HomeMy WebLinkAboutCapital Improvements 04/15/2008Capital Improvements Committee
Minutes of April 15, 2008
Present: Charlene Lavin, Chair; Jack Goldberg, Finarfi�a MMfltee, Ann Baldwin and
George Dentino, Board of Selectmen; Mike McCi`a ari, ftaiir i1V1Fd@e, Jean Miller
and Michael Trowbridge, School Committee; Ma {Doherty MBC
John D'Agostino, Town Manager; Shaun P. Burk lr66t6r1of �ajiiQand
Development F,
Fire Chief Neal Boldriehini and Jim Puleo: PoliceXbidArthur 01 leill
Minutes April 1, 2008
Motion: To approve as submitted (Trowbridge -Miller) All in favor. PASSES
Minutes March 25, 2008
Motion: To approve as submitted
(Miller -Trowbridge) Six in favor. One abstention. PASSES
Minutes March 4, 2008
Motion: To approve as submitted (Trowbridge -Doherty) All in favor. PASSES
He said the department needs two engines. Engine 2 is a 1984 pumper and was
refurbished in 1996. He said the engine has a 25 -year lifespan. The truck has 43,419
miles and needs brakes and an alignment, which would cost $15-20,000. He said the
"engine needs to be 100% effective 100% of the time." The chief said the engine may
last.
Engine 3 is a 1996 pumper in poor condition. They spent $15-16,000 on maintenance two
years ago and $30,000 last year, and it broke down last year. The truck has 88,600 miles.
The chief explained lead time for a new fire engine in one year. The committee
discussed the length of time from the order to delivery.
The committee discussed how changes in the town's ISO rates are effected by a number
of things, including equipment, staff and water supply. To improve the ISO rating, the
town needs four engines (there are currently three) and two ladders (there is currently
one). Failure to maintain current levels may effect the town's ISO rates and
homeowners' insurance rates may increase.
The committee discussed why an engine follows on every ambulance call. The chief
explained the need to multi -task because they don't have the staff and equipment to send
another, smaller truck.
The chief explained the condition of the three engines: Engine 4 is in the best condition;
Engine 2 is in good condition; and Engine 3 is in poor condition. He said there are two
firefighters on each engine, one engine is kept in reserve, and one engine is used on all
building fires. Approximately 60% of the runs go out of the North Main Street station.
Engine 4 and the ladder truck are kept at Plymouth Street, Engine 3 at North Main Street,
and Engine 2 on reserve at North Main Street.
The committee discussed Engines 2 and 3 lasting until the new trucks can be ordered and
delivered. The chief said Engine 3 won't last a year, and Engine 2 might, unless it has to
make the number of runs that Engine 3 makes.
The committee discussed the condition of the North Main Street fire station. The chief
said it is old, small and needs an exhaust system. He said there is soot covering the walls,
the roof leaks in several areas and there is inadequate storage space. The doors have to
be widened and the height raised, there are no designated female quarters and the
building is not ADA compliant.
The chief said an East Mansfield station would reduce run time to that part of town.
The chief said all of his requests are Priority 1; the two engines plus building
improvements or the engines with a new structure.
The Fire Department has researched equipment that will fit into the North Main Street
fire station. There are only six manufacturers of fire equipment in the country, and two
Penice and Seagrave, build a truck that will carry the necessary equipment and fit into the
station. The chief said the Seagrave truck would fit better.
The chief said the two new engines would be custom-built, and they would recycle a lot
of the existing equipment.
The chief explained the North Main Street fire station exhaust system is high on his list.
He said the request to replace the overhead doors ($500,000) would go away with a
custom engine that will fit in the existing building. The chief said the exhaust system
would cost $45,900, less than originally estimated.
The chief said they would need to begin the 25% design of the new East Mansfield fire
station in the fall. There will be new EPA and FPA regulations that will come into play
next year and add approximately $20-30,000.
The chief said the delivery date for the two new engines would be the same, but noted
they will need to be replaced at the same time, which would create a replacement
problem down the road. He said the $563,000 includes equipment. There was discussion
about the cost savings if two engines are ordered at once. The chief said he has not
prepared the bid specs. The committee asked for additional information for the April 29
meeting, including cost savings for ordering two engines instead of one, and about
recycling existing equipment.
1. Chief O'Neill said his first priority is the police station security system, which does
not record calls and the door card system is failing. Replacement will cost approximately
$16,000.
2. Server and cruiser video system, which is a wireless system from cruisers to the
server. The video systems have to be replaced in 11 cruisers at $5,000 each. The cruiser
video system will be $55,000 and the server $30-35,000. The chief said this should be
seen as a cost avoidance acquisition versus the cost of a lawsuit. He said the longevity of
the system is approximately five -plus years, which should be longer than the current
system.
3. Unmarked van, $25,000. The chief said the old 1996 van could be given to another
department, like Recreation.
4. Car 49, a 1997 Ford Expedition with 76,580 miles, carries things like weigh scales
and accident reconstruction equipment. It could be surplussed to another department and
would be replaced with a four-wheel drive vehicle.
5. Radar Units at $1,950 per unit for a total of $15,600
6. Motorcycles to replace 1995 and 2000 models at $18,000 each. The chief said the
bikes have a trade-in value of $6,000 each, making the total $25,500. The committee
discussed the mileage on the bikes and how many current officers use them (4-5, plus the
chief), and the possibility of replacing just one, the 1995 bike, for $12,725.
7. Police Station Furniture — some has been replaced through grants, and the balance is
second hand.
The committee will discuss funding options (bonding vs. raise & appropriate) at the next
meeting, April 29. The following meeting will be May12 at 6:30 p.m.
Motion: To adjourn at 8:30 p.m. (Trowbridge -Miller) All in favor. PASSES
Date of next meeting: April 29, 2008 at 6:30 p.m., Room 3 a/b
Signaturedf-Chairman t Date of Approval