FAIRFIELD, Conn. Public Works Director Richard White runs one of Fairfields most costly departments, second only to the Board of Education in annual spending. If not for an accounting tick, he would be on his way to removing that distinction this year.
White made his funding request for the 2012-13 fiscal year to the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance on Thursday night. Overall, the Public Works and Engineering departments are asking for more than $16.7 million next year, about $900,000 more than in 2011-12.
But $1 million of that comes from the departments regular paving program, which the town is moving over from a debt-based system to upfront payment. Without that shift, Whites department would cut its costs next year by a few percentage points.
Part of Whites request is $572,000 for large pieces of new equipment, including trucks, vans and power tools. This area was trimmed last year by the Representative Town Meeting, which delayed buying a $112,000 backhoe to save money in last years budget.
White said Thursday he made more than $700,000 in cuts to his own staffs requests. Because we know that the last few years have been particularly tough, weve reduced that list based on what we can keep going another year, White said. We feel that what we submit is the minimum.
A large part of DPWs savings comes from electricity and other utility costs. The town worked out a new deal with United Illuminating to cut its per-watt price next year. That move saves the towns taxpayers $225,000 from the Public Works Department alone, plus more than $100,000 on its streetlights.
And even with the departments spending cuts, Fairfielders might see more work done in their neighborhoods. Superintendent Scott Bartlett said Thursday the town will repair or install more sidewalks next year, especially in neighborhoods with spotty coverage.
For example, in some areas where theres two-thirds of a sidewalk and then it stops, well come in an put in that one-third, Bartlett said.
The Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance will continue to hold budget hearings throughout March. Citizens who want to voice their opinions on the towns spending can attend any meeting. A special public hearing to hear all citizens concerns will be held March 24. Both boards will then make their final budget vote in the last week of the month.
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