2007-04-23-ATM-AC-rpt3 - Laserfiche WebLink

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APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE 3rd REPORT, April 23, 2007, TO 2007 ATM Warrant Article Analysis and Recommendations ArtlCle 36: Funds Re uested q Funding Committee Appropriate for Source Recommendation PUb11C ~OrkS $25,180,000 Excluded Debt $25,180,000 (9-0) Facility Preface Under this Article, the Town is being requested to appropriate additional funding to complete the design, the construction, and all other aspects of a new facility for the Town's Department of Public Works (DPW) on the site of the current complex at 201 Bedford Street. The new facility would collocate all of the DPW administration, the Town's Engineering Department (which is part of DPW), and the municipal and non-school-based schools facility maintenance personnel with the DPW operations work force. If approved by Town Meeting and the voters, all the funding for the project-past and future-could become excluded debt as provided for in Proposition 21/2. We believe the Town-including elected officials, staff, and residents-are in nearly universal agreement on many facts about the DPW facility. In particular, that the current facility is at least 20 years past what should have been its "end of life." The DPW work force labors in an environment that fails to meet building codes and in many ways adversely impacts the potential for improved productivity. Beyond just failing to accommodate workers and visitors-whether residents or contractors-with disabilities, there is an unwelcoming and inefficient interface between the staff and the public. As a consequence, the current facility adversely affects the DPW's ability to provide public service. We do not believe it is being too harsh or blunt to say the current facility is a disgrace. We also believe there are many other aspects of our DPW (and thus its facility needs) that may not be as well appreciated and, thus, understate the importance of bringing the DPW facility into the 21St century. First and foremost is that the nature and breadth of the DPW's responsibilities. Whether directly or indirectly, its activities affect each and every resident, every day and every hour-or as is said today, "24/7". So whether it's plowing, sanding, or maintenance of streets and highways; maintaining public grounds including parks, athletic fields, and cemeteries; ensuring handling of trash, recycling, and household waste; maintaining water, sanitary sewer, and storm drain systems; maintaining municipal buildings; or ensuring transportation services including LEXPRESS; we all depend on the DPW all the time. Furthermore, the DPW is afull-fledged partner, along with the Police and Fire Departments and key Town staff and elected officials, on the Town's emergency-services team. Whether it's keeping the roads open during a weather emergency, restoring water and wastewater services, clearing downed trees, pumping out flooded homes or areas, or a host of other operations, the DPW is absolutely essential to the well-being of our Town. Recent History of this Project Preliminary planning and design efforts for a new DPW facility commenced in earnest with the approval of a $720,000 appropriation by the 2005 Annual Town Meeting. The planning was, and still is, being led by the Permanent Building Committee (PBC) at the direction of the Board of Selectmen. After a long process, with a number of public hearings and meetings to get input from the DPW staff (for their programmatic needs) and from neighbors and other citizens, a plan for a new facility was presented to the