2013-08-30-Ad hoc Townwide Facilities Master Planning Committee (Final Report of Committee)

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Ad Hoc Townwide Facilities Master Planning Committee (Committee) has completed the tasks requested by the Board of Selectmen and herewith submits this Final Report of its work. The broadest task for the Committee was to "evaluate the various facility needs for the Town and develop a plan of recommendations to be considered over a 10 -year period" To that end, the Committee has: I. Selected a consultant experienced in municipal facilities master planning, The Cecil Group, Inc., through the Designer Selection Process, M.G.L Ch.7. The Cecil Group provided technical expertise and information for the Committee's consideration. 2. Reviewed the previously completed studies and reports, including the Central Fire Station (2008, 2011 and 2012), Police Station (2010 and 2011), Visitors Center (2012 and 2013), Senior Center (2008), Community Center (2012), Cary Memorial Building (2011 and 2013), Hosmer House (previously called the White House) (2010), Stone Building (2009), Munroe Center for the Arts (2007 and 2009) and Town Schools as listed in the Final Report of the School Committee's Ad Hoc Facility Committee (2009 with 2012 and 2013 updates). In addition, the Committee specifically considered the Town's interests at the Waldorf School of Lexington, options for the East Lexington Fire Station at 39 Marrett Road, and needs and priorities related to the Maria Hastings School and the High School. 3. With the input from Department heads and Committee liaisons, assessed facility deficiencies identified in the previous studies as to the impact on delivery of services and examined whether the previously reported program of spaces met the current needs for service delivery. 4. Acquired ideas and suggestions for townwide facility planning from the input of Town residents who attended the February 2, 2013 public workshop at the Cary Memorial Building. 5. Discussed the priority for actions on the Town facilities. While the Committee did not set specific priorities for all the Town's facilities, the Committee recommends the following: a. The public safety buildings - the Central Fire Station and Police Station - and Maria Hastings School should be advanced as the most important municipal and school projects, respectively. • Consistent with the Selectmen's FY2014 goals, site selection shall proceed sized for a potential combined public safety facility. • Depending on the results of the site selection process, the Central Fire Station and Police Station should be considered as either combined or separate facilities, with the most appropriate site or sites to accommodate the desired building program. • Enrollment statistics for the Maria Hastings School have met the School Committee's criteria for considering the renewal or TOWNWIDE FACILITIES MASTER PLANNING E -1