2022-09-21-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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09/21/2022 AC Minutes 2 therefore flowed to Free Cash at the end of that fiscal year. Staff are considering whether to make a request under this article to add $500,000 to the Special Education Stabilization Fund and thereby restore the balance of that fund to the pre-2022 value. Amend FY2023 Budgets There will be a number of changes to budgets under this article. Most of them will be small or routine. One new requested appropriation, i.e., that for upgrading or replacing the public safety radio system, will be substantial, i.e., $800,000 including a small amount for contingencies per the current recommendation of staff. The problems with the radio system have included incidents where Police or Fire Department communications capabilities were inadequate for the immediate situation. The problems are thought to stem from the move of the Police Headquarters and Dispatch Center to 173 Bedford St. The old Headquarters and Dispatch Center in Lexington Center were connected to the radio system via underground copper wires, while at the Bedford St. location the connection is via fiber optic cables. The old telecommunications equipment that was moved apparently does not function well via the fiber optic cable connections. An analysis indicates that the whole radio communication system needs to be upgraded. This would include replacement of copper wires with new underground fiber optic cabling, and new equipment for each of 9 radio towers as well as the Police and Fire Headquarters. This upgrade of the radio system is urgent. Staff therefore requested that the Select Board allow the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that are presently on hand and do not need to be appropriated. It was reported that the Select Board would prefer that the funds come from the General Fund. Given the urgency, the present proposal is to request a transfer of the entire balance of the Reserve Fund, $750,000, and to supplement that amount with $50,000 in ARPA funds. The second part of the proposal is to request an appropriation at the November special town meeting to replenish the Reserve Fund. Mr. Padaki and Mr. Michelson asked whether the budget for the new Police Headquarters could cover the expected expenses. In particular, it was stated that the budget for the new station includes an amount of $650,000 for new equipment. Ms. Kosnoff responded that none of the work or equipment to be funded by the upcoming $800,000 request is covered in the budget for the new station, and, furthermore, that the bulk of the work and equipment would not be at the site of the new station. It was also noted that none of the $800,000 request would be covered by the debt exclusion that was approved for the new police station. Mr. Bartenstein remarked that, per the charter of the Appropriation Committee, the ARPA funds should be subject to Committee oversight, and that it would be wise to discuss the uses of ARPA funds with the Select Board. Ms. Kosnoff noted that the Town claimed the entire $9,900,000 ARPA allocation as lost revenue, since any community that is allocated less than $10,000,000 is allowed to do this, and therefore the ARPA funds can be used for any municipal purpose with few exceptions, e.g., the funds may not be put into a pension or stabilization fund, may not be used to pay down existing debt service, and may not be used to reduce the tax rate. Mr. Ahuja inquired as to how the Town disposes of old equipment. Ms. Kosnoff responded that, if the equipment has any remaining value, it may be sold or traded in when new equipment is purchased.