2011-03-CEC-ATM-rpt - Laserfiche WebLink

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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2011 ATM there under Articles 16(b) & 17(c); funded there under Article 5). Funding for Phase 1, of a 3-phase implementation plan, was included in the FY2011 capital budget, but as that study had not been fully vetted, Town Meeting Indefinitely Postponed the Article. Funding for Phase 1 will not be requested in the FY2012 budget since the Town Manager deferred the project. Fire Hydrant System The Town of Lexington has approximately 1,500 hydrants in its fire-protection system. To maintain an effective system, approximately 25 hydrants must be replaced every year. Costs for hydrant replacement are evenly divided between Tax Levy funds and Water Enterprise Funds. (See Article 10(h)) Dam Repair The State Department of Conservation and Recreation mandates inspection every three years of dams that are rated significant hazard dams. The Butterfield Dam on Lowell Street is one such dam. The inspection in FY2011 led to the proposed capital project. (See Article 10(a)) Pedestrian Signal Improvements Many of the Town's pedestrian signals at street crossings are outdated and, sometimes,malfunctioning. FY2012 request for Town wide Signalization Improvements provides for updated pedestrian signals at Bedford Street/Hill Street/Revere Street intersection. (See Article 10(m)) There is also a project in the Traffic Mitigation arena that provides for installation of a high visibility pedestrian crossing on Waltham Street in the vicinity of Brookhaven. (See Article 10(n)) Storm-Water Drainage System Storm drains which line the Town's streets occasionally fail due to heavy loads passing over them and/or loss of supporting soil around them, creating holes in the street. In addition, as streets are repaired and repaved, it is frequently discovered that the storm-drainage system is seriously deteriorated. Concurrent drainage system repairs are required to prevent further deterioration of an unsafe condition and to protect newly paved secondary streets. It is also necessary, some times,to study and repair drains where overflow conditions develop and/or complaints are received. The FY2012 request funds such repairs and, also, works toward compliance with new Storm water Phase II regulations,which require increased monitoring and testing of storm water. (See Article 10(c)) Storm Water Management State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations require the Town to maintain its 18 brooks, three watersheds, and its numerous wetlands in a condition such that they do not reduce the volume of water that can be handled by our storm-drainage systems. Sediment and broken tree limbs impede the flow of water and cause flooding and damage to private property, thus creating liabilities for the Town. The FY2012 request is to begin the design of improvements to the Charles River Watershed as recommended in the engineer's report submitted at the end of phase one of the three-phase watershed study funded in FY2010 (described there under Articles 15(c)). (See Article 10(1)) Wastewater System The wastewater(sanitary-sewer) system, like the water-distribution system, has sections that date back to the early 1900s. Due to age-related deterioration, some sections are susceptible to storm-water infiltration and with deficient pumping causing overloading of parts of the system. There is an ongoing program of replacing and repairing sections of the system. 24