2017-02-15-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

02/15/2017 AC Minutes A motion was made and seconded to approved the transfer of $17,115 from the Reserve Fund into the budget line items needed for the project. The motion passed. VOTE: 9 -0 4. Proposed Sustainable Building Protocols Mr. Neumeier reported on discussions between the Department of Public Facilities (DPF) and stakeholders about efforts to develop a sustainable building policy in general and, in particular to incorporate sustainable components in the Hastings Elementary School design. Pat Goddard, DPF Director, is requesting feedback from the finance committees on a number of Hastings design issues. In response to questions, Mr. Neumeier observed that most of the proposals for sustainable components of the Hastings project appeared to offer credible cost savings over the life cycle of the buildings sufficient to repay cost of the investment, and therefore the cost to the taxpayer would be de minimis. It was generally agreed that investment in energy- saving features that will advance the Town toward net zero goals while at the same time paying for themselves are desirable, although care must be taken not to overestimate promised energy- saving benefits. However, this Committee does not have the expertise or bandwidth to research and evaluate the detailed proposals at Hastings; these are best addressed by the Permanent Building Committee and the Capital Expenditures Committee. 5. Discussion Regarding Outside Legal Fees Mr. Neumeier reported having received a breakdown of fees for outside legal services used by the Town and School Departments. He also spoke to Mary Czajkowski, Superintendent of Lexington Public Schools, about the use of outside counsel. He was pleased to learn that the school department had reduced its outside legal fees from $374,000 in FY2013 to $46,000 in FY2017 to- date. This was done primarily by reducing the number of phone calls to lawyers. Further discussion about the Town hiring inside counsel was postponed to a later date. 6. Next Meeting It was agreed that the next meeting would be on February 23, despite it being school vacation week when some members are not available. The Chair of the BoS has invited Committee members to attend the February 27 BoS meeting, when several financial issues will be on the agenda. 7. AC Report to 2017 Annual Town Meeting (ATM) and Special Town Meeting (STM) Mr. Bartenstein reported that this Committee's report to the STM should be completed by March 13 in anticipation of the 2017 ATM and the first 2017 STM both starting on March 20. A substantially complete initial draft of the STM report has been circulated. Although additional information about some of the articles is still needed, votes were taken on the following STM -1 articles, with the caveat that these could still be changed: • Article 2 Appropriate Design Funds for Fire Station; Funds Requested: $450,000: A motion was made and seconded to support this article. The motion passed. VOTE: 9 -0 • Article 3 Appropriate Design Funds for Fire Station Swing Space; Funds Requested: $50,000: A motion was made and seconded to support this article. The motion passed. VOTE: 9 -0 3