HomeMy WebLinkAboutCapital Improvements 11/14/2017Capital Improvements Committee Minutes
November 14, 2017
Present: Scott Feely, Chair and Michael O'Brien, Finance Committee; Joe Cerretani, Planning
Board; Frank DelVecchio and Steve Schoonveld, Board of Selectmen; Kiera O'Neil and Jenn
Walsh, School Committee; Evan Epstein, MBC
Shaun P. Burke, Director of Planning and Development; Fire Chief Neal Boldrighini; Police
Chief Ron Sellon; Lt. Frank Archer
Minutes November 7, 2017
Motion: To accept as submitted
(Schoonveld-O'Brien) Seven in favor. Epstein abstained. PASSES
Chief Boldrighini explained his request to replace Engine 4 ($660,000, fully equipped). The
current equipment is a 2006 Pierce with rust on the frame, which cannot be fixed.
The group discussed trading or selling the existing engine on Munibid; Chief Boldrighini said the
trade-in or resale value would be very low.
Chief Boldrighini said the new engine would have a 15-20 year life span.
Mr. Cerretani asked if the new equipment would have to be downsized; the answer was no.
Chief Boldrighini said the engine would have to be able to fit down a narrow street. Mr. Epstein
asked if the new engine would be the same size as the old one; the answer was yes. Mr. Feely
said the engine would be housed at the Plymouth Street station.
Mr. Schoonveld asked the model year of the ladder truck; Chief Boldrighini said it is a 2001 with
fewer miles and hours than the engine. He said a new tower truck would be $1.3-1.4 million.
Lt. Archer explained there is a lack of tower sites in town, with one at Oxford Road and one at
the Police Station on West Street. The existing towers cover one-third to one-half of the town,
with limited coverage in East Mansfield. The system has gone down a number of times, and the
repeaters are out of production and beyond their expected life by two years. If they go down, the
department will be unable to have them repaired. The department has replaced 20 portable
radios this year, and there are two cruisers without radios.
Lt. Archer explained the Police Department would like to replace the existing mixed
analog/digital system with a digital system. He said the good news is the Regional Dispatch
system should cover all the costs in the end, but the timing will be an issue.
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Lt. Archer explained the current request is for a safety net. Mr. DelVecchio asked if the grant is
reimbursable; the answer was no.
Mr. Schoonveld said there are benefits to collaborating with other towns.
Chief Boldrighini said they are not asking for funding for the system at this point, but are simply
making the committee aware of the issue.
Mr. Cerretani asked if the town should buy parts now; Lt. Archer said not without replacing the
repeaters, which are no longer being made; however, he said we could buy more portables and
mobiles. Chief Sellon said they cannot really stockpile parts because it is so difficult to guess
what may fail.
Lt. Archer said if only Mansfield's system is upgraded, the towers would need to be upgraded;
new towers may need to be added. When the regional dispatch center is complete, Mansfield
would be able to use the other towns' towers.
Mr. DelVecchio asked about the certainty of getting the grant; the answer was there is a very
high probability. Mr. Schoonveld asked how long it would be before the grant is available; the
answer was between 18 months and three years.
Mr. Epstein asked how long it would take to replace the system after the repeaters failed; the
answer was at least 30 days. Chief Sellon and Chief Boldrighini said they would both have the
ability to borrow a channel in the short-term.
Chief Sellon explained his department's top three priorities for FYI 9:
1. Replace 2012 Chevy Tahoe with 7,000 hours on the motor $55,000
2. Replace 15 tasers $23,000
3. Range improvements— site preparation $40,000; Metrolink will supply $100,000 for two
metal buildings.
Chief Sellon explained these improvements are not related to last year's proposal, which was a
noise suppression issue. He said this would involve two metal buildings within which to conduct
training, not for shooting. Mr. O'Brien asked if there will be a training area in the new
Municipal Complex building; Chief Sellon said there will be classroom space.
Motion: To adjourn at 7:05 p.m. (Schoonveld-DelVecchio) All in favor. PASSES
Chair
11/14/17
Date of Approval