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Capital Improvements Committee Minutes
highway garage. The existing generator is 52 years old and broke down in August 2009;
parts are no longer available. The department is currently renting a portable generator,
and would like to purchase it.
Mr, Azinheira explained funding is available in the Highway, Water, Wastewater and
Light Department budgets.
Mr. Ratliff asked how long a new generator will last; Mr. Azinheira responded that if it is
properly maintained, a generator will last 30 years.
Mr. Trowbridge asked if Mr. Azinheira is worried about his budget, and added he would
not want to see DPW take a hit. Mr. Azinheira said he based the cost on the amount of
gas and use by each department.
Mr. Ratliff asked about the department's rental budget. Mr. Azinheira said they have
budgeted for the rental of a tub grinder.
Mr. Dentino asked if Mr. Azinheira had two quotes, and asked how many times and for
how long the existing generator has failed. He noted the Light Department has a couple
of generators that are not used. Mr. Azinheira said he has looked at those generators, and
he thinks they are too small. Mr. Dentin said there had been discussion about using the
Light Department generators when the Wastewater Treatment Plant lost power. He said
he would like Mr. Azinheira to contact the Light Department about leasing one of their
generators. Mr. Azinheira said the DPW would need priority if the only available
generator belongs to the Light Department. Mr. McClanahan suggested leaving the
details to Mr. Azinheira and Mr. Babin.
Mr. Costa explained his three requests all work together (equipment for data storage
$46,500; server hardware $15,564.54; and server software $16,637.00). The data storage
equipment is being requested because the town hall is trying to go to a virtualization of
servers. The two servers are for the Light Department and North Main Street Fire
Station. Both buildings have generators, but will not have to purchase additional servers
because these two will do the work of 20 servers. MIS will be able to switch from one to
the other seamlessly.
Ms. Lavin asked if this would allow for offsite backup. Mr. Costa explained they would
be more for disaster recovery. Mr. Ricico said this would address the auditors' concerns
about not having a disaster recovery plan.
Mr. Trowbridge asked how much is available in the account; Mr. Costa said there is
$170,000 from the FIOS deal with the cable company. Ms. Lavin asked if there are
projects earmarked for the FIOS money. Mr. Costa said the FIOS money is supposed to
go toward video, and this equipment will be used to store video. Mr. Costa said after the
purchase, there will be $102,000 left in the account.
Mr. Trowbridge asked if this money could be used for the Police Department's phone
system. Mr. Costa said he wasn't sure it could be, because the FIOS money is supposed
to be spent on systems with video capacity. Mr. Riccio said he would be meeting with
the Police Department to discuss the phone system issues.
Mr. Dentin said if there is $170,000 now, there won't be $102,000 after this
expenditure, but rather it would be closer to $92,000. Mr. Costa said the funding would
come from several accounts, with $11-12,000 coming from sources other than FIOS.
Ms. Lavin suggested getting a formal approval to use the FIOS money for these proposed
purchases, and getting approval from the auditors to spend the money and an assurance
that this equipment will meet their requirements.
Mr. Dentino asked the life expectancy; Mr. Costa said the servers should last 10 years.
Mr. Ratliff said the proposal makes sense, as most companies are moving toward virtual
data storage. He asked what other towns are using their FIOS money for; Mr. Costa said
Easton and Canton are studying the use of this type of storage.
Mr. Verrochi asked where the town would be at in 10 years, and said the system can be
upgraded in the future.
Motion: To approve the purchase of equipment for data storage $46,500; server
hardware $15,564.54; and server software $16,637.00 with the understanding that Mr.
Costa will obtain a letter from the auditor stating that this system addresses his concern
and from the attorney who negotiated the FIGS deal that the funds may be used in this
manner. (Trowbridge -Ratliff) Six in favor. One opposed. PASSES
Motion: To reappoint Ms. Lavin as chair (Trowbridge -Miller) All in favor. PASSES
Motion: To appoint Mr. Verrochi as vice chair
(Trowbridge -Miller) All in favor. PASSES
Motion: To adjourn at 7.30 p.m. (Trowbridge-Jodice) All in favor. PASSES
Date 4next meeting: January 12, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
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