2013-01-29-CEC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the Lexington Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) Meeting January 29, 2013 The GCC had hoped to extend the path to the Battle Road, but this would require traversing private property, and it was not possible to work out an agreement with the owners. Also, plans for crossing Bedford Street have not been addressed. This Committee is pleased with the interconnectivity that would result if the project were to be implemented. In response to a question about the scale of financial resources needed over the next five years, Mr. Ohmart said that he anticipates needing $50,000 — $100,000 in FY2016 as the next increment. It may be possible to get some grant money from the State's Department of Conservation and Recreation. Member Concerns & Liaison Reports: Mr. Kanter provided updates in respect to projects reviewed by this Committee at previous meetings: • Hastings Park Gazebo Rehabilitation /Restoration: The CPC voted not to recommend this project because the CPC feels there is too much uncertainty about what the Town wants to address now that the planned work would trigger full compliance with The Americans with Disabilities Act. The CPC did not believe it likely that the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB) would grant a variance to those requirements (the gazebo is not historic) and it is not known how large a scale project the Town would want implemented at that site. • Lexington Center Pocket Park Design: Town Counsel estimated that legal costs associated with addressing the use of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds on private property (e.g., researching titles and drafting agreements) would amount to $5,750 per property owner. The CPC decided to support, at this time, just a pocket park in the Grain Mill Alley, which is owned by two private entities. The CPC voted to recommend $21,500 ($11,500 for legal expenses; $10,000 for design) for it. (The CPC is not recommending funding to the 2013 Annual Town Meeting for development of the Pedestrian Alley.) • Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB): The CPC discussed the status of the uncommitted funds previously provided to LexHAB. They amount to approximately $535,000 —about $85,000 of the $450,000 provided for FY2012 and all of the $450,000 provided for FY2013. Only the standard restrictions on the nature of the LexHAB housing funded under the CPA had applied to both of those appropriations. The CPC voted to require the FY2014 request for $450,000 be earmarked for the community housing planned for the Leary and /or Busa properties purchased by the Town under the CPA. Also, although LexHAB has been complying with the need to record with the title of properties purchased with CPA funding the use restrictions required by the CPA, the CPC has decided to revise the standard restrictions explicitly to do prescribe that. • School Technology Program: The Town of Wellesley has decided to pursue the expansion of its program to purchase iPads, but for the upcoming school year, the Town will purchase them rather than offering parents the option to purchase or lease Page 2 of 5