2016-03-21-CEC-ATM-rpt - Laserfiche WebLink

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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2016 ATM Programs Conservation and Open Space Following the Town's purchase of the Busa Farm property in 2012, the Town signed a lease with the Lexington Community Farm Coalition, Inc., to operate a community farm for a ten -year term commencing January 1, 2014, with options for two five -year renewal periods. Operation of the farm continues, with support of private donors. The 2012 ATM approved the acquisition of most of the Wright Farm property on Grove Street (12.6 acres) for open space, with an option to purchase the remaining parcel of the 43,446 square feet which the sellers reserved while they continued to live there. The 2015 ATM approved the exercise of the Town's option and the purchase of the remaining parcel for open space and community housing. Purchase of this property closed on February 11, 2016. The newly acquired parcel contains a single family home, which will be restored for community housing, and a barn, which, after needed restoration, is intended as a northern gateway to the Town and a public space for environmental education. After the use of each portion of the property is finalized, the lot will be divided to reflect the different uses for CPA purposes. The 2015 ATM approved the following additional requests: a) A joint request from the Conservation Commission, the Commission on Disability and the Recreation Committee to fund the design of an accessible trail at Parker Meadow. An RFP will be issued this spring; b) CPA funding to preserve meadow lands in Town by clearing woody vegetation and removing invasive species. Work on Hennessy Field was largely completed during summer 2015. Joyce Miller's Meadow is scheduled for the summer of 2016; and c) CPA funding to restore a paved Recreation Path along the Vine Brook. Phase I of the work, from the North Street parking lot to the Town tree farm, will be completed in 2016. Phase II, from the tree farm to Fairfield Drive, will be completed in 2017. For the FY2017 funding request, see Article 8(g). And continuing prior practice, the CPC is requesting funding of its administrative budget that includes support for Conservation Commission due - diligence efforts. (See Article 8(q)) 13