2007-12-20-CPC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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behalf of the Town, in pursuing affordable housing that would be owned rather than rented. As a Town, Lexington has little to no experience with this. In a reverse situation, they would like to learn more about owning affordable housing from other communities just as these communities have learned about affordable rental housing from Lexington. Funds for this project will allow them to consider the possibility of beginning an affordable “ownership” program of this kind, which is in the long-term interest of the Town. Having determined what others have done, Bill stated that they would summarize the kind of program to adopt. Bill and Bob both expressed their delight at being able to partner with each other (LexHAB and Housing Partnership). Questions: 1. Richard Pagett, CPC mentioned that the first proposal had step-by-step costs. How did they arrive at $25,000? 3. Harrington Pre-School Playground (School Department) $75,000 – presented by Liz Billings-Fouhy Liz Billings-Fouhy introduced herself as the supervisor of early childhood education for the Town of Lexington stating that they serve children with and without special needs. She explained that two years ago when the new Harrington School was built, a pre-school playground was left off the agenda. Consequently, the School Department wishes to build an integrated playground designed for small children ages 3-5. This playground will be unlike others in town as they have been built for 5-12 year olds. Liz shared that parents have raised $20,000 over the last two years towards the cost. Currently, they have 70 kids who come to the pre-school and therefore, wish to build a structure that is accessible and developmentally appropriate. Questions: 1. Frank Sandy, TMM, Precinct 6, asked if the picture on the PowerPoint slide is what they would get for $75,000 or if it was a smaller part of it. Liz responded that it is only a piece of it. The overall structure would include a sandbox, two teeter totters, the surface below and other features. 2. David Kanter, Capital Expenditures Committee, asked about the $5,000 difference ($75,000 requested + $20,000 raised by families = $95,000) in relation to the total cost of $90,000. Liz explained that the $95,000 also includes topography and site preparation. 3. David Kanter also asked Town Counsel’s opinion on eligibility. Betsey Weiss, CPC Chair, responded that this project is eligible because it creates a new recreational resource in an area that was not originally a playground. 4. School Administration Building/Old Harrington (School Department) $350,000 – presented by Mary Ellen Dunn, Pat Goddard Pat Goddard, Director of Facilities and Grounds, opened by saying it is yet to be determined whether or not the Town will need five or six elementary schools in the future based on demographics and school enrollment. He explained that the School Department had been using Old Harrington as swing space and moved central school administration into this vacant space this past year – 22 staff members in all. That number, however, has grown more recently and is now closer to 50 with the Facilities Department staff having moved in. Facilities will occupy the space until summer 2009, when they will Public Meeting 12.20.07 Minutes – FINAL 1.16.08 2