HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-11-09-CEC-min
Hi: As always, comments, amplification, corrections welcome. -Tom G-
Capital Expenditures Committee
Minutes November 9, 1999 Meeting
1) Meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7:30pm. All members
present: Charles Hornig, Shirley Stolz, Narain Bhatia, Tom Griffiths,
and George Burnell. The Appropriation Committee was represented by its
liaison member Deborah Brown.
2) The DPW was scheduled to make a presentation, but, due to a mixup,
no one appeared from DPW.
3) Charles and Tom commented on the Selectmen's meeting they attended.
The capital budget from DPW did not reflect scenario 1. Also presented
there was a proposal to install fiber optic equipment in Town
buildings (including schools) to take advantage of the RCN fiber optic
cabling that will be made available for Town use at no charge.
4) In addition to the Town Departments already contacted, the Committee
expects to contact the Finance Department to hear their capital plans
for the fiber optic cabling, acquisition of a new Alpha, etc.
5) Shirley commented on her progress making scheduling arrangements
for the Town departments for which she is responsible.
6) The Committee began a preliminary discussion of policy. Tom proposed
that the new cash capital policy be set at 6.25% instead of the current
5%, that the difference (about $1 million) be included on the proposed
override. This non-earmarked increment would be substituted for the
$500,000 in the override currently earmarked for roads. Tom also said
that, in addition to the five-year capital plan the for which the
Committee is responsible, the Committee should also do weak planning
as far out as fifteen years.
7) George suggested that perhaps the Committee should really inventory
its capital needs and plan as far in advance as that inventory
dictates. For example, if we know roofs need to be replaced every
twenty-five years, we inventory our roofs and their current age and
project expenses accordingly.
8) Charles suggested that the availability of resources also had to be
factored in.
9) The meeting ended at approximately 9:15pm.
Minutes by Tom Griffiths