Capital Improvement Committee
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
August 11th, 2020
Present: Bob Holmes (Chair), Michael Genest (Ex Officio), William Bryk (Member) and Victor Rosansky (Vice Chair participating via Zoom.)
Staff Present: Ashley Brudnick-Destromp (Assistant) and Carol Ogilvie (Planning Consultant)
Absent: Neal Pattison (Member), Michael Redmond (Member participating via Zoom),
Others in Attendance: Jim Plourde (Road Agent), Marshall Gale (Fire Chief), and Gary Wood ( Fire)
I. Highway Department & Transfer Station Department Site Visit
The Committee started at 9:00AM without a quorum and went over the 2019 and 2020 CIP requests with Mr. Plourde and had a brief discussion on how there is no breakroom still. Mr. Bryk entered at 7:06AM and the Meeting was called to order.
There was discussion on the well and it’s unknown condition, design and layout issues, the amount of vehicles and the amount of bays being half the amount of vehicles. Mr. Plourde mentioned that the compact roller for 2021 was requested last year but was pushed off, and that in 2023 they will be replacing the primary backhoe (2014 CAT). He added that they would like to mimic what Hillsborough does currently because it works well in that rotate the backhoe every 7 years, and that the replaced backhoe would go to the Transfer Station because they would know any issues it has and be able to maintain it better. There is also more of a return for when the 14 year old backhoe is sold when the Transfer Station is done with using it because they don’t use it as often.
This year the Highway is looking for an AirVac exhaust like the Fire Station is getting to help with the fumes. The cost is around $25,000. The Department is also requesting a $10,000 new bailer in 2022. The current bailer has issues, but they believe it will still last another 2 years.
As far as projects that were able to be completed this year with the Town’s freeze on spending due to COVID-19, the new radios came in. Mr. Rosansky inquired about any training. Mr. Plourde said that they technically do not have a training fund, so the training that is done he expenses from the miscellaneous fund. He added they do yearly training with the NH Technical Institute, and each staff member tries to take a couple classes a year.
There was a small discussion on new plows, replacement blades, and the changes made. Mr. Plourde explained that the trucks come with the plow, so he does not know the cost of each individual plow because they aren’t purchased that way. He added in regards to replacement blades, he found blades that are double the price but last 2-3 seasons as opposed to one season so it ends up being more cost effective.
The CIP took a tour and had multiple discussions during the tour. Mr. Plourde explained to the Committee that when they see a truck on the spreadsheet, it’s a truck and blade combo, and that the $105,000 being requested also includes a new sander. The current sander was rebuilt 2x for two different vehicles. He added that each fall they do an oil undercoating and all vehicles are washed outside and more often in the Winter because of the salt. There is currently no containment system for washing or drain, and it is a very high cost to have a set up installed. The Committee discussed how long term goal would be to have a central location and set up for all Town Vehicles to be washed at.
The Committee saw the office, the 4 bays, the storage center for extra equipment and all the signage, and the storage area for the salt as well as the back of the building where there was discussion of possible expansions to accommodate a breakroom.
The Committee discussed Stacy Hill Rd, and how it will have to be redone before the Loverens Bridge is redone. Mr. Plourde also explained how they went from a 6 wheeler to a 10 wheels for salting and how the salt mixture is a 1 to 5 ratio of salt and sand so it’s just enough to melt the ice. Roughly, the Town goes through 3,000 yards of sand a year.
Mr. Plourde also showed them the chip seal pile which he added is utilized in the winter during ice storms to give traction, and he also went over the location of the storage of raw materials and culvert replacements. There was a brief discussion on stainless steel sanders.
Mr. Plourde then showed the Committee the Transfer Station quickly. There have been no changes other than the COVID-19 rules.
The Committee thanked Mr. Plourde for his time.
Motion: Mr. Genest made a motion to adjourn the meeting at the Highway and to move to the Fire Station, Mr. Bryk seconded it.
Vote: By a voice vote, all were in favor.
*Mr. Rosansky had to leave the meeting, and therefore there was no longer a quorum.*
Fire Station Notes:
The Committee did not have a quorum, and therefore there is only notes for this meeting with Chief Gale:
- Compressor project and air pack project are complete. In hindsight, have more than needed amount of air packs.
- Town Administrator ok’d the installation of the AirVac system this month.
- Needs small building upgrades like doors and crank out windows due to energy efficiency.
- Roof at North Branch Station is still in need of repair, but tree causing damage has not yet been removed. ASPEN did some trimming to help. Fire is not requesting funds for this at this time.
- Roof on Central Station had 30 year shingles installed about 15 years ago and they are already in bad shape. Contacted manufacture who is only offering a pro rate after an extensive amount of paperwork. Chief Gale would like a metal roof next time so a new roof does not have to be discussed again. Would like metal roof on both stations when the time comes.
- There was a Tour of the facility, and the Committee got to see the new air packs in person as well as the filling station.
- Discussion on grants and reimbursement for COVID-19 equipment.
The meeting with Fire ended at 10:28 AM.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, August 18th at 7:00 PM downstairs in the Antrim Little Town Hall
Respectfully submitted,
Ashley Brudnick-Destromp
(Assistant to the Land Use Boards)