Increasing revenues in the city Board of Public Utilities’ district heating system and potentially purchasing electric garbage trucks are among the utility’s upcoming goals.

Both were among the items discussed during the board’s recent meeting as BPU board members look ahead to 2025.

Kevin Karr, BPU finance and customer accounts manager, made a presentation to the board, beginning with budget goals for district heating.

“For district heat, our goals are to increase revenue and add new customers,” Karr said. “We adjusted the current rates, the fuel adjustment charge and also a possible meter charge because some of the meters are becoming extremely expensive.”

Karr said they plan to continue with cost controls and consider capital improvements versus capital repairs as the Retool District Heating/Charting the Future project progresses.

“We are monitoring leaks and repairs,” Karr continued. “We did a thermal drone study, and we’re looking to see if we can contract for a drone study next year. We’re discussing purchasing our own drone, with our own software, if it could be a cost savings.”

General Manager David L. Leathers reminded the group that a thermal drone study of district heating pipes indicated where leaks and repair work are needed on the system.

Results of the study helped the division prioritize its spring and summer work on the district heating lines.

Karr said that the BPU’s Solid Waste goals include replacing one garbage truck per year. He added that the BPU is investigating the possibility of electrifying the garbage trucks and buying one in 2025 or in 2026.

“We’ve had some encouraging conversations with the manufacturer about grants and what New York State will provide for purchasing a garbage truck, so we’re going to continue that conversation,” Karr said. “We are meeting to consider eliminating commercial dumpster service and let the experts who deal with dumpsters do what they do best. This is a safety concern on our end, a time concern and a financial concern.”

Karr said the BPU also is looking at the need for garbage container cleaning equipment, saying that the need to clean them can sometimes become a hazmat issue depending on what is put in them. The Solid Waste Division is managing expenses and Karr said they do not see the need for rate adjustments in 2025.

Solid waste concerns include county tipping fees and whether they may increase this year; employee turnover with the need for drivers to be CDL-licensed; maintaining enough trained employees; vehicle repair costs; and the lead time to purchase new trucks. According to Karr, the latest new vehicles took more than two years to receive after purchase.

Another concern is that some people are getting into dumpsters. Dumpster customers are requesting that locks and chains be placed on the equipment.

There are still some unscheduled collections, with people dumping or chasing garbage trucks to throw additional bags in the vehicles. Karr said consideration is being given to replacing recycling bins in the upcoming year.