PRINCETON: Consolidated DPW could save $440,000

By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
   Public works would have a reduction of two positions, should consolidation or shared services be approved by voters this November.
   A consolidated public works, including the engineering departments in the event of full consolidation, would add up to $442,564 in savings, according to data from CGR, the consolidation consultant hired by both municipalities to guide the process.
   ”It’s beginning to add up to enough to pay attention to,” said Valerie Haynes at the most-recent Joint Shared Services Consolidation Commission (JSSCC). “That’s without reducing staff, it involves some changes.”
   The two positions that would be reduced and repurposed are a superintendent and a foreman. This would save $218,862, a net savings of 2 percent of total costs after salaries are leveled up.
   There would be some repurposing of other employees, rather than job elimination, said Ms. Haynes. Some positions will have broader responsibilities. For example, the assistant superintendent for parking operations would become assistant superintendent for the business downtown, adding the management of services to the business downtown and municipal buildings to their duties. A second assistant superintendent would continue on as assistant superintendent of operations and administration, with the additional responsibility of managing grounds, open spaces and roads.
   Services would be maintained, or perhaps better, she said.
   ”Perhaps we can plow a whole street without stopping,” she said. “It’s interesting that that has been brought up by a number of people.”
   If consolidation passes, public works has even more options with an integrated model with what they have now, combined with engineering, recreation maintenance and sewer operating committee, said Anton Lahnston, JSSCC chair.
   Recreation Department maintenance and sewer maintenance operations currently under the Princeton Sewer Operations Commission would fall under public works.
   ”If you could do all that, then you would get that $400,000-plus number,” said Ms. Haynes. “By putting people together there will be more cross training and job skills and management will be able to put people where they need to be to get the job done. People are positive that this could work, that’s the feedback we’re getting (from the involved parties)”
   The subcommittee is also formulating ideas for the long-term development of facilities that would save money, such as a cold storage facility that would prolong equipment life.
   ”The goal is to reduce the intensity of use of the John and Harrison Street sites, which are in residential area,” said Ms. Haynes. “It’s a longer term goal, but it’s a goal we are focused on.”