2015-03-12-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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03/12/15 AC Minutes additional $32,000 for granite, particularly if there are reservations about the advisability of its use.The BoS is supporting the funding for the larger amount, whichallows the project to be pursued irrespective of the materials-to-be-used decision. ATM, Article 8; Appropriate the FY2016 Community Preservation Committee Operating Budget and CPA Projects: (c) First Parish Church Restoration Historic Structure Report:This requestis controversialbecause the Church building is notTown property. The BoS voted 1-3-1 against it. (e) Battle Green Streetscape Improvements:This Article,supported by the BoS 5-0and the CEC 4-1,allows the design work on the project to progress from 25% to 100%. Completion of the 25% design work is targeted for the fall of 2015with previously appropriated funds. Without additionalfunding, the project wouldbe stalled at 25% until there is another Town Meeting. Efforts to find an improveddesign for the Harrington Avenue/Bedford Street intersection have been unsuccessful todate. (o) Grain Mill Alley Design Funds: This Article, whichrequestsadditional design funds for theproject, is not supported by the CEC. Interested parties envision it including amenities that support different modes of transportation. The property ownerswant to see the design before committing to a contractual agreement; an easement, or license, for approximately 25 years is anticipated. The owners have no plans for using the land, seeno particular advantage to them or their tenantsif the project is pursued, andhave declined to make contributions.Previously prepared designs, which cost $12,000-$14,000,were rejected, but the legal work and other elements have beenusable. If theArticleis approved, a steering committee will oversee the project with a different consultant. ATMArticle 11: Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment: (a) Center Streetscape Improvements and Easements—Phase 1: The CEC reversed its opposition to this Article and is now supporting it 4-1. They were influenced by information that identified only 11% of the project being related to aesthetic-onlyelements. The project design improves the lighting of crosswalks andmoves theisland to create a T- intersectionwhere atraffic signalwill be installed. Parking places onMassachusetts Avenue in front of the Muzzey condominiums will be identified. (k) Hastings Park Undergrounding Wires:The CEC opposes this item andthe BoS is unlikely to be unanimous in its position. Non-Capital Articles forthe 2015 ATM and associatedSTMs: 4.Non-capital financial articles, including those with potential financial implications, were discussed as follows: ATM, Article 21: Appropriate to Post Employment Insurance Liability Fund: Mr. Valente explained that the funds for this Article areavailable because of the excess that is in the Health Care Trust Fund and the amount beingrequestedreflects BoS guidelines. This Committee discussed its recommendation to reduce the funding request to an amount comparable to the $1.2 million that was appropriated during the 2014 ATM for this fund. Comments focused on the pressures on available funds and the subsequent impact on the taxpayer, asfollows: Large capital expenses are anticipated in the near future.Not minimizing the impact of these on the taxpayer could jeopardize passage of adebt exclusionreferendum. A new high school is not currently identified asa near term project, but the need to replace in the not-too-distant future should be considered. Small capital needs should not be ignored while the large projects are pursued. 2