City saves $7.5 million in energy costs
Date: 3/14/2013
By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comSPRINGFIELD — In a time of a budget deficit, the city is expected to save $7.5 million over the next three years.
Mayor Domenic Sarno announced on March 8 the results of an electrical energy auction in which the city participated. The online auctions were conducted in September 2012 and the city received 71 bids from suppliers.
This was the first time the city had achieved "significant savings" through an energy auction, Sarno said.
School Superintendent Daniel Warwick said the money saved on the school side of the budget would be used for instructional programs.
Patrick Sullivan, executive director of Parks, Buildings and Recreational Management, explained the city worked with World Energy Solutions Inc. in the auction process. City staffers watched the energy markets and analyzed when the best time would be to enter the auction process, he said.
Sullivan added that members of his department understand the energy needs of each city building so there can be proper management. He proved a listing of the savings with the greatest $526,122 saved with the street and traffic lights, then followed by the High School of Science & Technology at $170,168. The least amount of savings — $15 — is anticipated at the page Boulevard Fire Station.
Sarno admitted the announcement "might not seem too sexy when it comes to issues," but according to the Acting Chief Administrative and Finance Officer TJ Plante, the city is facing $21.8 million deficit in its fiscal year 2014 budget.
Plante called the budget "perhaps the worst yet for the city."
Sarno added, "We're past the bone, now we're cutting into the marrow." He said the city has faced six successive years of budget cuts from the Commonwealth.
Despite the challenges, the city recently advertised for two new positions in fiscal management. Sarno said the jobs came about through consolidation and are necessary to manage grants and to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to recoup funding, among other tasks.
Sarno said that in 2003 when the Finance Control Board cut positions the city actually lost "millions of dollars" because the necessary staffers were not there.
Plante said the Finance Department used to be 14 people and is now down to six or seven.
