BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Despite a bare bones budget, Department of Public Works Superintendent Marty Miller is pressing forward with an extensive repair schedule this summer.

During a recent budget session, Miller told village trustees that work was well underway on some projects, including the Veteran's Memorial retaining wall replacement.

"We've done pretty well and haven't really added must as you can see what I presented this year. I mean, there's a lot to ask for but I understand times are tough. Hopefully we can get through what we have on our list," he said.

Miller thanked the board for being so supportive in purchasing multiple pieces of equipment since he took over the department just a couple of years ago.

"So, obviously we're working on Veteran's Memorial Park and that's moving right along. When we start getting materials we'll get started on the water distribution system project on Columbia Street. We're going to get going on that pretty soon," he said.

Miller said a contractor that was previously hired by the board will also begin work on the Center Street culvert project sometime mid-summer.

"The school business project, which will be a contractor project, will also happen. DPW will obviously be involved with that one too," he said.

Miller detailed the list of street projects that need to be completed as well, including Parker Ave., East Arbor St., Douglas Street and Columbia, he said.

A reconstruction project is also in the works for part of Columbia, however Miller said much of the paving work is up in the air due to the state budget still not being finalized.

"We're getting ready to come in and start...but a lot of this is going to revolve around the state budget. That hasn't been approved yet, so I don't know where we're at with CHIPS funding. I guess we'll know soon," he said.

Other projects include an evaluation of the wastewater treatment plant, which should be complete during late summer.

"Now we're working on the grant funding for the water main project along the Main Street bridge crossing, which hopefully we're going to be getting a state grant for," he said.

Miller said that project will be a crucial element to ensuring water reaches the south end of town. On three separate occasions town officials were forced to bring in divers to repair a water line that runs along the bottom of the Raquette River due to extensive leaks. Miller said that project is just awaiting state DOT approval before moving forward.

According to Miller, personnel needs have been met and no further requests were needed in the new fiscal year budget, saying everything is working as it should with the staff he has available to him.

"We're just trying to get to another year with the numbers we have. I do have to fill one backfill position still from this year. Once I get that spot filled we will be back up to full capacity," he said.

Equipment requests were limited as well, he said.

"As far as equipment out of the general fund, I requested to trade our skid steer Bobcat. The price was $56,000 and they would give us $24,000 for ours. That difference is about $32,000, which I asked for. By the time it actually happens and is approved it could be a little different, give or take a few (thousand) but we'll see when we get to that point," he said.

Overall, Miller said he kept the budget as tight as possible given the circumstances.

"I mean, as I said, we're fortunate you guys really helped out the last couple of years. I'm still waiting for two dump trucks. We've gotten two new ones but we're waiting for the other two right now. We were able to take two old ones offline," Miller commented.

With excess equipment selling for elevated prices in recent years, Miller said he is once again exploring another auction to sell more surplus pieces of equipment.

Miller said with the recent upgrades he has updated all vehicles to the point the department no longer has dump trucks from the 1990's, a move that will save the village in repair costs moving forward.

"Everything's moving in the right direction," he said.

Miller said contractual expenses are going to be lower as well after he reviewed projections for the department.

"I'm starting to look at some of the things that we really don't need. We really, really need to be sharpening our pencil and only getting some of the things are really necessary," Miller said.

One key to that is shopping around for supplies instead of relying on old vendors.

"One thing that we talked about the other day was, it just seems like it's just been old hat that they've always gone to the same local tire place here to get tires for trucks. Well, maybe we need to start looking at tires from other places and getting all of the prices. I understand you're trying to support local businesses but it's getting to a point now where you really have to start watching everybody's spending and shopping around more for better deals. I think that's the direction we may have to go," Miller concluded.