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01/11/2023 AC Minutes <br />3 <br />and new stairs. There is a transition from the lower ground entrance to the floors in the existing <br />building. <br />Mr. Kanter asked what kind of fuel would be used to drive the new HVAC system. Mr. Healy stated <br />it would be electric. Mr. Kanter asked if solar power would be included in the design. Mr. Healy <br />stated they have discussed it but would only do so if solar was “efficient and not [merely] sym- <br />bolic”. <br />The Munroe Center hired and paid Brian Healy Architects to produce a design and a related cost es- <br />timate. The Committee asked why the Munroe Center should be paying for this, and strongly sug- <br />gested that the expense for architectural design services on a Town-owned building should be borne <br />by the Town. <br />Ms. Yan asked if the rent would increase to help pay for the project. Ms. Burwell noted that she ex- <br />pected higher operating expenses after the project is complete, but she had no plans to increase the <br />rent for tenants, and Ms. Kosnoff stated that the Town did not expect to raise the rent under the cur- <br />rent lease. <br />Mr. Osborne asked about the parking situation at the building. Mr. Healy stated that they are re- <br />quired to provide 42 parking spaces with 2 ADA spaces. They are trying to minimize asphalt and <br />maximize green space while improving safety and access for emergency vehicles. <br />Mr. Osborne asked if changes to the parking would affect utility service to the building. Mr. Healy <br />noted that the project needed to manage all stormwater runoff from the new addition and that there <br />will be a stormwater management system with collection basins. <br />Mr. Michelson asked for clarification on the cost spreadsheet for the project that was provided to <br />the Committee, since he could not find line items for the cost of the HVAC system and elevator. <br />Mr. Healy explained that the full cost estimate was 42 pages, and that the spreadsheet sent to the <br />Committee showed only a summary of suggested reductions in scope and cost, so the costs for the <br />HVAC and elevator are not shown as separate items. <br />Mr. Parker asked what needs would remain for the building once this project was completed. Mr. <br />Poltorzycki stated that Mr. Healy had developed a master plan that covered many areas on the cam- <br />pus, but the urgent need for improvements to accessibility and HVAC superseded any other work. <br />Funding for additional changes will be difficult for the Munroe Center to raise and would likely not <br />be feasible within the next 3–5 years. Mr. Poltorzycki stated that the building is in good condition <br />for its age, but that it will eventually require further maintenance. Mr. Healy stated that the current <br />project design anticipates future growth, and that they avoided spending in areas that might conflict <br />with future projects. Ms. Burwell stated that this year they have painted the building exterior, com- <br />pleted the window upgrades, and replaced the roof, but that the gutters need some attention. She <br />feels that the building is in “pretty decent shape”. Mr. Poltorzycki noted that a more intense renova- <br />tion would have interrupted programming, which they wanted to avoid, but that he feels they will be <br />set for at least the next five years. <br />Mr. Bartenstein asked about the fee structure for tenants in the building. Ms. Burwell noted that <br />they impose a building restoration fee. Mr. Poltorzycki stated that they have three large tenants who <br />pay rent, along with ten studio artists, and the Munroe Center runs a visual arts program that <br />charges fees to students. Mr. Poltorzycki stated that the lease requires the Munroe Center to cover <br />all operational costs. Mr. Bartenstein asked if annual revenue was adequate to cover expenses. Mr. <br />Poltorzycki stated that they operate “in the black” every year.