2019-10-30-CEC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the Lexington Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) Meeting October 30, 2019 • If Lexington builds a new shooting range, it is likely that the Town could bring in revenue from outside users, including other Towns, businesses that provide security services, and facilities that hire security personnel. Additionally, it could reduce overtime costs for Lexington. • The indoor range in Police Headquarters has been abandoned because of deterioration. Mr. Kanter suggested that getting commitments from other Towns also to help mitigate capital costs would be very valuable. Mr. Lamb expressed concern about delaying the project, but would defer to the Chief regarding the time required to get grants. Mr. Smith expressed concern about Town Meeting supporting a $5.0 million project, making the need for offsets critical. Review of the Fire & Rescue Dept. FY2021—FY2025 CIPs Chief Sencabaugh discussed CIP #735, Ambulance Replacement, and CIP #1052, Replace 2004 Pumper. In addition to his written responses to questions submitted by this Committee, he provided the following information, much of which related to concerns expressed about the high cost of new vehicles: • Tariffs are impacting the cost of steel, ambulance-chassis components, and electronic equipment. It isn't known how tariffs will impact purchases beyond those in the near future; providers aren't willing to provide long term estimates at this time. • Stretchers now come with an enhanced track system that can accommodate 900 pounds and keeps the stretcher far more reliably attached to the frame of the vehicle for enhanced safety. • Competition in the fire-truck market is minimal, partially because one parent company owns many of the entities that provide the body and equipment. • Vehicle costs are impacted by increasingly more stringent emission-control regulations. • Both fire stations currently have an ambulance assigned to it, both have staffing for the ambulance, and both serve approximately the same number of calls over a year. Not all calls require a transport. • The Dept. works closely with the Human Services Dept. to reduce major crises. • Lexington has a high collection rate for ambulance services provided. In response to questions, Chief Sencabaugh reviewed the protocols for sending out vehicles. He noted that staff need to stay with their assigned vehicles to ensure readiness; often they go from one event to another without going back to the station. Funding for the 2019-1 STM, November 12, 2019 Ms. Kosnoff reported that regarding Article 4—Amend FY2020 Operating, Enterprise, and Community Preservation Act (CPA) Budgets—there is still internal discussion about funding Cyber Security Insurance, which would affect the Operating Budget portion of this Article and, consequentially, funding available for other purposes. Regarding Article 3—Appropriate To and From Specified Stabilization Funds, Ms. Kosnoff said that there would be a recommendation to use $250,000 from the Transportation Management Overlay District Stabilization Fund to partially fund Article 8: Appropriate Page 2 of 3