2013-11-04-STM-AC-rpt - Laserfiche WebLink

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APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE REPORT TO THE NOVEMBER 2013 STM sulted in major inconveniences during future construction phases due to the need to work around existing programs and occupants. After further discussions with town staff and committee liaisons, an expanded scope for Phase 1 was de- veloped. The current proposal for Phase 1 includes all of the work necessary to: • avoid major disruptions to staff and public programs in the future, • replicate or improve all services currently provided by departments moving into the building, • make the facility more flexible, including increased floor -load capacity and additional restrooms. The Town's Human Services Department and the Senior Center (both currently hosted in the Muzzey Condominiums) will be able to relocate to 39 Marrett Road as soon as Phase 1 is completed, currently estimated to be in the fall of 2014. Funds to address accessibility issues in the Muzzey Condominium space were previously appropriated by Town Meeting, but have not been spent in anticipation of this move. The need for a higher quality space for the Senior Center is thus a key driver in the current pro- posal. The Town's Recreation Department will also be able to move in to 39 Marrett Road, allowing closer co- ordination between Human Services and Recreation. This will ultimately simplify renovation work on the Cary Memorial Building, portions of which are currently used for storage by the Recreation Department. The current estimate of $3,169,000 versus the initial $962,000 estimate should be considered in the con- text of the "full build" estimate of $9,500,000. The intent of this proposal is not to add additional costs above and beyond the "full build" estimate, but to advance to an earlier date the implementation of a larg- er portion of the "full build." On Thursday, October 24, 2013, the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) met to consider this re- quest. Town Counsel advised the CPC that items in the request totaling $322,816 were of questionable eligibility CPA financing. These items represent approximately 10% of the total request. The CPC then recommended that the balance of $2,846,184 be funded using CPA funds. The breakdown of CPA funds would be $602,756 from the CPA Historic Resources Reserve, $1,984,118 from the CPA Unbudgeted Reserve, and $259,310 from the CPA Undesignated Fund Balance. Details of the funding source for the items not covered by CPA funds will be presented at the Special Town Meeting. The Committee recommends approval of this request (6 -0). Col