HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-27-CEC-minMinutes of the Lexington Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) Meeting
Date, Place, and Location: November 27, 2012, 8:00 A.M., Town Office Building, Reed
Room (111)
Members Present: Beth Masterman, Vice - Chair; Jill Hai; Bill Hurley; David Kanter
Member Absent: Charles Lamb, Chair
Other Attendees: John A. Wilson, Chief, Fire Department; Rob Addelson, Assistant Town
Manager for Finance; Theo Kalivas, Budget Officer; Sara Arnold, Recording Secretary
Documents Discussed:
• Fire Department's FY2014— FY2018 Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs)
• Table of Fire Department's Major Capital Equipment (an extract from the Committee's
Report to the 2012 Annual Town Meeting, released March 23, 2012, page 20).
Call to Order: Ms. Masterman called the meeting to order at 8:08 A.M.
FY2014— FY2018 Capital Budget Review —Fire Department:
• Headquarters Fire Station Replacement: The building to be replaced. This project
has been listed for FY2015 funding, allowing time for the Ad hoc Townwide Facilities
Master Planning Committee to complete its work. A supplemental report to the Town
by Municipal Resources, Inc., on the Town's Fire Department's staffing and facilities
says that a third fire station isn't needed. The two current locations allow Lexington's
Fire Department average response to within one minute of the response -time
objective cited in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard #1710.
Moving the East Lexington station a half -mile would not significantly impact that
performance; the current location for the Bedford Street station is preferable to moving
it further from Lexington center. In response to questions, Chief Wilson explained that:
➢ Adjustments to the $300,000 for design and engineering may be necessary.
➢ Currently there is considerable variability in construction costs.
➢ Slab flooring should eliminate the need to continue a cleansing system in
regard to the petroleum spill from a neighboring property that infiltrates the
current basement.
➢ If the shell of the current building is retained, it may be possible to use
Conservation Preservation Act (CPA) funds, but he doesn't support trying to
renovate the building.
➢ It hasn't been determined what swing space will be needed during construction.
• East Lexington Fire Station Physical Fitness Room: Mr. Hurley repeated his
request from last year that this project be done this year —which this Committee, as a
whole, had endorsed by showing it for FY2014 funding in its Five -Year Capital Plan
(FY2013— FY2017). The Committee reiterated its strong support for moving this project
from the still - proposed FY2016 to FY2014. Mr. Addelson agreed to explore the
possibility of making this change. (It might have been possible to use CPA funds;
however, as the deadline for an application to the Community Preservation Committee
for the current cycle has passed, the Committee supported use of the FY2014
General Fund for this project.)
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• Capital Equipment: Mr. Kanter asked Chief Wilson to use the Committee's
spreadsheet for listing his department's capital equipment. A copy of last- year's table
was distributed.
➢ Brush Trucks: Lexington has two brush trucks and they are no longer being
included as capital expenses because the skid can be removed and it becomes
ancillary equipment. The trucks aren't used frequently.
➢ Ambulance Replacements: The ambulances are rotated so that they are
used first as replacement vehicles and then for parts. Currently they are rotated
every three years, but the department is trying to extend that to four years. Two
of the Town's three ambulances are operated each day, and two of them need
to be replaced. Mr. Kanter suggested that, as with all out -year cost projections,
the replacement costs should be realistic, taking inflation into consideration.
Chief Wilson explained that as there are now State -wide purchase schedules
for ambulances that meet what he sees as Lexington's needs, it is no longer
necessary for the Town to go out to bid for this equipment.
➢ Fire Pumper Replacement: The oldest pumper is not currently planned to be
traded in. It remains reliable so the Town will keep it and use it as a
replacement vehicle. The 2010 pumper was out of service for two months
during the summer and has had so many repeated problems that it needs to be
replaced. Town Counsel has been working on getting a refund from the
manufacturer.
➢ Ladder Truck Replacement: Last year the replacement of the aerial ladder
truck had been in FY2019, but the request has been moved to FY2017. The
frame rails are corroded and the vehicle is not lasting as long as originally
anticipated. A ladder truck has the storage capacity to bring all the necessary
equipment to a fire; therefore, it is often also dispatched on a call even when its
aerial capability is not expected to be needed.
• Portable Radio Replacement: A Request for Proposals is being developed for
purchasing 25 replacement radios in FY2015. The problem that had been
experienced with interconnectivity within the department and with the Police
Department has been rectified, but there will be a new problem because of Federal
frequency- spectrum changes. The results of the on -going study of our public- safety
communications may affect what needs to be purchased —which may become a joint
Fire - Police purchase.
Presentations on Non -Town CPA Projects: It was noted that, ideally, CPA projects would
be reviewed by this Committee only after the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) had
voted to support the project, but if CPC support of a project is likely, this Committee would be
willing to hear a presentation on that project before the formal CPC approval. The Town
By -Law regarding adoption of the CPA requires that this Committee provide Town Meeting
with an endorsement on anything recommended by the CPC.
Five -Year Capital Plan: Mr. Kanter mentioned that although this Committee receives the
Town Manager's plan, the Town By -Law requires this Committee to present its own to Town
Meeting.
Mock Town Meeting: It will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2013, in the Margery Milne
Battin Hall as part of the Town's 300 Celebration. This Committee's participation has been
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requested. The Article will be the police- station expansion. Committee members agreed that
they would like to participate.
Adjourn: A Motion was made and seconded at 9:42 A.M. to adjourn. Vote: 4 -0
These Minutes were approved by the CEC at its meeting on December 18, 2012.
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