2016-09-21-CEC-STM5-rpt - Laserfiche WebLink

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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO SEPTEMBER 21,2016, STM 2016-5 171/173 is over 2.5 acres, adjacent to our Public Services Facility (PSF) (201 Bedford Street), and only 0.6 miles from the current LFDHQ. It provides appropriate swing space during reconstruction of the LFDHQ. The existing building at 171/173 (at over 19,000 sq. ft.) would provide adequate space for all LFDHQ personnel during the transitional use of the building—eliminating the need to house part of the operation in temporary (unplumbed) trailers in the parking lot, which has been done for over 15 years at the existing LFDHQ. A heated tent would be erected in the space behind the existing building to house the vehicles necessary for operations. The reserve ambulance, a pumper, and a brush truck would likely be housed at the PSF (which already houses at least one back-up pumper for which there is no space at the existing LFDHQ). The adjacency of 171/173 and the PSF will improve the access to those vehicles. In addition, an ambulance whose operation currently "floats" between being out of the two stations during the day would now operate out of the East Lexington Fire Station all the time. There is space at 171/173 for any needed additional storage containers. A temporary, wireless, traffic signal would be installed at the entrance to 171/173, which will be "on demand" operation, as is the one at the East Lexington Fire Station. The wireless signal would not require disruption of the roadbed. The existing 171/173 building does not have an emergency generator, but the generator at the LFDHQ may be able to be relocated during occupancy. A booster antenna is likely to be required to guarantee radio coverage. Fire Chief John Wilson believes the LFDHQ can adequately operate for up to two years at 171/173. The traffic pattern at 171/173 for pull-in/pull-out would be less disruptive than the current necessity of backing trucks into the station, minimizing impact on Bedford Street though some curb cuts may be required. The Fire Department typically operates approximately 8-10 emergency runs/day from the LFDHQ, and already follows a policy that restrains use of sirens between 10 P.M. and 6 A.M. The deliverables for the services to be provided under this request would provide schematic designs and estimates for a transitional LFDHQ facility, associated legal fees, property surveys, environmental and architect & engineering (A&E) surveys, and a traffic study evaluating the impact of the LFDHQ at 171/173. Subsequent steps (with dates to be determined) related to 171/173 and the LFDHQ include—but are not necessarily limited to: • Fund the schematic design (SD) & design documents (DD) for modifications to 171/173 for swing space for the Fire Department • Fund the SD &DD for the new LFDHQ • Fund the build-out at 171/173 • Fund the DD for the new LFDHQ • Hold Debt-Exclusion Referendum for the LFDHQ construction (likely including the amount of the appropriation requested under this Article) • Fund the new LFDHQ construction • Construct the 171/173 build-out • Move out of existing LFDHQ and into 171/173 • Construct the new LFDHQ • Move out of 171/173 and into new LFDHQ • 171/173 available for next use(likely Police Department swing-space or new construction) CONCLUSION The Town needs to rebuild or reconstruct both of its Public Safety facilities. The Town owns no location where either can be temporarily or permanently relocated. This property, adequately sized and with an existing building of appropriate size, adjacent to our Public Services Facility, 0.6 mile from the existing LFDHQ, can be fitted to serve as swing space for the LFDHQ in the short term and has additional possible uses subsequent to that. The debt-financing-impact model produced last year for Town Meeting and incorporated in this Committee's Report to the 2016 ATM projected LFDHQ replacement project funding in FY2018 and 3