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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2016 ATM
<br />(Fire Department 5 -Year Capital Appropriation History has been combined with the Police Department
<br />History as many appropriations are for the joint benefit of both Departments. That combined
<br />Public - Safety History is after the following Police Department narrative.)
<br />Police
<br />The Lexington Police Department (LPD), which provides public safety services through a team of
<br />dedicated police officers, detectives, dispatchers and support staff, is supported by the Town's Capital
<br />Program in the areas of communication systems, computer systems, and improvements to the facilities in
<br />which it is housed and trained.
<br />The FY2017 Capital Budget contains one joint request with the Fire Department. (See above). A new
<br />firing range at the Hartwell Ave compost site has been contemplated for several years in order to meet
<br />current firearms training requirements and the needs of modern police work, as well ensuring readiness to
<br />respond to weapons currently on the streets — $50,000 of D &E was appropriated last year toward
<br />development of a new facility. This Committee looks forward to the results of that study and the follow -
<br />on request for construction — currently expected in FY2018.
<br />With regard to a renovation and add -on to the existing Police Station located at 1575 Massachusetts
<br />Avenue, the Town's planning now has the D &E funding in FY2019, with construction funding in
<br />FY2020 —each a year earlier than the scheduling of the TBDs when the Brown Book was published. This
<br />Committee's capital plan uses that same, latest, scheduling. Beyond correcting very basic needs due to
<br />overcrowding and functional inadequacy, the renovation of the police station will include other necessary
<br />enhancements. For instance, the Police Department must substantially improve its ability to process
<br />fingerprints with a larger fuming tank and replacement of the smaller tank. (Standing alone, these costs
<br />would exceed $25,000.) Because this upgrade requires a larger lab and building design to support the use,
<br />it will be incorporated into the Police Station renovation project.
<br />The Federal Government has mandated that public -safety agencies (including Lexington's Police and Fire
<br />Departments) will be required to move their radio -band frequency from the current 400 band, to the 800
<br />band. This will require a complete replacement of radio equipment, including hand held, mobile, and base
<br />stations. The radio system was upgraded and changed in 1994, at a cost of over $1 million. A change to
<br />the new frequency band will be a capital project affecting both the Police and Fire Departments. The
<br />departments are currently studying how best to comply with the new mandates. Cost estimates will follow
<br />once the scope and timing of the project is clearly defined.
<br />Public- Safety Departments 5 -Year Capital Appropriation History (All
<br />Sources) (Combines Fire & Police Department Appropriations)
<br />(Police Department 5 -Year Capital Appropriation History has been combined with the Fire Department
<br />History —hence this Public - Safety Departments History —as many appropriations are for the joint benefit
<br />of both Departments.)
<br />Library
<br />In December 2010, architects Adams and Smith were hired to study how operations at the Main Library
<br />could be improved ($25,000 under 2010 ATM, Article 12(q)). Funding of $100,000 for recommended
<br />changes was approved under 2011 ATM, Article 13(1). The recommendations include changes to
<br />workflow and ergonomics. Under 2013 ATM, Article 10(b), $124,000 was appropriated to purchase
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<br />FY2012
<br />FY2013
<br />FY2014
<br />FY2015
<br />FY2016
<br />Fire Trucks & Ambulances
<br />$240,000
<br />$485,000
<br />$250,000
<br />$500,000
<br />Firefighter Protection Turnout Gear
<br />$88,000
<br />Public Safety Radio Connectivity
<br />$50,000
<br />Public Safety Radio Stabilization
<br />$90,000
<br />Heart Monitor
<br />$105,000
<br />Police /Fire Dispatching & Records Software
<br />$709,500
<br />Totals
<br />$328,0001 $50,000
<br />$485,0001 $355,000
<br />$1,299,500
<br />(Police Department 5 -Year Capital Appropriation History has been combined with the Fire Department
<br />History —hence this Public - Safety Departments History —as many appropriations are for the joint benefit
<br />of both Departments.)
<br />Library
<br />In December 2010, architects Adams and Smith were hired to study how operations at the Main Library
<br />could be improved ($25,000 under 2010 ATM, Article 12(q)). Funding of $100,000 for recommended
<br />changes was approved under 2011 ATM, Article 13(1). The recommendations include changes to
<br />workflow and ergonomics. Under 2013 ATM, Article 10(b), $124,000 was appropriated to purchase
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