2018-06-27-CEC-ATM-rpt (Combined Report with Updates & Errata)

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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2018 ATM(incorporating Updates&Errata) At the 2009 ATM, under Article 45, Town Meeting approved the Planning Departments request to create a Traffic Management Overlay District (TMOD) for the Hartwell Avenue commercial corridor At the FY2011 ATM, under Article 20, a TMOD Stabilization Fund was established to receive the mitigation payments from commercial developers. That Fund has a current balance of$331,691.14. The 2017 ATM, under Article 12(u), approved the funding of a project for a safe and accessible crosswalk at the Bedford and Eldred Streets intersection. The early work by this Department was the foundation for that project. The design has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and work on this project is ongoing by DPW. Since the creation of the TMOD in 2009, changes have occurred within the district, such as the rehabilitation of the Hartwell Avenue bridge at Maguire Road, requiring an update of the TMOD Plan. (See Article 16(1).) The 2017 ATM, under Article 7, approved funding to undertake an update of the Town's Comprehensive Plan which was last completed in 2003. The Plan covers Land Use, Housing, Economic Development, Natural and Cultural Resources and Transportation. A task force of staff, citizens and Town officials has begun this work with public forums on transportation, housing, and economic development. Planning 5-Year Ap ropriation History Program FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 Transportation Mitigation $100,000 Comprehensive Plan $302,000 Totals $0I $0I $0I $OI $402,000 Economic Development The Economic Development Office serves as a liaison between businesses and local government. It works to retain and expand local businesses by providing information, conducting research, and leveraging State economic development tools and resources designed to improve the business environment. The Office maintains relationships with State-level partners for business development and infrastructure investment opportunities. The Office seeks to develop economic opportunities from tourism, and maintains and staffs the Lexington Visitors Center with sales revenue generated from the Visitors Center gift shop. Progress on the Battle Green Master Plan, as well as construction of an information and bike parking hub at Grain Mill Alley are currently deferred until a timetable is confirmed for the Lexington Center Streetscape project. (See Article 16(e)regarding the Streetscape project.) After several years of input from stakeholders regarding programming for a new Visitors Center, and design review from the Tourism and Permanent Building Committees, the Town is seeking the remaining funds—through construction—for the new building. (See Article 22 for the Town's request and Article 23 for a companion Citizens Article.) For FY2019, see Articles 22 &23. Economic Development 5-Year Capital Appropriation History(All Sources) Program FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 Battle Green Master Plan Lexington Center Pocket Park $21,500 Grain Mill Alley $18,000 $127,838 Totals $21,5001 $01 $18,0001 $127,8381 $0 37