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4/3/13 Minutes Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee April 3, 2013 Place and time: Reed Room, Town Office Building, 6:30 p.m. Members present. Glenn Parker, Chair; John Bartenstein, Vice Chair and Secretary; Robert Cohen; Alan Levine; Susan McLeish; Eric Michelson; Richard Neumeier; Jonina Schonfeld; Rob Addelson (non- voting, ex officio) Members Absent: Mollie Garberg Other attendees: Aaron Henry, Assistant Planning Director The meeting was called to order at 6:37 p.m. 1. Announcements: Mr. Levine reported on the Ad hoc Town -wide Facilities Master Planning Committee (MPC) meeting that had taken place that morning. That Committee voted, by a vote of 1 -4 -2, against a motion to support indefinite postponement of an appropriation for design and engineering funds under Article 8c (Cary Memorial Building Upgrades). Some had argued at the MPC meeting that postponement would give the MPC time to complete its work of recommending building project priorities and timing before a decision is made to proceed with the Cary Memorial Building renovations. Mr. Levine added that the MPC had discussed the possible use of the Cary building, especially the lower level where Estabrook Hall is located, for swing space while the police station is renovated or rebuilt in its current location, should that be pursued by the Town. Those discussions touched on whether the potential swing space use should influence the timing of the proposed renovations. The point was made by several at the meeting that much of the proposed work — including, for example, the renewal of mechanical and electrical systems, accessibility upgrades, and improvements to life safety systems — would not be compromised if the building were to be used later to provide swing space. After considering this report, Appropriation Committee did not express an interest in revisiting its present position of support for the Article 8c appropriation. 2. HOME Partnership: Mr. Parker stated that Deborah Mauger, Board of Selectmen Chair, had asked this Committee to make a recommendation regarding the Town's continued participation in a HOME consortium that receives funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Aaron Henry briefly described the HOME consortium and Lexington's participation in the program, and answered questions posed by Committee members. The program is administered by the City of Newton. Earlier in the year, Newton expressed interest in a different model for managing the program funds that could have been disadvantageous to Lexington. Lexington considered withdrawing from the program, and Newton in response agreed to modify its proposal to address Lexington's concerns, and to ensure that all participating towns will eventually receive a fair share of the program funding.