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APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE - NOVEMBER 2015 STM #2 Article 4: Appropriate for Water System Improvements Funds Requested Funding Source Committee Recommendation $2,500,000 Water EF Debt, Retained earnings Approve (9 -0) The Department of Public Works (DPW) seeks an appropriation of $2,500,000 to repair and replace aging, unlined water mains underlying the East Lexington portion of Massachusetts Avenue. The DPW is advanc- ing this project so that the work can be completed next year, before the commencement of the major road- way and intersection upgrade project that is being considered by the Board of Selectmen, with state fund- ing, for this section of Massachusetts Avenue. Lexington's town water system, originally installed in the late 1800's and early 1900's, utilized unlined cast iron pipe which was the state of the art at the time. While unlined pipe can last for many years, it even- tually oxidizes, becomes clogged with deposits or "tubercles," and can be susceptible to pinhole leaks. For many years now, the DPW has been engaged in an annual program of refurbishing or replacing the Town's unlined water mains, section by section, with pipe (originally cast iron and most recently more durable duc- tile iron) lined with cement. The lined pipe has improved corrosion resistance and should have a life ex- pectancy of a century or more. The replacement project, which has involved an investment of approxi- mately $900,000 each year, is now about 95% complete. The water mains underlying the eastern portion of Massachusetts Avenue (roughly from the Arlington Town line to Woburn Street) represent one of the last segments of the town -wide pipe replacement program remaining to be done. This will be a particularly challenging project because of traffic congestion in the area; the existence of double sets of pipes along most of the route (one pipe on each side of the street to facilitate residential and business connections); and the age of the pipe, some of which dates back to 1896. Although there is no water quality problem at this time, testing has shown extensive oxidation and crystal- lization of the iron pipe walls and consequent risk of pinholes and stress cracking. Given the extensive excavation that will be required to replace the water mains, it makes sense to complete that work before commencement of the state - funded roadway upgrade project on the portion of Massachu- setts Avenue from Pleasant Street to Marrett Road, which is anticipated to begin as early as the spring of 2017. This will avoid interference with the roadway reconstruction work and obviate any need to reopen the street after it has been permanently resurfaced. The project costs are proposed to be financed by a combination of borrowing and an appropriation of $400,000 from the water fund's retained earnings, which currently have a balance of approximately $1,786,659. Future debt service costs will be borne by the water enterprise fund and included in the water rates. Advancing this appropriation to the fall special town meeting may make it unnecessary to include some or all of the usual $900,000 appropriation for water main replacement in the FY2017 water fund budget to be approved at next spring's annual town meeting. The Committee recommends approval of this request (7 -0). Article 5: Appropriate for Property Improvements - 241 Grove Street Funds Requested Funding Source Committee Recommendation $200,000 CPA Approve (9 -0) In 2014, Town Meeting appropriated CPA funds for the purchase of an approximately one -acre portion of the Wright Farm property on Grove Street. The parcel is adjacent to the main portion of the Farm that was acquired a few years earlier, which is now Town -owned conservation land. The house is to be turned over 4