HomeMy WebLinkAboutCapital Improvements 02/02/2010Capital Improvements Committee Minutes
February 2, 2010
Present: Charlene Lavin, Chair; Michael Trowbridge and Jean Miller, School
Committee, George Dentino and Sandy Levine, Board of Selectmen, Tony Jodice and c n
Tim Verrochi, Planning Board; Alan Clapp, Municipal Building Committee, Tommy E-
Ratliff, Finance Committee
William Ross, Town Manager; Shaun P. Burke, Director of Planning and Development;
Arthur O'Neill, Police Chief, Neal Boldrighini, Fire Chief
2 The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
2 Discussion of Police Department Requests
Chief O'Neill explained his request for two transport vehicles, $100,000; Detective van,
$29,000; Car video/computers $36,000.
Transport Vehicles - $100,000
Chief O'Neill explained both vehicles must have their bodies replaced because of the
degree of rust and rot. Neither vehicle frame can be inspected. A new body would cost
$28,000, but the condition of the frame rails is unknown. The vehicles are box and cab
type, but a van type vehicle would allow separate cages inside. The vehicles are used
constantly during the summer concert season, but not much during the winter.
Mr. Jodice asked what the vehicles' projected useful life is. Chief O'Neill said they will
last 12-14 years. Mr. Ratliff asked if the primary user is the Comcast Center, are the
vehicle use fees appropriate? Chief O'Neill explained the fees have brought in $33,000
over five years, which goes into the general fund.
Mr. Jodice asked about leasing the vehicles. Chief O'Neill said he is not aware of a
company that leases this type of vehicle. Mr. Dentino asked if the Comcast Center
bought both of the existing vehicles. Chief O'Neill said it had bought one in 1995 and
one in 1997. They didn't collect fees for a number of years, then Comcast used
uncollected fees to purchase the vehicles. Mr. Dentino said he would like to find a way;
to have an appropriate user fees paid by the event.
Mr. Clapp asked about sharing this type of vehicle with Foxboro, The committee
discussed various ways of funding the vehicles.
Chief O'Neill said the bottom line is that the trucks need to be replaced. Two new trucks
would be $50,000 each; just the bodies would be $28,000 each.
1997 Detective Van - $29,000
Chief O'Neill explained the van needs to be replaced with a similar vehicle. The existing
van has 64,000 miles on it, but has many mechanical and body rot issues.
Ms. Levine asked if the chief had looked into internet purchasing. Chief O'Neill said he
buys off the state bid list and from dealers who do a lot of work with police departments.
the last two ambulances were donated to the town, and have brought insignificant
revenue with no investment on the town's part.
Chief Boldrighini explained the new ambulance would become the front line rescue
vehicle, and Rescue 33 would be the backup. Rescue 34 would be kept for use if
either of the other two is out of service.
The committee discussed the possibility of refurbishing Rescue 34. Chief Boldrighini
explained that would mean taking it out of service for significant amount of time.
He said the best option is a replacement.
The committee discussed the fact that this is an ongoing capital need, as well as a
service that brings in significant revenue.
Mr. Ratliff said the Finance Committee had been discussing privatizing ambulance
Service, but had dismissed the idea. He said the town seems to be finding a need to
purchase a new ambulance ever two years, which puts them on a four-year
replacement schedule. He said the options may be outright purchase, an enterprise
account, or a revolving account. He suggested that $150,000 needs to be set aside
each year to replace one ambulance every two years.
Mr. Dentino asked if the town could use an enterprise account for this. Mr. Ratliff
said the Finance Committee is actually looking at a revolving account because an
enterprise account would keep all revenue. With a revolving fund only a portion of
revenue would be retained.
The committee discussed purchase versus lease/purchase after two or four years. Mr.
Ratliff said the Finance Committee prefers the lease/purchase after two years option.
He said they will be discussing this with the Board of Selectmen.
The committee discussed the fact that a revolving account has to be voted every year
by Town Meeting. There is a certain amount of risk to that, although Town Meeting
has never refused to reauthorize a revolving account.
Mr. Dentin asked whether the chief is looking for a light duty or medium duty
ambulance, and how much each would cost. The chief said he isn't sure whether a
light or medium duty vehicle would be best. He said he isn't sure a medium duty
would fit into the North Main Street Fire Station.
Chief Boldrighini suggested that $37,000 be taken from the ambulance fund to assist
in this purchase.
Ms. Levine asked if some of the equipment in the existing ambulances would be
transferrable to a new one. Chief Boldrighini said the rstair chair and a few other
things would be, but he said he would like to be able to keep the existing ambulance
as a backup.
J
Car Video/Computers
Chief O'Neill explained the three in-vehicle computers/video monitors would cost
$12,000 each and would complete the update of the patrol fleet. He said this technology
is a valuable tool for officers to have. Approximately eight vehicles have been done and
these are the three remaining patrol vehicles.
Mr. Trowbridge asked the lifespan of the equipment; Chief O'Neill said it is
approximately five years. The technology is digital and wireless. Mr. Trowbridge asked
about grant funding. Chief O'Neill said he is always looking for grants, but they seem to
be drying up.
Ms. Levine asked what the chief s top priority is. Chief O'Neill said it is a transport
vehicle, then computers, then the van.
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Rescue 34, $210,000; 12-lead semi-automatic defibrillators, $60,000; Three thermal
imaging cameras, $40,000; Car 2, $40,000; OPTICOM System, $25,000; North Main
Street Fire Station roof/improvements,'$100,000
Chief Boldrighini showed the committee a PowerPoint presentation with slides of the
North Main Street Fire Station exhaust and filter systems, as well as a new engine and a
boat that was donated and refurbished.
Chief Boldrighini said his priorities, from least important to most important, are as
follows:
6. Opticom System - a signal preemption similar to one provided by Mansfield Crossing
at Plymouth Street.
5. North Main Street Fire Station Improvements — the station has many, many problems,
including a roof issue and electrical system problems.'
4. Car 2 - has 120,000 miles on it.
3. Thermal Imaging Cameras — to identify heat sources. Chief Boldrighini said they may
get three donated cameras from Covidien. Replacement parts are no longer available
for the two they have now.
2. Defibrillators — the existing heart monitors are at the end of their life spans.
1. 2003 Road Rescue — has 91,000 miles on it and is at the end of its 4-5 year life span.
They have spent $25,000 on repairs for Rescue 33 and 34. Rescue 33 is currently up
on blocks because of a brake problem, and has been out of service for a week.
Chief Boldrighini said they charge around $1,400 per transport, and with two
ambulances naming, transport fees are around $700,000. Chief Boldrighini explained
1oxspolgdn 1
1. January 12, 2010 minutes
Motion: To approve as submitted (Trowbridge -Miller) All in favor. PASSES
Motion: To adjourn at 7:55 p.m. (Miller-Jodice) All in favor. PASSES
Date of ne t meeting:, March 2, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. ; (School Department)
Signat hai : Date of Appro, al
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