2023-02-09-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

02/09/2023 AC Minutes 5 Mr. Bartenstein observed that even though LexPress was losing money and generating unnecessary pollution, it would be (politically) difficult to discontinue the service. He was skeptical that making the service free would make much difference. Mr. Malloy noted that ride-sharing applications, e.g., Uber and Lyft, had produced a strong shift in the use of public transportation. Mr. Malloy calculated that the actual cost per ride for LexPress ranged from $30 to $62, while an Uber ride covering the longest LexPress route would cost $10.50. Thus, the Town could theoretically save a substantial amount by simply reimbursing residents for Uber rides. Mr. Bartenstein asked about the MBTA’s program to provide door-to-door service for people with disabilities. Mr. Malloy stated that the MBTA program was not doing a good job meeting the needs of riders in Lexington. Mr. Bartenstein responded that if the Town paid for rides, it should be lim- ited to people with disabilities. Mr. Malloy agreed, and also noted that this would greatly compli- cate that kind of service. Stone Building. Mr. Malloy stated that the Town is working with the CPC on a design to make the building useful, assuming a tenant can be found. Mr. Malloy does not expect the Town would be able to fully re- coup the cost of renovation by leasing the building. The CPC asked the Town to break the Stone Building renovation into four phases: design, construction on the exterior, elevator and HVAC, and final finishes. Mr. Malloy stated that the Lexington Lyceum group suggested using an older design for the building that includes accessible restrooms and an elevator, but the design also divides the lower floor into many smaller rooms, which would eliminate any chance of using the lower floor for functions and events. Uses of the building must be approved the Library’s Board of Trustees, but that group has yielded its responsibility to the Select Board, which in turn delegated it to the Town Manager. Mr. Malloy’s goal is to create a building that is usable by the community, or by a third party on behalf of the community. There is no decision on the final use, but the design will identify structural components. Mr. Bartenstein asked if the current floor plan would be left intact. Mr. Cronin noted that the exist- ing interior walls were not structural and could be changed. Mr. Bartenstein asked if the Town had offered the space to the neighboring Follen Church. Mr. Malloy said the church might have been interested earlier, but they have now completed a renova- tion and have no need for additional space. Mr. Malloy said the Waldorf School had expressed in- terest in using the building. There has been no progress on that discussion, but the Waldorf School remains a possibility. Mr. Bartenstein noted that parking in the area would be very limited during school hours. Mr. Osborne asked if the Town had a policy for other buildings such as the East Lexington Fire Sta- tion and 173 Bedford St. The Town will perform a feasibility study to determine if the former build- ing can be renovated and continue serving as a fire station. Another option for the fire station would be a parcel of land the Town purchased from the Scottish Rite near the Community Center. The par- cel is adjacent to the “Commander’s House” and carries a restriction barring construction for 25 years. Mr. Malloy believes the restriction could be re-negotiated to permit a fire station. Mr. Osborne said he wanted to know if the Town would dispose of buildings that it could not use. Mr. Malloy said this would likely be the case for the East Lexington Fire Station, and that the parcel might be transferred to LexHAB. Mr. Malloy said that other than the Central Administration Build- ing at Harrington, there were no other buildings or parcels that the Town was prepared to dispose of