2016-05-06-CEC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the Lexington Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) Meeting May 6, 2016 Location and Time: Town Office Building, Reed Room (but relocated to the Cary Memorial Building's Cotton Room — having previously left a sign to that effect at the Reed Room), 7:30 A.M. Members Present: Jill Hai, Chair; David Kanter, Vice -Chair & Clerk; Elizabeth Barnett; Rod Cole; Wendy Manz Members Absent: None Others Present: Dr. Mary Czajkowski, Superintendent, Lexington Public Schools; Joe Pato, Chair, Board of Selectmen (BoS); Bill Hurley, Chair, School Committee (SC); Jessie Steigerwald, SC; Eileen Jay, SC; Kate Colburn, Appropriation Committee; Elaine Ashton, Town Meeting Member; Sara Arnold, Recording Secretary Note: As a concurrent SC meeting had not been posted, Ms. Steigerwald and Ms. Jay reported that they would only be observing this meeting and did not participate in any way in it. Documents Presented: • Notice /Agenda of CEC Public Meeting, May 6, 2016 • Revised DRAFT – Pelham Road Purchase – Evaluation; undated; Prepared by Ms. Barnett and Ms. Manz • Appropriation Committee's Report to the Special Town Meeting (STM) 2016 -2 and STM 2016 -4 (Part 2), Released May 6, 2016 • Pending Final Minutes of the CEC meeting, April 26, 2016 CaII to Order: Ms. Hai called the meeting to order at 7:30 A.M. STM 2016 -2, Article 2: Land Purchase -20 Pelham Road (the "Site "): Ms. Hai observed that when purchasing the Site was initially contemplated, it appeared to be ideal for addressing pressing school needs for additional space. Currently, it appears to be premature for the Town to make a commitment to a specific use for the Site, although the support for purchasing it is generally based on school - related needs. Buying it would provide flexibility in evaluating and addressing those needs over time. If it is ultimately determined that the Site is not needed, the property would not have lost value, and it could be sold. She suggested that enthusiastic support for the purchase by the SC is necessary if the Article is to be supported by Town Meeting. Dr. Czajkowski noted that the SC has supported the purchase of the property, but it is premature to identify a defined plan for its use. Mr. Hurley commented that he does not know of a better site in Town if a 7th elementary school is eventually needed. He added that the campus with the old Harrington Elementary School (now being used as the Central Offices with some of its space being used for special programs) and the new Harrington Elementary School (collectively the Harrington campus) is the only currently owned site that could conceivably accommodate a 7th elementary school, but this would create significant challenges, including issues related to traffic and parking. Subsequent discussion topics included: • Use of the Harrington campus for various needs; • Alternatives for accommodating the mandated Lexington pre - kindergarten program; Page 1 of 2