2017-03-21-AC-ATM-rpt - Laserfiche WebLink

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APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE-ATM 2017 • An improved annual mowing and maintenance regime will be provided,to promote native vegetation, to enhance wildlife habitat and safe recreational opportunities. The Committee recommends approval of this subpart(9-0). Article 10(f) Cotton Farm Conservation Area Improvements - $301,300 Eligible for CPA Funding as Open Space. The Cotton Farm Conservation Area is a 4-acre parcel purchased by the Town from the Cataldo Family in 2011 with assistance from the CPA program. Since the acquisition,various improvements were made,includ- ing: • Improved access from Marrett Road by adding a crosswalk and mitigating draining issues, • Nesting boxes installed for several bird species - a Girl Scouts project, • Renovating signage across Marrett Road to be more visible and more attractive to visitors to the prop- erty, • Improved mowing regime to better serve both passive recreation and wildlife habitat, and • Maintenance of the orchard and picnic by the Conservation Stewards. A Conservation Restriction for the property is currently being finalized,with assistance from the Citizens for Lexington Conservation. The current appropriation is sought for design and construction funds to address the following long term goals: • Removal and naturalization of a major portion of the current driveway and parking area, • Relocation and construction of the new parking area, and • Installation of an ADA accessible trail and pond viewing platform along the pond and wetlands on the property. The Committee recommends approval of this subpart(9-0). Article 10(g)Wright Farm Supplemental Funds -$37,900 Eligible for CPA Funding as Open Space. The Town of Lexington acquired a 12.6-acre parcel at Wright Farm in 2012 at the cost of$3,072,000, for con- servation purposes. A remaining portion of Wright Farm consisting of approximately 1 acre,including a house, a detached garage and a barn,was acquired in 2015 at the cost of$618,000. Town staff is currently working on the division of the parcel on which the farmhouse/garage and barn sit for community housing and conservation purposes. The parcel was recently cleared of unexpected environmental issues (pesticides in the soil) and is awaiting final regulatory approval by the DEP. Once the parcel is divided, LexHAB intends to utilize $200,000 in CPA funds (authorized under Article 5/November 2015 STM) for im- provements to the farmhouse and the Conservation Division intends to conduct a needs assessment and feasi- bility study of the barn to determine if the space is suitable for educational programming (as authorized under Article 8(g) of 2016 ATM). The current request for$37,000 in CPA funds under Article 10 (g)will supplement the legal work, site as- sessment work and land management originally associated with the 2015 purchase of the parcel. The Commit- tee recommends approval of this subpart(9-0). Article 10(h) Stone Building Feasibility Study- $25,000 Eligible for CPA Funding as Historic Resources. This study will investigate feasibility options available to preserve the Ellen Stone Building in East Lexing- ton,with the goal to make it totally accessible, to keep secure the artifacts, art, and documents on display on the first floor, and to make the upper floor open and usable by the public. The building has been vacant since 28