2018-02-08-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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02/08/2018 AC Minutes Mr. Kanter reviewed the warrant articles on which the CEC has questions and/or may comment in its report to the Annual Town Meeting (ATM). He noted that he expects the CEC to support those articles not mentioned. The CEC questions/comments plus some supplemental information about the referenced articles included, but were not limited to, the following: • Appropriate for Advice and Analysis–Getting to Net Zero: The CEC has noted that although this is not a capital project, the CEC considers the requested funding to be fungible and suggests that it might be better used to help offset costs associated with major capital projects recently approved in the debt exclusion referendum. • Appropriate for Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Operating Budget and CPA Projects.- Conservation rojects:Conservation Land Acquisition: Information is not yet available. Community Center Sidewalk: The CEC is likely to support this project, but information is not yet available. 9 Oakland Street Renovation and Adaptive Re-Use: This is a non-town project for Douglas House, which houses and works with those who have brain injuries. The original reconstruction of the building received Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding, and the current project(to enhance the envelope of an ancillary building) is CPA eligible, according to Town Counsel. The request is for $200,000; the estimated project costs are over $400,000. The CEC voted to support this request—the only vote taken to date on 2018 ATM articles. Lowell Street/Farmview Affordable Housing Supplemental Funds: The appropriation request from the Lexington Housing Advisory Board has not, as yet, been submitted. Ms. Kosnoffnoted that she expects it to be for over $1.0 million. Mr. Kanter noted that there is a policy question about how much to pay for affordable housing. • Appropriate for Westview Cemetery Building Construction: Cemetery fees are expected to cover the cost of this project. • Appropriate for 45 Bedford Street/Fire Station Replacement: It isn't clear whether the $18 million request includes construction documents. It was noted that the debt exclusion vote was for a project, not an amount of money,but it is important that the costs do not substantially exceed the amounts discussed during the campaign; the State could intervene if the costs exceed those projections by more than 10%. • Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment: Hydrant Replacement Program: Mr. Kanter reported that there is conflicting information about how many hydrants are in Town; he would like verification that the program is aggressive enough for safety purposes. Center Streetscape Improvements Design: Mr. Michelson helped in reviewing the history of this project. Town Meeting previously appropriated funds intended to move the design to 100% of completion. Because of controversy over aspects of the plan that was to be designed, the schematic design phase was halted, and an ad hoc committee was created to review the design options and provide the Board of Selectmen(BoS)with recommendations related to sidewalk materials on the north side of Massachusetts Ave., lighting, and fixtures. Because of the new scope,the unused part of the previous appropriation can only support a 25% completion of 2