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Minutes of the Lexington Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) Meeting <br />January 29, 2013 <br />The Committee discussed the $600,000 Sidewalk Improvement CIP that includes both its <br />traditional residential - sidewalks projects and, this year, also a portion of the Hartwell <br />Avenue sidewalk project. There was appreciation expressed for the annual increases over <br />the past three years in funding for residential sidewalks, but the Committee supports more <br />funding than the $400,000 being requested for FY2014; in its opinion, the <br />residential - sidewalk program should be more aggressive. <br />Bill Hurley arrived at 9:05 A.M. <br />The Committee discussed the $690,000 request for Hartwell Avenue D &E funds. Mr. Lamb <br />commented that this is a lot of money for this project. Mr. Kanter said that the Hartwell <br />Avenue sidewalk project belongs with the Hartwell Avenue project. He made a motion to <br />support removing the portion of the Hartwell Avenue sidewalk project from the Sidewalk <br />Improvement project for residential sidewalks and put it into the project for the Hartwell <br />Avenue Infrastructure Improvements. Ms. Masterman seconded. <br />Discussion of the motion identified two points of agreement: The $200,000 for construction <br />of the Hartwell Avenue sidewalks is supported by the Committee; and it should not be <br />included with the project for residential sidewalks. Ms. Hai expressed concern that if the <br />Hartwell sidewalk project is added to the $690,000 D &E request and that article fails at <br />Town Meeting, then the sidewalk project will go unfunded. Mr. Lamb added that someone <br />could serve notice of reconsideration and pursue an amendment, but this is cumbersome. <br />Mr. Lamb also said that he did not want the sidewalk project combined with D &E funds <br />because then the money becomes fungible. Mr. Kanter said that these are two Hartwell <br />Avenue infrastructure projects and they belong together. Mr. Hurley noted the philosophical <br />merit of Mr. Kanter's point, but questioned whether this was a practical position for the <br />Town Meeting process. Vote: 2 -3 <br />Mr. Hurley suggested having a separate project for "Business Sidewalks ", but it was noted <br />that sidewalks are frequently included as part of larger projects, and it was questioned <br />whether sidewalks should be removed from every project. It also would be possible to have <br />two votes under the Hartwell Avenue Article at Town Meeting: one for the D &E portion and <br />one for the sidewalks. Mr. Lamb agreed that this would address his concern about the <br />funds becoming fungible. <br />Mr. Lamb stated he considers this is a policy question. He will ask Mr. Valente, Town <br />Manager, to remove the Hartwell sidewalk project from the residential sidewalk line item, <br />per the Committee's request. He will also share the various Committee members' concerns, <br />including support for a more robust residential sidewalk program, and let Mr. Valente <br />determine the best way to proceed. <br />Minutes: <br />It was moved and seconded to approve the May 29, 2012 Executive - Session Minutes. Of <br />the current Committee members, only Mr. Lamb and Mr. Kanter were present at the <br />meeting. Vote: 2 -0 -3 <br />Page 4 of 5 <br />