2006-10-05-CPC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. McSweeney: will the LHS seek CPA funding for the actual reconstruction costs? Ms. Bennett – yes, the Society will apply, but their first priority is to receive a grant from the National Park Service’s Save America’s Treasures program. They will also seek additional funding from the MHC and other foundations and corporate sponsors. Mr. McSweeney: is there any prohibition from moving the building out of town? Ms. Bennett – no, but the LHS has no intention to do so. They will continue to operate the building as a historic house museum in Lexington Sandy Shaw: will the sale of the land across the street generate funds to help pay for the project? Ms. Bennett – no, that money will be used to retire outstanding debt on the Depot Square building. Richard Pagett: are the interior doorways large enough to accommodate wheelchairs for handicapped access? Ms. Bennett – no, the LHS plans to seek a variance for the historic doorways. Their architect is suggesting a plan to hinge the doors so that they can be opened to permit wheelchair access without affecting the appearance of the historic doors. They will have some sort of virtual accessibility for the second floor spaces. Accessibility is an important priority for the Society, especially since they recently had to refuse a request for a tour from a Hastings third grade class – a wheelchair-bound student could not be accommodated safely. Wendy Manz: is this project part of a larger plan to restore all of the LHS’s properties? Ms. Bennett – yes, the LHS has recently completed a strategic plan and has received a federal grant to analyze all of the Society’s historic properties. Buckman Tavern and Munroe Tavern are in quite good shape. They may consider work on the back of Munroe Tavern (1930s addition) and add handicapped access. The barn behind the Hancock-Clarke House has some structural issues. b. Freight elevator for the Lexington Depot Building – request for $44,000 – Susan Bennett, Executive Director, Lexington Historical Society Ms. Bennett described the project: The Depot Building has a large multipurpose space and two small offices for the LHS. The Society makes the space available for community groups and non-profits. When the recent construction occurred, an elevator shaft was provided but there were insufficient funds to build the elevator. The elevator would provide access to the storage space for table and chairs. Currently the situation is a bit difficult to deal with, since to keep rental costs down, the LHS requires user groups to do their own setup and dismantling. The elevator will make the building much more functional for the LHS and for the community. The rest of the reconstruction project was funded privately through a capital campaign; it is now being completed with the restoration of the cupola. Mr. Pagett: when the LHS finishes the restoration, using CPA funds, and pays off the outstanding debt with the land sale on Hancock Street, will it own the building free and clear? Ms. Bennett – yes, and this is important, because of all of the other projects, including Hancock Clarke, that the LHS is dealing with. - 2 -