorably on Article l6, seeking to transfer money to amend the FY98 departmental budgets.
If approved by Town Meeting voters next Thursday night, a shortfall of $78,000 in salaries will be offset by budgeted money in some departments that was not used, including in the MIS and Community Development accounts, where the hiring for those positions did not happen as early as anticipated.
A $ll9,000 shortfall in expenses, will be offset by various accounts, including a transfer from the reserve account, saving on the DPW fuel tank, as well as water and sewer account surpluses.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!