2022-11-01-CEC-STM#3-rpt - Laserfiche WebLink

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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO STM 2022-3 this Committee believes is prudent given the current construction environment. The lifecycle cost of resistance heating is significantly higher because it would require electrical upgrades on both the external electric feed and the interior of the project. Although approximately $10,000 of the Article 16(h) appropriation remain unused, it will not be used for the construction funding and therefore will be released. Article 11: APPROPRIATE FOR Funds Funding Source Committee CENTER STREETSCAPE Requested Recommends SIDEWALK EXTENSION $700,000 Tax Levy Approval 6-0 "To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money to replace sidewalks in and around the Town center;and determine whether the money shall be provided by the tax levy,by transfer from available funds, by borrowing, or by any combination of these methods; or act in any other manner in relation thereto." "(Inserted by the Select Board)" "DESCRIPTION: The Center Streetscape Project was approved at the Spring 2020 Annual Town Meeting. The project focused on storefront to storefront along Massachusetts Ave and did not include sidewalks extending from the center. DPW has identified 3 areas that are in need of new sidewalks for both safety and aesthetics. These areas include: a) The sidewalks on Meriam Street from Mass Ave to the Alley (from Abbotts to Pinots Palette) and from Mass Ave to the Visitor's Center. Approximately 315 lineal feet. b) The sidewalks on both sides of the Emery Park driveway along the storefronts (from Eastern Bank to Sanyo and from Brookline Bank to Lexington Liquors). Approximately 316 lineal feet. c) The sidewalk on Edison Way from Mass Ave to the first driveway (from Beijing to the end of the building). Approximately 120 lineal feet" (Town Warrant) This article seeks funding for construction of sidewalks along three designated entryways extending Northward and perpendicular to Massachusetts Avenue in the center business district. This is essentially a proposed extension of the Center Streetscape Project. In keeping with the prior decision of the Select Board that sidewalks that were brick prior to commencement of the project should remain brick, these sidewalk extensions would be constructed of brick. State of the art curb cuts would also be installed, similar to other recent construction in the project. The DPW proposes engaging the same contractor (I. W. Harding Construction Co., Inc), using a Change Order,that is currently completing the Center Streetscape Project. This contractor has indicated availability to complete these sidewalk extensions in the 2023 construction season. The advantages of engaging the same contractor are (1) avoiding the need for a separate public procurement, which would likely be more expensive in today's environment, and(2)taking advantage of the fact that the Town has already given the contractor substantial feedback about the town's requirements for smoothness and quality of the brick, resulting in increased quality of construction as the Center Streetscape Project has progressed. This project has been advanced to Special Town Meeting so that the contractor can be engaged and prepared for the upcoming construction season. As these current sections of brick sidewalk are degraded and uneven (especially along Edison Way), this extension of the project would improve accessibility of the center business district from key points such as the Visitor's Center,the Depot,the parking area behind CVS, and the bikeway. This extension would also improve the overall look and feel of the project in areas readily visible from Massachusetts Ave. 4