Town of Newbury
Capital Planning Committee Meeting
Monday, December 16, 2013 6:00 PM Fire Hall
Joint Meeting Summary
Members present: Bob Connors (chair), Nick Orem (vice chair) Frank Visconti, Tracy Blais, and Larry Guay. Attending, Finance Committee: Frank Remley, Gene Case, Marshall Jespersen, Linda Allen, Erica Jacobson
- Review of November 21, 2013 meeting summary:
Approved as written by unanimous vote
- Joint meeting with Finance committee and board of Fire Engineers (fire truck request)
A capital equipment replacement request was submitted on October 30, 2013 by Newbury Fire Protection #2 to replace 1989 Pumper which has been experiencing operational breakdowns, out of certification pursuant to NFPA “open cab” guidelines and the annual operational costs exceed anticipated annual purchase costs.
Background:
The committee at the November 21, 2013 regular meeting took this request under advisement and forwarded presented documents to the Board of Fire Engineers for comment, review and recommended course of action: Further, the committee requested additional information from Protection #2 regarding additional pumper options specifically outfitted to match current service area and more information on pumper warranty options for new fire apparatus.
As a follow-up to the last Capital Planning Committee meeting regarding this request, I have been informed that pumper E10 has experienced numerous breakdowns and Fire Protection #2 has requested emergency action on this truck request. Further, this request was presented to the Board of Fire engineers for review and recommendations .CPC has been informed that BOFE approved this request and recommended replacement with new fire pumper. Protection #2 has supplied requested information on outfitted service area needs and detailed warranty information for review.
A joint meeting with Capital Planning, Finance Committee and Board of Fire Engineers was held on December 16, 2013 to address this request, contingency plans for coverage, funding options, ownership options and to reach a consensus on next steps.
Recommendation:
Over the last several years, Newbury has level funded the department or cut line items to balance the budget despite rising operating costs for both departments.
Both departments in the past have used collected fees (ambulance) and donations to fund vehicle/truck purchase, equipment, gear and repairs. With reduced municipal funding each department now uses collected fees to keep the lights on, buy fuel, and pay insurance while falling behind building reserves to purchase new or “good used equipment as the fleet continues to age and approach the end of expected operational life.
Based upon the cost of inflation/energy/operations increasing about 3% per year range, it’s clear that the level funding approach to the department’s budget over the last decade and recent budget cuts has had a negative impact (-$1,734,526.38) on the department’s ability to operate, build reserves to purchase new vehicles, gear and to maintain the vast amount of portable equipment each department currently owns.
As the fire department provides a valuable service to the town and its citizens, to continue down the current funding path is a perfect storm for operational gaps, reduced service and failing equipment/gear and additional capital equipment requests in the future.
The Capital Planning Committee voted unanimously to approve/recommend the purchase of Fire Truck with a not to exceed amount of $450,000. Funding and ownership options to be determined by the Board of Selectmen. The Board of Fire Engineers determined no immediate emergency existed by a split vote of 3 to 2 and identified a contingency plan for service area coverage in the event of future breakdowns.
- Review “Project Priority list”;
No update available.
4. Update of Approved Projects by Town Administrator/department head;
No update was available at the time of meeting.
5. Review CIP Planning Schedule;
No update.
6. Other Business;
No action required at this time.
7. Review CIP Funding v. Cash reserves for CPC projects;
No update.
8. Public Hearings
No action required at this time.
9. Communications:
No action required at this time.
10. Next meeting date;
Next meeting scheduled for January 16, 2014 Town Hall, 7:00 AM.
11. Adjourned
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Connors, Chairman
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