HomeMy WebLinkAboutCapital Improvements 01/20/1994CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS COMMITTEE
MINUTES JANUARY 20, 1994
PRESENT: Marvdee Flvnn, Lawrence Carpenter, David McCarter,
Ralph Penney, Joe Pasquale, Phi]. Smith
William F. Williams, Town Manager
Shaun P. Burke, Director of Planning and Development
Greg Cauldwe.l.l, Marilyn Powers, Richard Lewis, Leonard Flynn,
Daniel Clifford
1. Meeting called to order at 7:35 P.M.
2. Conservation Commission
Greg Cauldwell requested the committee support the
Conservation Commission's request for $100,000 to be used
for acquiring land in Great Woods. He said he would like
to have the Town's money in place when the next state
grant funding round for open space acquisition is
available. Marilyn Powers agreed.
Ralph Penney asked how much money is currently available
for the Conservation Commission. Mr. Caul -dwell responded
there is $50,000 currently available in a land
acquisition account.
Leonard Flynn added that the Natural Resource Trust has
been working for years to acquire land in Great Woods.
Because the Conservation Commission's grant application
will be a regional application, and therefore may be
funded more rapidly, the town should demonstrate its
commitment to the Great Woods preservation by allocating
funds to leverage the grant application.
Mr. Pennev inquired if the NRT has parcels identified for
acquisition. Mr. Flynn stated yes, the central part of
the Great Woods area had been identified.
Ms. Powers said it is important to have town acquisition
funds available when land comes on the real estate
market, which is sometimes right after property tax bills
come out.
Mr. Penney stated land acquisition is a great idea, but
asked if there were other things the Conservation
Commission should be spending its money on, such as
maintenance.
Richard Lewis replied that several accounts existed,
containing approximately $2,700 for gates, signage, and
maintenance.
Mr. Penney asked if grant funds at a ratio of 8 to 1 or
10 to 1 would really be available. Mr. Flvnn responded
that state representatives are working on the grant
funds, as are local people, including Selectman Joseph
Pasquale.
Mr. Pasquale concluded the committee should consider
support for the $100,000 request because people have been
concerned about the Great Woods and it has been a real
focus of preservation efforts during the past several
years.
3. Department of Public Works
Dan Clifford began by saving the DPW was requesting
$10,000 for an infrared patching machine, which would be
used for street trench repair. The new machine would
triple the area done by the existing machine in the same
time and reduce the current cost by one-third. Mr.
Clifford stated that it would cost the Town approximately
$1,500 per day to hire a subcontractor to do the same
job.
Mr. Pasquale asked if the savings from charges at the
recycling facility might be used to pay for the
acquisition of the machine.
Mr. Williams responded by saying it could if the Finance
Committee supported a transfer between accounts near the
end of the fiscal year.
Mr. Pasquale asked if the machine is the DPW's number one
priority. Mr. Clifford responded it is. Mr. Clifford
stated his second priority is $25,000 for one submersible
pump this year and one submersible pump next year to be
used at the North Main Street underpass to keep the road
clear of water. He also said he was requesting a one -ton
dump truck that would cost $28,000.
Mr. Pasquale asked if there was any
trucks. Mr. Clifford said truck #3
approximately $1,000 on a trade-in.
Mr. Penney asked what the level of
hydraulic licenses was at the DPW.
his department does not have anyone
engineer level.
4. Parks and Recreation Department
trade-in value on the
might be worth
employees with
Mr. Clifford stated
at the hydraulic
Mr. Clifford went on to discuss requests of the Parks and
Recreation Department, beginning with the Plymouth Street
Field, for which $100,000 is being requested. The
baseball/softball field, costing approximately 550,000;
the jogging area $10,000; the concession stand with
restrooms $25,000; and a 25% irrigation system and well
$15,000.
Mr. Pennev inquired about the potential for getting
donations for that project from local businesses. Mr.
McCarter said the Rotary Club is planning to run a Las
Vegas night, with the proceeds going to the Plymouth
Street project.
Mr. Clifford detailed the significant amount of voluntary
site work and materials contributed by the business
community thus far.
Mr. Penney asked how much was left from the $50,000 the
Parks and Recreation Department received last year. Mr.
Clifford said there was $15,000 balance in the town's
Plymouth Street Capital Improvements account and $3,000
left in a gift account.
Mr. Clifford said the Parks and Recreation Department was
also requesting $17,500 for a diesel tractor for the
Plymouth Street facility. The tractor used to be used on
the additional 12 acres of land formerly maintained by
Parks and Recreation and now maintained by the DPW.
Mr. Pasquale suggested the possibility of sharing
equipment with the School Department be explored.
5. Adjournment
Adjournment at 9:00 P.M.
Date of next meeting: January 27, 1994