Results
CGR produced a number of findings related to different aspects of DPW operations (see CGR's final presentation here, for a summary of the research and results).
Peer comparison:
Westfield's operations were compared to three NYS villages of similar size that have the same range of services the DPW provides: village-based municipal electric, street, water and sewer services.
In comparison:
- Westfield's staffing and expenditures tend to be somewhat higher than comparison municipalities but not significantly so.
- These current expenditure levels may be important to providing the high quality of service residents have come to expect.
- Westfield's wage levels have generally lagged peers and nearby competitors.
- Recent adjustments have brought these more in line, but Westfield wages still tend toward the lower end of the range in some cases
Equipment:
- The DPW generally has the proper equipment; however, a number of pieces of equipment and vehicles are nearing the end of their useful life and should be replaced.
Electric needs:
- The Electric department foresees the necessity of a future rate increase to cover needed upgrades to aging equipment, such as main transformers, and other key infrastructural elements.
- However, they believe that future rates will continue to be below those of other neighboring utilities and municipalities.