ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes March 4, 2021 Zoom Meeting

PRESENT 13 members of the committee were present: Gail Butler, Kevin Canty, Brian Dunn, Karen Hamilton, Harry Helm, Roz Jones, Larry McGrath, Steve Nearman, Meaghan O’Connell, Marc Sirrico, Sheryl Sousa, Scott Stephenson, and Evelyn Strawn. ABSENT 2 members of the committee were absent. Eugene Blanchard and Ashley Shaw

Call to Order - The meeting was called to order by Chairman Kevin Canty at 7:00 PM.

Announcements • Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Executive Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting will be conducted via remote participation. • This meeting is to be conducted via a video conference application and the meeting will be airing on Comcast 15, Verizon 47 OR on our you Tube channel which can be viewed at pactv.org/stream. • Public Comment: Members of the public who wish to participate or comment at this meeting will need to: o Join via Zoom application: Download the Zoom meeting application on your device, press/click on “Join”, then enter Meeting ID: 995 2986 0638, and then the Meeting Password: 100131, or o Join via website (requires microphone): Go to www. zoom.us, click “Join A Meeting” on the top righthand side, and enter the meeting ID: 995 2986 0638, and then the meeting password 100131, or o Join via Telephone (voice only): Dial 929-205-6099 and Enter Meeting ID: 995 2986 0638 and enter Meeting Password: 100131 o Notice: Regardless of the technological means used, each speaker giving Public Comment is allotted up to 5 minutes in which to speak. Also, Public Comment can be made at the beginning of the meeting, at the end of the meeting, or in regard to a particular agenda item the speaker wishes to be heard on.

Public Comment

Minutes:

February 24, 2021 Meeting – Will be taken up at a later meeting.

Agenda Items Special Town Meeting

Article 4 – Special Capital, Various – Chairman Canty advised that Article 4 would be first due to a conflict with the Airport Manager having an Airport Commission Meeting also. Manager Maher advised that he is seeking support for two Airport articles. The Airport contracted Beta Engineering and Environmental Partners to conduct a study of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to determine the upgrades that are necessary. The study identified major challenges due to the chemically hostile environment inside the treatment plant. As a result, upgrades to the current process mechanical, replacement of the entire heating and ventilation system, the electrical and plumbing systems have major corrosion and require relocation and or replacement, back-up power, tank covers, and building repairs/upgrades. The estimated cost including design, engineering is $2,456,220. The Airport is requesting approval of $230,000 for Phase I - design, bidding and permitted Mr. Maher advised the means to repay the funding are still being discussed. Mr. Jonathan Beder, DPW Director, noted that the requested has been reduced to planning only to get a better idea of the costs. Mr. Beder advised that the station upgrades are needed, and they will come back in the fall with construction costs and a betterment plan. Ms. Jones asked what the original design challenges were. Mr. Maher advised that the HVAC system isn’t compatible with the corrosive gases & environment inside the plant and the lack of a generator has proven to be a drastic disruption. Ms. Jones asked if the same company was being used. Mr. Maher replied no. They are using the same company that oversees the Town’s WWTP and it seems a better fit. Ms. Strawn, while glad that the design has been reduced to $230,000, questions why the request form indicated $409,370. Mr. Beder advised that only Tasks 1-4 on page 14 of Environmental Partners proposal are being done during the design phase. Ms. Butler asked who did the original work and has the airport gone back to them because the design was flawed and tried to get them to take some responsibility. Mr. Maher gave a history of the original project and the company that performed the work. Mr. Maher advised that the plant was constructed in 2002 and they have not been in touch with the previous contractor. Mr. Beder doesn’t think the previous contractor was at fault and things have changed a lot and technology is very different from 20 years ago and its ready for upgrades. Mr. Maher noted that there were a lot of unknowns and lessons learned. Ms. Butler inquired when the corrosion began. Mr. Maher estimated it to be around 5 or 6 years and the electrical was isolated to protect it from further corrosion. Ms. Butler inquired about the new roof and Mr. Maher advised that it was a 25-year asphalt roof and approaching its lifespan, so before there is a penetration, the study recommended it with the upgrades. Mr. Helm asked if this was an upgrade or replacement of the system. Mr. Beder advised that it was a combination. The electrical and HVAC are being replaced. Mr. Helm asked if it had been properly designed in 2002 would we be spending $2.2 mil. Mr. Beder wouldn’t think it would be to this extent. Mr. Maher advised that the second request was to cover a shortfall of $4,900 for the Airport Admin. Building project.

Ms. Butler moved to approve Article 4 to Town Meeting. Mr. Dunn second. Mr. Helm noted the history of projects where the engineer/consultant didn’t properly spec the project and it cost the Town millions of dollars. Ms. Butler echoed the sentiment and didn’t think it was right that the Town had no option but to correct it. Motion carried 11-0-1. Ms. Butler abstained.

Article 7– Facility Stabilization Fund – Ms. Melissa Arrighi, Town Manager, said that for some time now there has been interest for some type of dedicated revenue source for facilities management and this article begins that process. The request is to establish a Stabilization Fund for Facility Maintenance and transfer $2.5 million from free cash to fund this Building Capital Maintenance Fund. Ms. Hamilton moved. Mr. Helm seconded. Mr. Helm replied this is great. Motion carried unanimously 12-0-0.

Article 9 – Pedestrian Bridge off Billington St. – Mr. William Keohan, CPC Chair had a presentation on Article 9. He advised that the request is for $80,000 for design, permitting and construction of a Pedestrian Bridge over the Town Brook. In conjunction, with the Department of Marine and Environmental, DMEA, will be constructing a sidewalk along the section of Billington St. North of the Route 3 overpass. Both the footbridge and sidewalk will be ADA compliant. These two projects will provide significant improvements that will enhance hiking from the waterfront along the Town Brook into the Town Forest. In response to Mr. McGrath’s inquiry about advertising Mr. Gould advised that once the trail was complete, they would get the word out. Ms. Jones moved to recommend Article 9 to Town Meeting. Mr. McGrath second. Motion carried unanimously, 12-0-0.

Annual Town Meeting Article 16D – Amend Stephens Field project - Chairman Canty advised that Article 16D is not moving forward for the Spring Town Meeting and will be No motion No action. Ms. Barrett advised that due to the late notice regarding Article 16D the budget for the Stephen’s Field amendment will be zero and $350,000 will be put in budgeted reserve.

Article 16F – Readdress CPC Budget – Chairman Canty noted that there are changes due to a mathematical error in the formula. Chairman Canty noted that this will be a motion to amend something previously adopted. Ms. Barrett noted that Article 16D the $350,000 for Stephens Field will be put in budgeted reserve. Mr. Nearman made a motion to amend something previously adopted, specifically Article 16F, with the most updated figures available to us, new and updated figures as outlined by Ms. Barrett, Finance, Director. Ms. O’Connell second. Motion carried unanimously (12-0-0).

Old/New/Other Business - Mr. Nearman brought up the recurring frustration regarding previous project failures and suggested that the Committee should seriously put it at the forefront. Ms. Butler thinks the Committee needs to be involved sooner and not after the initial decisions. The Committee discussed this topic and the following suggestions: • Proactively vet the articles • Request a more comprehensive 5-year plan from departments • Work closely with Departments in targeted groups • Vendor Management Plan (weed out unsatisfactory vendors) • Request information on quality, warranties, and best equipment for the situation • Submit questions and requests for detailed explanations from the Article author, in advance, • Review project paperwork and contact the Department responsible • Make people accountable so that they are creditable • Request progress reports on approved Articles • Vote No (don’t abstain) if there isn’t enough/satisfactory information • Find appropriate specialists that can answer the Committees questions • Recommend changes Chairman Canty advised that every Article that could be heard has been heard therefore he is cancelling the March 10 & March 11 meeting dates. The next meeting will be March 17th. If reconsideration or new articles arise, they will be heard on March 17th also. The Committee will most likely meet before Town Meeting and will be discussed on the 17th. Chairman Canty waived the presence of the Committee at the Town Meeting. Chairman Canty will assign Precinct Caucus coverage soon and forward to the Committee when completed.

Public Comment - None

Adjournment - Mr. Nearman motioned to adjourn. Ms. O’Connell second. Motion carried unanimously, (12-0-0). The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM

Submitted by Jeanette White Budget Analyst