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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCapital Improvements 02/01/1996CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE MINUTES - FEBRUARY 1, 1996 nor ,,, p. �� PRESENT: Bill Antoine, Amos Robinson, Doug Ronald, Jerry t 1�1Ii1 f', u , William F. Williams, Town Manager Shaun P. Burke, Director of Planning and Development � r � �, Christopher Marion, Assistant to the Town Manager Andy Gazzolo, Finance Committee Dan Clifford, DPW Director Lorilee Fish, Recreation Director John Buckley, Water Operations Manager Ed Sliney, Fire Chief Lee Azinheira, Town Engineer Richard Lewis, Conservation and Environmental Planner Shirley Hanlon, Conservation Commission Leonard Flynn, Trust for Public Land Finance Committee The committee had a discussion with Mr. Gazollo about the Finance Committee's position regarding the capital budget. Chairman Robinson asked if the number acceptable to the Finance Committee is $150,000 or $300,000. Mr. Gazollo suggested minimizing input into the capital budget, and instead moving it into the operating budget, noting revenue growth has been seven percent, with budget growth at 11 percent. Chairman Robinson said the committee needed to work with the Finance Committee to keep the Capital Improvements budget at $300,000. Mr. Gazollo said his committee did not take the $300,000 out; it is still in, but in a different budget totaling $Z million. He suggested asking for the top $150,000 priorities, and the second $150,000. Mr. Ronald asked where the $300,000 is coming from, and was told it would come from utilization of the stabilization account. Mr. Gazollo said no stabilization cash is being used for the capital budget, and the budget projecting shows an operating shortfall in 1999 and he was concerned about finding some way to meet that need. Mr. Ronald asked what the Finance Committee's position is regarding the Mill Pond Dam and fluoridation. Mr. Gazollo responded that if the items are reimbursable, the Finance Committee is willing to fund them out of the stabilization account. Chairman Robinson said the committee would move forward with the $300,000 budget. 2. Parks and Recreation Lorilee Fish and Dan Clifford discussed the Plymouth Street recreation fields. Fifty thousand dollars a year over three years is needed for the completion of five tennis courts, clearing, earth removal, and paving. The committee was told that to keep the project's momentum going, a minimum of $25,000 per year is necessary. Memorial Park - The request is for $160,000, with no changes projected, but some minimum level of funding is required. Football Field - $200,004210,000 is needed to complete the project. Mr. Clifford said they were asking for $50,000 at this time. Mr. Ronald said the funds should be sufficient to complete the phase currently under construction. Ms. Fish said she would like to keep the Rails to Trails request in the budget because it may get a funding opportunity, as she had filed the preliminary grant application. Swimming Pool - $30,000 is needed to do a site evaluation in order to locate the site. Mr. Ronald suggested evaluating available land. Ms. Fish said her department could wait until next year for the van she had requested 3. Water Department John Buckley, Water Operations Manager, said he had five requests, including painting the Oxford tank and a truck compressor. Mr. Buckley said the current truck is a 1987 model with 100,000 miles on it and is in need of $3-4,000 in repairs. He said the water operations fund of $392,694 may be used to acquire the truck. Mr. Buckley also requested $85,000 for a computer system which would be used to operate pumps. Mr. St. Hillaire said that would be a good project. Mr. Buckley said the last time the water tank was painted was in 1986, and the altitude valve is frozen open. He recommended that cost could be bonded. Mr. Ronald asked if Mr. Buckley would rate that project as a priority; Mr. Buckley said he would. Mr. Buckley suggested an engineering and inspection survey could be done now to get better cost numbers. Mr. Buckley said the water main projects would be in two phases and distributed a handout describing the activities. Phase One would involve larger pipes of 12 and 16 inches. Phase Two would involve smaller pipes of eight and 12 inches. Mr. Williams said he thought the priority should be the water tank. 4. Land Acquisition Dick Lewis, Environmental and Conservation Planner, discussed the open space bond bill, which would open new funding options and possibly a broader range of grants. He said one reason the town was able to get a grant for the purchase of the Scott land was because of the availability of local funds to leverage the state grant. Mr. Flynn began a discussion of open space in the Canoe River Aquifer green belt, saying there are five grants available, but all require local matching funds. He said the amount required to be eligible would be at least the cost of appraisal and a deposit. Ms. Hanlon said these issues are important reasons to work on land acquisition. Mr. Ronald asked what the town's contribution would be. Mr. Flynn said it would vary; Self Help grants require 50 percent town contribution, but other grants require less. Mr. St. Hillaire asked if the land in question contained buildable lots and whether there was the possibility of trading town -owned land for buildable lots. Mr. Flynn said the minimum town contribution would be $15,000, which is not enough for acquisition, but may cover appraisal and deposit costs. 5. Mill Pond Dam and Inflow and Infiltration Mill Pond - Town Engineer Lee Azinheira said the open space bill has been signed, but bonding is over a number of years, and he is still unsure is this is a reimbursable or an up -front grant. He said all the necessary permits have been applied for, with the water quality permit next, now that the Order of Conditions has been forwarded to the state. Mr. St. Hillaire was concerned about raising the level of the pond and its potential effects on the Prescott Wells, and the potential need for filtration systems if the water builds up too high. Inflow and Infiltration - Mr. Azinheira explained inflow is water entering the system from the surface, while infiltration is water entering the system from the ground. He said recent rains and snow melt have resulted in very high levels of inflow and infiltration, and suggested there may a need to implement connection charges. Mr. Ronald asked if the new charges for connection would be applied in Foxboro and Norton. Mr. Azinheira said they would not. The committee discussed the small sewer extension article and decided funding for the small sewers ($150,000) should come out of rate payers, not all taxpayers. Discussion of revolving accounts followed. Mr. Ronald said inflow and infiltration in the small sewers should come from ratepayers and all taxpayers. 6. Fire Department Chief Ed Sliney discussed the air pack compressor he requested. Mr. Williams asked i r the department had checked on sharing the air packs with other towns. Chief Sliney said Norton is not replacing their unit, while Easton is buying a compressor for 4.5 packs, but there is an issue of paying overtime rates. Adjournment - 9:20 P.M. Date of next meeting: Thursday, February 8, 1996 at 6:30 P.M.