HomeMy WebLinkAboutCapital Improvements 03/27/2007,l c11VED
Capital Improvements Committee 07 APR -5 4 9
Minutes of March 27, 2007
Present: Kenneth Gay, MBC, Chair; David McCarter, Board of Selec t -Kemietbl..0
Torman, Planning Board; Charlene Lavin, Finance Committee; Mike M6 i6k T T S
Jean Miller, School Committee I ANao 3a1.dAAA w. C Sbzs
John D'Agostino, Town Manager; Shaun P. Burke, Director of Planning and
Development
Bea Kearney, Town Accountant; Louis Costa, MIS Director; Robert Bellavance, Fire
Chief; Jim Puleo, Deputy Fire Chief
records two accounts, salary and expense. However, the School Department must report
individual accounts. By posting to one chart, we will not have to reconcilebetween the
school and the town. The Department of Education requires the School Department to
report far more accounts than must the town.
Once the initial purchase is made, there will be no additional maintenance contract cost.
Consultants will spend approximately one week coordinating data, the invoice history
and creating a bridge between the town and the school.
Mr. Trowbridge asked how often this would be updated. It will be updated as part of
maintenance.
Ms. Lavin said the purpose of this system is to be more efficient, not to reduce
employees. She said it will eliminate duplication of effort and save manhours, but
eliminating staff position(s)'is now unknown. t
Fiber Optics - $95,000
Mr. Costa explained $95,000 more is needed for the fiber optic project.
Mr. D'Agostino explained most of the work to date has been done in-house and if we had
gone out, it would have cost far more. 'Mr. Costa said North Attleboro did a similar
project and it cost $1.8 million. He said this project is better and has saved the town $2
million.
Ms. Miller asked if the potential change at the Roland Green school will effect the cost.
Mr. D'Agostino said we really don't know what will be happening so we don't know if it
will effect cost.
Mr. Trowbridge asked what the town and schools would get when this project is done.
Mr. Costa said there will be voice-over IP and 18 fiber lines to each building. He said the
schools and town will remain separate networks. Voice over IP should save money on
phone calls.
The Fire Department is not hooked up yet; they are currently using a wireless network.
The fiber optic network would be the primary one, with wireless secondary.
Dr. Torman asked what the advantage of going wireless would be. Mr. Costa said fiber is
much faster.
Ms. Lavin asked what the benefit is to the fiber system. Mr. Costa said it will be more
secure. Mr. D'Agostino said the town has committed to the project and wants to
complete it. He said it provides better security and a better data link.
Dr. Torman said he is concerned about spending money the town doesn't have on
technology that will soon be outmoded. Mr. Costa said he does not agree the technology
will be obsolete.
1. Chief Bellavance explained the department's request for $65,000 to replace the sewer
pipe under the floor in Plymouth Street fire station. The main sewer pipe in Plymouth
Street has settled, and the main now backs up into the station. Mr. Trowbridge asked if a
grinder pump could be used., The response was that the issue is really one of continual
staffing and the unknown issue of a void under the floor.
2. North Main Street exhaust system - $40,000. This was installed in the late 1980s -
early 1990s and is not efficient. The new system can be removed and put into the East
Mansfield station.
3. Rescue 32 (new ambulance) - $89,000. Each ambulance lasts two years on the front
line and two years as a backup. Chief Bellavance explained the new mall project will add
approximately 225 EMS runs and the new apartment complexes will generate
approximately 100 runs each. The $89,000 is half of what is needed and the Fire
Department will be requesting the balance in 2009. There is approximately $25,000 in
the ambulance fund and it is possible that private grants and donations will account for
the funding balance.
4. Engine 3 $193,000. The department has a 1984 and a 1996 pumper. The 1996
pumper has used the department's entire maintenance budget for the year and is the truck
that needs to be replaced. The 1984 pumper is in better shape. They are using a 1982
pumper while the 1996 pumper is being repaired.
The committee discussed the fact that on a fire call, the department sends out two pumper
trucks, one ambulance and the tower truck.
The three year equipment replacement schedule is approximately $600,000, with an 8%
increase per year. Outright purchase will save $100,000.
5. Auto Pulse Resuscitator. This equipment adjusts for factors like gender, weight, age,
etc. when performing chest compressions during CPR.
6. Thermal Imaging Cameras — The department has two cameras, which were
approximately $22,000 when purchased. A new camera costs $12,000 and they want to
replace the existing cameras, purchased in 2000, with three new cameras. The new
cameras are smaller, lighter and far more technically advanced. The existing cameras
have been discontinued and will not be supported after June 2007.
Chief Bellavance explained the other items are lesser priorities.
7. 1998 Ford Explorer
8. Vehicle Extrication Tools
9. Opticom system at all intersections in town
10. Security access at Plymouth Street fire station
Mr. Gay asked the chief to assist the committee in long-range planning by putting the life
expectancy of all equipment on a spreadsheet.
Minutes March 20, 2007
Motion: To approve as submitted (Torman-Lavin) All in favor. PASSES
Mr. Gay suggested a planning session and suggested paying off equipment in half of its
life expectancy.
The committee discussed borrowing to fund CIP, short-term versus long-term. The cost
of borrowing must be included when evaluating borrowing as an option.
Mr. D'Agostino said the useful life of all equipment must be identified to allow the town
to estimate replacement costs and schedule borrowing to accommodate.
Motion: To adjourn at 7:55 p.m. (Torman-McCarter)
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Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. Room 3 a/b
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Signature of Chairman Date of Approval