2018-06-27-CEC-ATM-rpt (Combined Report with Updates & Errata)

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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2018 ATM(incorporating Updates&Errata) Documents totaling $189,750 ($72,000 under 2016 ATM, Article 15(e), and $117,750 under 2017 ATM, Article 16(e)). For requested FY2019 funding, see Article 20(f). At present, there is no decision on use of the space in the Muzzey High Condominiums that previously housed the Town's Senior Center. Deed restrictions on that space limit it to uses for the benefit of seniors. The Carriage House, located next to the LexCC and acquired with it, also has deed restrictions that limit its use. DPF currently maintains both spaces in a caretaker mode. Fire & Rescue The Fire & Rescue Department uses industry standards and its own experience to establish its capital—equipment replacement schedule. Unlike many pieces of Town equipment, fire engines and medic trucks (rescue-ambulances) are partially custom-made and equipped, require detailed specifications, and typically require many months between placing the order and the delivery and acceptance. The mission of this Department in the 21' century has shifted beyond traditional firefighting to emergency services, homeland security, and community education, with our firefighters now being trained for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS). The equipment to perforin these missions has changed with new technologies for firefighting and communications, yet the basic pumper truck,ladder truck, and rescue ambulance are still essential to the mission. The FY2019 Capital Budget has no requests for this department. The primary, on-going, capital effort for this Department is the construction of a sorely needed new Headquarters to meet 21st-century standards. The BoS has agreed that this will be best achieved at the Headquarters current location at 45 Bedford Street, with an interim operating facility ("swing space") during construction at the 173 Bedford Street site that had been purchased in October 2016. Both of these projects are being executed by the DPF. The Headquarters project was approved by the voters in the December 4, 2017, Debt-Exclusion Referendum. (See the description of that DPF capital program on Page 28.) The Federal Government has mandated that public-safety agencies—including Lexington's Fire&Rescue and Police Departments—will be required to move their radio-band frequency from the current 400 MHz band, to the 800 MHz band. This will require a complete replacement of radio equipment, including hand-held, mobile, and base stations. The radio system was upgraded and changed in 1994, at a cost of over $1,000,000. A change to the new frequency band will be a capital project affecting both Departments. These Departments are currently studying how to best comply with the new mandates when they are put into effect. Cost estimates will follow once the scope and timing of the project are clearly defined. Lexington must continue to replace its aging equipment and retain backup capacity. The table on the next page includes the forecasted need for replacing major capital vehicles in the current Department inventory. 17