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Capital Outlay Committee
Meeting Minutes

2/17/2011 at Town Office Building

Attending:  Chairman Ray Eisenbies, Libby Claypoole, Lucy Hancock, Ron Kirven and Tom Pyles (both representing the Advisory Committee), Sue Nickerson (Interim Town Accountant)

Ray Eisenbies called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM in the 2nd Floor Central North Hearing Room.

School Department

The School Committee Long-Range Planning Subcommittee is seeking private / public partnership opportunities for funding some of the High School athletic complex improvements. One or more investors have stated a willingness to contribute to the track project, but they will not commit funds until the Town allocates an initial amount for this project. The COC expressed support for the partnership idea, but members agreed that the current proposal lacks details and requires clarification. In addition, there are no available funds to allocate to the field for FY 2012.

Engineering

Assistant Town Administrator Betty Foley attended the COC meeting to describe the environmental problems behind the former DPW building on Hersey Street. Soil contamination exists due to an old dump, and, in order to achieve a permanent solution, it may be necessary to excavate and dispose of the soil in certain identified areas. Last year, the Capital budget included funds to install a water main extension in the Lewis Court neighborhood. The extension will be installed in the spring of 2011. Meanwhile, the Town has been paying $2.5-$3K per year for periodic soil testing / sampling plus an annual DEP fee of $4K per year. (The source of these funds has been the Selectmen’s engineering operating budget and will move to the Town Engineer’s budget next year.) 

The Town has received an estimate in the amount of $75K from the engineering firm Tetra Tech Rizzo, Inc. for the recommended environmental services. (This is the same firm that is working with Roger Fernandes on the landfill closure.) There is a possibility that the job will be bigger than anticipated. Testing will determine the severity of the contamination and whether the estimate is accurate.  COC members recommended a “go / no go” decision point after the testing is complete. Ron Kirven will review the proposal with Roger and ask that this provision be included.

Review of FY 2012 Capital Requests

The COC reviewed the capital requests for FY 2012 and feedback about priorities from several departments.

• The five new tasers ($6K) for the Police Department can be deferred, but the electronic lock system ($15K) is critical, and the department wants seven new vehicles ($162K). COC members discussed decreasing the number of vehicles.

• Regarding field maintenance, the Recreation Department will rehabilitate one field per year ($10K) with their own funds. The DPW request for field maintenance ($10K) will be deferred.

• The $250K accrual for the landfill capping is necessary in FY 2012 and will increase the amount raised to $1.8M (target).

• Ray spoke with John Ferris about prioritizing the School Department requests, and John said he would speak with Dorothy Galo and then respond.

• Sue reported that the grant for the Elder Services van has not been confirmed and may not be approved until July. The existing van is now off the road and cannot pass inspection. COC members agreed to put the entire $40K in the capital budget with the idea that the amount may be reduced by the grant.

• Regarding the Town Hall waterproofing, Roger Fernandes thinks that $74K is too high. He needs more time to analyze the work and estimate the cost. COC members agreed to move this item to FY 2013.

• Responsibility for the Fire Department ramp paving ($10K) is still unclear, as this may not be a Town expense. It has been deferred to FY 2013.

Sue will review the capital budget with Ted Alexiades (Town Administrator) and provide feedback to the COC. The COC meeting with the Board of Selectmen is scheduled for 7 PM on 3/1/2011.

Other Business

COC members approved the minutes from the 2/2/2011 and 2/9/2011 meetings with minor changes.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Lucy Hancock, Secretary