IN MY OPINION
Department works for the public in Lancaster What's your opinion?
By Tim Roschel, Member, Lancaster City Council Special to the Sunday News

 

In recent news articles and editorials regarding the city budget, much attention has been given to potential police and fire department layoffs as well as an increase in property taxes.

 

Not being discussed are the severe cutbacks the Public Works Department has endured over the past decade. Nor have we acknowledged the superb job this department does in providing critical services to the city despite these cutbacks.

 

Public Works has lost about 40 positions in recent years including supervisors, laborers, managers, mechanics and operators. Despite these losses, the department has been able to provide the following list of services:

 

City operations maintain 240 miles of streets and public alleys; 17,000 traffic signs; 117 traffic intersections; 536 vehicles; and 22 public parks. The Wastewater and Water bureaus serve more than 120,000 customers in the city and various county municipalities. The wastewater plant treats 20 million gallons of wastewater per day and maintains 135 miles of sewer lines. The two water plants that are operated by the city produce an average of 20 million gallons of water per day. They also maintain 573 miles of distribution piping, 42,000 water meters, and the water and wastewater labs analyze more than 50,000 samples per year, which is required by the state Department of Environmental Protection. The Public Works Department performs numerous other operations (not mentioned here) that are no less significant.

 

The department is also taking the lead in finding ways to reduce energy costs. At zero cost to the taxpayers, Lancaster is participating in CitySmart, an energy management pilot program offered to selected PPL municipal customers. The managers and supervisors from the Public Works Department attended a CitySmart workshop where they, along with the consultants, discussed building performance benchmarks and best management practices. The consultants also offered an energy audit report for three of our municipal buildings, and an energy management master plan is forthcoming. I can say firsthand that the city employees in attendance at the workshop were enthusiastic about the program and also excited about finding ways to cut energy expenditures.

 

Understandably, most of us only think of Public Works when we have a complaint. But I think due praise should be given to all the women and men of the department whose daily professionalism and dedication tackle a staggering amount of work that keeps our city running. Because let's face it, without properly cared for parks, streets, water and sewage systems, Lancaster would not be the outstanding city that it is.

 

Tim Roschel, a Democrat, is chair of the City Council Public Works Committee.

 

Send "In My Opinion" submissions to Barbara Hough Roda, P.O. Box 1328, Lancaster, PA 17608-1328, or e-mail to broda@lnpnews.com. Columns should be no more than 600 words.

 

  
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