HomeMy WebLinkAboutCapital Improvements 03/14/2006Capital Improvements Committee
Minutes of March 14, 2006 r
Present: Kenneth Gay, MBC, Chair; David McCarter, Board of Selectmen--- drgs
Gazzolo and Charlene Lavin, Finance Committee; John DeMassi and Kenneth orman,
Planning Board; Mike Trowbridge and Jean Miller, School Committee
John D'Agostino, Town Manager; Shaun P. Burke, Director of Planning and
Development
Motion: To appoint Mr. Gay Chairman
Annual Town Meeting will be May 16, 2006
PASSES
Dr. Torman said he understood from last year that there would be no CIP this year after
the town bonded a significant amount to purchase equipment. He said nothing on this
year's list appears to be of an emergency nature. He said staff made a promise last year
not to come back, and this list does not honor that commitment. He said the committee
agreed to give $1 million a year.
Dr. Torman stated that he would like to make a motion not to fund any CIP requests this
year. Mr. D'Agostino said the committee didn't agree to $1 million a year, the money
was bonded, and there have been a couple of years with no CIP.
Mr. Trowbridge suggested sending a memo to staff requesting they revisit and
reprioritize their requests. Mr. Gazzolo agreed, but suggested the committee go through
the list, tonight anyway.
Mr. DeMassi said the committee had asked for all equipment requests last year.
The committee discussed the security access system for both Fire Stations. Mr.
D'Agostino said there is an issue with too many keys to Town Hall being in circulation.
Dr. Torman said $75,000 is a lot of money for a system that may not be an emergency
issue.
Mr. Gazzolo said he is concerned about the commitment made last year not to do CIP this
year. He said with the current projected deficit, the town needs to look at the highest
priorities, like buildings and classrooms.
The committee discussed the vehicle replacement policy. Police cars are included in the
Police Department's operating budget.
Mr. McCarter said he was not on the committee last year and that he wants to hear the
staff presentations.
Dr. Torman said the town should be putting money away for capital needs every year.
Mr. Gazzolo said the town may not have money to put away every year. Mr. D'Agostino
said the town cannot afford not to fund CIP, because it would result in higher borrowing
needs in subsequent years.
Mr. Gazzolo said the Commonwealth's proposed budget adds $1 million to Mansfield,
but the town has a projected $4.8 million deficit now, looking at the governor's proposed
budget. Mr. D'Agostino said some items need to be funded and the committee needs to
hear the requests.
Mr. DeMassi said the committee really should hear from staff; he said he wants to
understand staff's needs.
Dr. Torman withdrew his motion not to fund any CIP requests this year
Mr. Gazzolo asked the Town Manager to identify his top priority items. Mr. D'Agostino
said the Police Department needs radios. Mr. Gay said radios were purchased 7-8 years
ago. Mr. D'Agostino said radios were purchased five years ago, and every department
except Police go new ones. He said he wants to bring the Police Department to 400 mhz
band to allow communications between all departments. He said this request is the first
priority for the town.
Mr. DeMassi asked the condition of the existing Police Department radios; Mr.
D'Agostino said replacement parts do not exist for the existing system.
Mr. D'Agostino said his second priority is the carpeting at Town Hall, and his third is the
exhaust hood at the Police Station.
The committee discussed the proposed artificial turf field on the Hutcheson property.
Mr. Gay stated extensive work has been done on the natural surface field, including an
well, irrigation system and building.
Mr. Gay suggested asking staff for supporting documentation of where their numbers
came from.
The committee discussed placing replacement vehicles into departmental operating
budgets, similar to the Police Department replacing cruisers.
Mr. Gazzolo suggested keeping items in the Capital Plan because when capital items
were wrapped into the operating budgets, there were inconsistencies in the budgets. He
said by keeping capital items in the capital plan, they are easier to track and the operating
budgets are more consistent.
Mr. Trowbridge asked for a summary of what was requested and funded last year.
adjourn at 7:30 p.m. (Torman-Gazzolo) All in favor. PASSES
Date of next meeting: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.
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ure of Charr of Approval