SUMMARY:
During the past week, two items for the Board's consideration for ARPA funding have emerged that have a time sensitive aspect that we need the Board's input on whether you would approve the following two items (if they are not approved, they will need to be added to the Fall STM for consideration).
Public Safety Communications – As a result of moving the Police Station from their former location to 173 Bedford Street, we have been having serious problems with the radio communications system. We have had the contractor that maintains the system working on it several times and have learned the root cause of the problem is the age of the system and that it was designed work with copper lines, which were available at the former Police Station. At the temporary Police Station at 173 Bedford Street, the lines are VOIP, not copper and as a result we do not have consistent radio communications for the Police, Fire and Dispatch. Some examples of problems include the recent transformer fire, our Fire Department was not able to communicate with other Fire Departments that responded and instances where our Police Officers have called for assistance and found their radios didn’t work. Chief McLean, Chief Sencabaugh and Mike Cronin have reviewed the equipment that needs to be replaced and identified 9 antenna locations and equipment that needs to be replaced. The cost is approximately $800,000. Given the seriousness of this issue, I am recommending the Board consider using ARPA funds so that equipment may be ordered immediately and installed as soon as possible.
Liberty Ride – The Board will be hearing on the future of the Liberty Ride next Monday. The report is attached, but the recommendation in summary is that we believe that while it will require more staff time, given the cost escalation from the contractor we’ve used in the past for the Liberty Ride, the most cost effective alternative is for the Town to bring this program in-house (see attached). We believe over the next decade, that the Town will be able to reserve enough from the revenues that we will be able to make the program sustainable, but we also believe it would be best to use ARPA funds for the initial capital purchase to move the program in-house. We are seeking the Board’s approval next Monday night so that we can order the trolley and have it ready for next Spring. The cost is estimated to be $450,000.
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