2024-02-29-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

2/29/2024 AC Minutes 5 Mr. Padaki asked if the DPW was replacing any equipment that was off-cycle or unexpected this year. Mr. Pinsonneault replied that there were no unexpected items, and that the leaf vacuum will be a new piece of equipment in their inventory. Mr. Bartenstein asked if the Town had fully funded the copper and lead connection replacement program. Mr. Pinsonneault replied that the program was fully funded and starts with a survey and inventory. They are working on bid specifications for service line replacement contracts. Mr. Kanter asked what the DPW will do with leaves that it collects. Mr. Pinsonneault replied that leaves without too much debris could be sent to the Town composting facility. Otherwise, they must be disposed of off-site. Mr. Parker asked where the town-wide signalization improvements were planned in FY2025. Mr. Pinsonneault responded that this year’s request would fund an updated study of the traffic signals. Warrant Articles for 2024 Annual Town Meeting Ms. Kosnoff stated that the Town Manager was planning to ask for the rescission of a $3 million appropriation from 1999 for the purchase of conservation land, after the Conservation Commission voted in favor of the rescission. This request will probably require removing Article 18 from the consent agenda. Ms. Kosnoff stated that the articles for authorized capital improvements and for unpaid bills would be indefinitely postponed. Ms. Kosnoff is still working on adjustments to the current FY2024 operating budget and noted that the Fire and Police Departments had both exceeded their overtime budgets, and that it was im- portant to properly account for that part of the overtime costs due to contract settlements so they could be taken from the Salary Adjustment Account. The budget for the Town Clerk may also re- quire additional funding due to increased spending on elections. Ms. Kosnoff hopes to provide an updated request in the coming week. Mr. Padaki and Mr. Ahuja updated their votes on Article 12(i) from abstaining to recommending approval. Article 27 Appropriate for Renovation of 173 Bedford Street Ms. Kosnoff stated that the Select Board was moving forward with the renovation of 173 Bedford St. using the original request of $6 million to fund a new all-electric HVAC system rather than the $4.2 million request in the Brown Book. The change will not affect the recommended FY2025 oper- ating budget, but it will increase debt service in the following years. Mr. Padaki changed his vote on Article 27 173 Bedford St to recommend against approval. Mr. Bartenstein asked Ms. Kosnoff if she could provide any insight on the Select Board’s decision to fund a more expensive HVAC system at 173 Bedford St. She replied that it seemed the decision was based on the building being needed for swing space for at least 10 years together with environ- mental concerns. Mr. Levine noted that, depending on the nature of the high school project, the Central Office could occupy 173 Bedford St. for up to 7 years and that would be followed by Cary Library and Town Office Building projects that could extend the use of the facility to 15 years. The differences in indoor air quality between all-electric and gas-fired systems was a second factor in the decision.