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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - CBC - 12/02/2015 Capital Budget Committee December 2, 2015 Minutes approved 4-0 1 -13-2016 CBC Members Present: Wakeman, Franklin, Host, Dormitzer Chair Wakeman opened the meeting at 1900 with the above quorum present. Police Department Chief Quigley presented the Police Departments FY17 Capital Budget Requests. Motor Vehicle Replacement: The department is requesting to replace a current unmarked vehicle at a cost of $36,540. Additionally to purchase 4x4 a pick up truck ($41,175) outfitted with police scanners and to be equipped with lights instead of a front line cruiser with FY16 approved funding. In addition to improved features and performance, the vehicle will be more reliable in extreme weather conditions. A program is in place to replace a Front Line Vehicle each year but the Tahoes are in good condition so the department is not requesting a replacement this year. Total vehicle request totals $36,540. Tasers: The department is requesting to outfit officers with Lasers, in addition to their current equipment that includes a firearm, pepper spray and a baton. Current apprehension ladder is "one step up from assailant". Without a Laser the escalation to firearm is pepper spray, baton, firearm vs. pepper spray, baton, Laser, firearm. The Chief stated that half of the police departments in Massachusetts are currently outfitted with Lasers, however, the Massachusetts State Police are not. The chief indicated that there are 2 to 3 incidents a year in Cohasset where a Laser could be utilized. The growing drug issues in town are increasing officer risks and the town faces costly line of duty injuries when officers go hand-to-hand with assailants. Tasers would reduce the frequency of hand-to-hand interactions and the escalation to use of firearms. Tasers will not replace firearms. Tasers under consideration are $1,000 a piece, or $32,000 to outfit all officers in the department (of which $4,000 is warranty and $2,300 is training). Training going forward would come from the departments operating budget (estimated to be $3,000 annually). These Lasers have a useful life of 6 years and carry a 4-year warranty. Mary Gallagher, Director of Finance /Town Accountant Reviewed updated Capital Stabilization Fund Report and discussed usefulness of Committee Dashboard Reports and Metrics. Chris Senior, Town Manager Discussed transition plan for the Town's assumption of the Senior Center. Presented P&S and discussed some uses and purposes for the property by the Town and Townspeople. Due to the original financing being a private grant, the transaction contemplated in the P&S will need to be certified by the Judicial Board. Senior stated this building will be added to the municipal buildings he wants to be part of a town wide building maintenance plan. Note: Capital Budget received P&S and no concerns were noted. Next meeting will be with Chief Silva of the Fire Department and Ron Menard of IT. There being no further business we voted to adjourn at 2100. Respectfully submitted Susan Franklin