This is new
The what committee?
Ever week, City Manager Tom Aspell posts a memo on the city’s website. Here’s the lead item for this week: “Given that no new items for consideration were received this past month, the Poles and Wires Committee meeting, scheduled for Friday, March 27, has been cancelled.”
Has anyone ever heard of this committee? Because we haven’t. Maybe there’s a good reason for that.
In case you have heard of this mysterious group that discusses all things pole- and wire-related, you should know that the the next meeting is scheduled for May 22.
Darn!
We can’t believe we missed this
While we’re on the subject of things we’ve never heard of (and are really okay with that), Aspell writes that “Bob McManus, business manager for the general services department, gave a presentation at the New Hampshire Water Works Association’s Public Outreach Management Seminar.”
Seriously. Why is that seminar title so long? Aspell continues: “Bob’s presentation, titled ‘Billing Policies and Procedures in the 21st Century, Delinquent Accounts, Red Flag Rules and Innovations’ was received by approximately 50 water system professionals from across New Hampshire.” Way to keep up with th “really, really long titles” theme, guys. Nothing like being succinct.
“The theme of the seminar was building customer confidence and ensuring positive cash flow in a difficult economic climate,” writes Aspell. “Bob, along with the other presenters, focused their presentations on a positive approach to customer satisfaction in today’s complex business environment.”
Right . . . we’ve spent more than enough time on this. Time for a more interesting subject.
Spring cleaning
It’s that time
Get ready to say goodbye to the beach-like roads and sidewalks. We’re talking about the sand, of course. Crews are preparing to begin cleaning sidewalks and streets, says Aspell.
“The contracted sweeping effort will occur from mid-April to mid-May, depending on the weather,” writes Aspell. “At that time, staff will complete the clearing of sidewalks ahead of the contracted sweeper.”
Speaking of roads
Ten-hour days
Aspell’s memo highlights a change for the Highway and Utilities Division of the General Services Department. Starting April 6, crews will begin working four 10-hour days.
According to Aspell, “The pision conducted a pilot program last summer and into the fall and was able to realize savings in both fuel consumption and overtime.”
He continues: “The City Council will recall that the city realized a savings of $20,000 during the first quarter of this fiscal year. Current service levels were maintained and actually increased with staff being on site between the hours of 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to answer emergency calls.”
You might think that is all there is to say on the topic, but you’d be wrong. “The pision has six crews,” writes Tom. “On Mondays and Fridays there are three crews working, and Tuesday through Thursday all six crews are working, so there is always personnel on-site to answer any calls that may come in.”
Great, so everyone’s happy then, yes?
