HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-27-CPC-ATM-rpt Town of Lexington
Community Preservation Committee
Report to
2017 Annual Town Meeting
Article 10: Community Preservation Committee,
Community Preservation Act Projects
Submitted by:
Marilyn Fenollosa, Chair
Richard Wolk, Vice Chair
Norman Cohen
Charles Hornig
David Horton
Jeanne Krieger
Robert Pressman
Sandra Shaw
Melinda Walker
Elizabeth Mancini, Administrative Assistant
Approved March 27, 2017
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Criteria for Project Selection 5
Table of Allowable Uses 8
Article 10 9
(a) Interpretive Signage Project 9
(b) Parker's Revenge Interpretive and Public Education Signage and Displays 10
(c) Greeley Village Rear Door and Porch Supplemental Request 11
(d) Affordable Units Preservation-Judges Road/Pine Grove 12
(e)Willard's Woods and Wright Farm Meadow Preservation 14
(f) Cotton Farm Conservation Area Improvements 15
(g)Wright Farm Supplemental Funds 16
(h) Stone Building Feasibility Study 17
(i)Munroe School Window Restoration 18
(j) Center Streetscape Improvements 19
(k) Community Center Sidewalk 20
(1)Park Improvements-Athletic Fields 21
(m) Town Pool Renovation 22
(n) Park and Playground Improvements 24
(o) CPA Debt Service 25
(p) Administrative Budget 27
Status Report on Prior Years' Projects 28
CPF Account Balances -2017 Annual Town Meeting 51
FY18 CPA Project Costs and Summary 52
FY19 Available Balance (after 2017 ATM) 53
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Community Preservation Committee
Annual Town Meeting 2017
Summary of Recommended Community Preservation Act Projects
under Article 10 for Annual Town Meeting
FY 2018
The Community Preservation Committee (CPC)is recommending 12 projects to the 2017
Annual Town Meeting for funding under Article 10. Four projects fall within the area of
Historic Preservation, three under Open Space, three under Recreation and two under
Community Housing.
Described on pages 9 through 24, each project was reviewed and evaluated by the CPC in
light of its statutory eligibility and importance to the Town; all 12 received Town Counsel
approval. All FY18 applications were discussed in public CPC meetings and were presented at
the Town Meeting Members Association Information Session on March 9, 2017. The total cost
of the 12 projects which the CPC is recommending to Annual Town Meeting is $4,014,142.
The CPC is also recommending approval of Debt Service and Administrative Expenses to
be paid from the Community Preservation Fund. There are four commitments for debt service,
which include payments for the Wright Farm Acquisition, the Community Center Acquisition,
Community Center Renovations and Cary Memorial Building Upgrades. The approved
Administrative Budget remains constant at $150,000. These Administrative and Debt Service
costs total $2,540,998 and are detailed on pages 25 through 27.
The CPC also sends its thanks and good wishes to long-time members Richard Canale
(Planning Board) and Leo McSweeney (Lexington Housing Authority) and short-time member
Bob Peters (Lexington Housing Authority), all of whom left the CPC in the last year. We are
grateful for their knowledge,perspective and commitment to community preservation in
Lexington. We also send our farewells and gratitude to Rob Addelson, former Assistant Town
Manager for Finance, for his continued patience and advice, keeping the Committee on sound
financial footing since the CPA's inception in Lexington. The CPC, and indeed the Town, has
been well served by all of their contributions.
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Community Preservation Act
The CPA is a state statute which individual communities in the Commonwealth may
choose to adopt; Lexington adopted the statute by a vote of Town Meeting in 2006. CPA
communities impose a surcharge on their own property taxes of up to 3%, and funds
raised from the surcharge are restricted to use for projects in four categories: community
housing, historic resources, open space and recreation. To support expenditures in these
areas, the state "matches" the funds raised by the community surcharges annually at a
certain percentage.
Lexington elected a 3% surcharge on both residential and commercial taxpayers. Mindful
of the burden on homeowners, however, the Town also adopted provisions which exempt
the first $100,000 of home value from the surcharge and grant a total exemption from the
surcharge to lower income residents. In FY17, the annual surcharge averaged $361.71
billed per Lexington household. Our commercial and industrial taxpayers were billed
$871,478.80 in FY17, representing approximately 19% of our billed CPA surcharges.
The state match is distributed annually, based on the prior year's surcharge receipts. The
match was originally 100%, but has declined since 2006 as additional communities have
adopted the statute and joined the funding pool. The state match derives its revenue from
fees collected at the Registries of Deeds across the state, but those fees have never been
adjusted since CPA was signed into law in 2000.
During the last three consecutive fiscal years, Lexington has benefitted from surplus
transfers from the state budget to the CPA Trust Fund. The FY16 budget authorized the
transfer of$10 million from the FY15 budget surplus, the FY15 budget authorized the
transfer of$11.4 million from the FY14 budget surplus and the FY14 budget authorized
the transfer of$25 million from the FY13 budget surplus. In July 2016, Governor Baker
signed the fiscal year 2017 state budget which authorized the transfer of$10 million from
the FY16 budget surplus, marking the fourth year the state budget included a surplus
transfer to the CPA Trust Fund. Unfortunately, the FY16 state budget ultimately closed
with a $0 balance, therefore eliminating the possibility of the $10 million transfer to the
fund.
In 2016, a record 16 communities in Massachusetts placed CPA adoption on their ballots.
11 of those communities voted during the November election to adopt the Community
Preservation Act, including the cities of Boston and Springfield. While most of the
adopting communities voted for just a 1% or 1.5% surcharge (Watertown adopted a 2%
surcharge), the impact of these additional communities on future state disbursements will
be seen in future fiscal years.
While Lexington's FY17 state match is heavily impacted by the lack of state budget
surplus funds and its FY18 state match expected to be impacted by the additional CPA
communities, CPA advocates hope that these foreseeable decreases will strengthen the
effort to pass legislation that calls for a permanent fix to the CPA Trust Fund. A piece of
legislation introduced in 2015 entitled,An Act to Sustain Community Preservation
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Revenue, calls for a review of the fees collected at the Registries of Deeds (the trust
fund's primary source of funding). If passed, it would call upon the Department of
Revenue to calculate the necessary fees that would allow for all CPA communities to
receive a 50% match in their first round distribution. The bill received a favorable
recommendation from the Joint Committee on Revenue in 2015. The legislation was
filed at the State House in January 2017 and was co-sponsored by 120 legislators,
including all of Lexington's delegation, in addition to the three bill sponsors.
Given the increased number of CPA communities competing for limited funds and the
uncertainty of future state budget surplus transfers and pending legislation, the Town
continues to maintain a conservative 21% state match estimate for FY18. The chart
below shows the state Matching Funds to date.
Record of Lexington's CPA State Matching Funds
(Source: Massachusetts Department of Revenue)
CPA STATE MATCHING FUNDS
TO DATE
FISCAL PERCENTAGE AMOUNT
YEAR
2008 100.00 $2,556,362
2009 69.40 $1,927,708
2010 36.17 $1,060,390
2011 28.22 $858,729
2012 27.62 $885,463
2013 27.79 $929,507
2014 54.09 $1,932,347
2015 32.56 $1,230,116
2016 30.70 $1,229,774
2017 21.30 $897,243
TOTAL $13,507,639
Community Preservation Committee
The CPA requires each adopting community to appoint a Community Preservation Committee.
By Lexington Bylaw, the CPC comprises nine members, of whom three are appointed by the
Board of Selectmen as at-large members and six are appointed by the following boards and
committees: Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Historical Commission, Housing
Partnership, Housing Authority, and Recreation Committee. Marilyn Fenollosa, the
representative from the Historical Commission, currently serves as Chair, with Richard Wolk
from the Conservation Commission serving as Vice-Chair. The CPC welcomed two new
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members in 2016: Charles Hornig (Planning Board Appointee) and Melinda Walker(Housing
Authority Appointee).
The CPC is responsible for reviewing applications for funding under the CPA and
recommending to Town Meeting expenditures of CPA funds on those projects it supports each
year. Committee decisions are made within the framework of a CPC planning document, Town
of Lexington Community Preservation Plan:A Needs Assessment, which is updated annually
after the Committee receives comments at a public hearing. This document can be found on the
CPC website at the reference below. The CPC works closely with the Finance Department staff
and the Capital Expenditures Committee and Appropriation Committee in tracking CPA fund
balances and expenditures,projecting available funding for future years, and planning fund
allocations for each of the areas eligible for CPA funding: community housing, historic
resources, open space and recreation. The CPC Administrative Assistant currently tracks over
50 ongoing CPC projects, for which updates are given in this report after the FY18 Project
Descriptions.
Since Lexington's adoption of the Community Preservation Act in 2006, the CPC has
recommended and Town Meeting has approved a total of$61,524,822 for CPA projects
(exclusive of administrative expenses). These funds have supported 52 historic
preservation projects,preserved 87 acres of open space, created or preserved 34
recreational facilities, and created or supported 355 units of affordable housing. Of this
total, $13,507,639 or 22% of the Town's total project costs (exclusive of
Administrative expenses) have been received from the State as matching funds.
For further information about the CPC,please visit the CPC's page of the Town's
website, http://www.lexingtonma.gov/community-preservation-committee.
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TOWN OF LEXINGTON
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
General Criteria for Project Selection
The Lexington Community Preservation Committee reviews proposals that are eligible for
funding under the Community Preservation Act (CPA), specifically projects for:
• The acquisition, creation, and preservation of open space;
• The acquisition,preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of historic resources;
• The acquisition, creation,preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of land for
recreational use;
• The acquisition, creation,preservation, and support of community housing; and
• The rehabilitation and restoration of open space and community housing that is acquired
or created with CPA funding.
Preference will be given to proposals that:
• Preserve or utilize currently owned Town assets;
• Preserve the essential character of the Town as described in the Comprehensive Plan;
• Are consistent with other current planning documents that have received wide scrutiny
and input and have been adopted by the Town;
• Receive endorsement by other municipal boards or departments;
• Save resources that would otherwise be threatened;
• Benefit a currently under-served population;
• Serve more than one CPA purpose (especially in linking open space, recreation and
community housing);
• Demonstrate practicality and feasibility to be implemented expeditiously and within
budget;
• Produce an advantageous cost/benefit value;
• Leverage additional public and/or private funds; and
• Provide long-term contributions to the Town.
Category Specific Criteria
Open space proposals that receive preference are those which:
• Preserve and/or restore threatened or deteriorating public lands;
• Permanently protect important wildlife habitat, and areas containing diverse vegetation,
geologic features, and habitat types,particularly those supporting threatened or
endangered species;
• Promote connectivity of habitat and protect or enhance wildlife corridors;
• Provide opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education;
• Provide connections with existing trails or potential trail linkages;
5
• Preserve scenic views and those areas which border a scenic road;
• Provide flood control/storage;
• Preserve important surface water bodies, including wetlands, vernal pools or riparian
zones; and
• Preserve priority parcels identified in the Open Space Plan.
Historical Resources proposals that receive preference are those which:
• Protect,preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate historic, cultural, architectural or
archaeological resources of significance, especially those that are threatened, including
those within a Lexington Historic District, on the State or National Historic Register, or
eligible for placement on such registers, or on the Lexington Historical Commission's
Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey;
• Protect,preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate Town-owned properties, features or
resources of historical significance;
• Protect,preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate the historical function of a property
or site;
• Provide permanent protection for a historic resource;
• Support the adaptive reuse of historic properties; and
• Demonstrate a public benefit.
Community Housing proposals that receive preference are those which:
• Add affordable units to the Town's Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) so as to
maintain at least 10% of Lexington's housing as affordable;
• Intermingle affordable and market rate housing at levels that exceed state requirements
for the percentage of affordable units;
• Ensure long-term affordability;
• Give priority to local residents, Town employees, and employees of local businesses;
• Promote use of existing buildings or construction on previously developed or Town-
owned sites;
• Provide housing that is harmonious in design, scale, setting and materials with the
surrounding community; and
• Promote a socioeconomic environment that encourages diversity.
Recreational Land proposals that receive preference are those which:
• Support multiple active and passive recreation uses;
• Serve a significant number of residents;
• Expand the range of recreational opportunities to serve Lexington residents of all ages;
• Jointly benefit Conservation Commission and Recreation Committee initiatives;
• Maximize the utility of recreational resources and land already owned by Lexington; and
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• Promote the creative use of railway and other corridors to create safe and healthful non-
motorized transportation opportunities.
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Community Preservation Fund Allowable Spending Purposes
OPEN SPACE HISTORIC RESOURCES RECREATIONAL LAND COMMUNITY HOUSING
DEFINITIONS (G.L.c.44B§2) Land to protect existing and future well Buildings,structures,vessels,real Land for active or passive recreational Housing for low and moderate income
fields,aquifers and recharge areas, property,documents or artifacts listed use including,but not limited to,the use individuals and families,including low
watershed land,agricultural land, on the State Register of Historic Places of land for community gardens,trails, or moderate income seniors.Moderate
grasslands,fields,forest land,fresh and or deemed by the local historic noncommercial youth and adult sports, income is less than 100%,and low
salt water marshes and other wetlands, preservation commission to be and the use of land as a park,playground income is less than 80%,of US HUD
ocean,river,stream,lake and pond significant in the history,archeology, or athletic field.Does not include horse Area Wide Median Income.
frontage,beaches,dunes and other coastal architecture or culture of the city or or dog racing or the use of land for a
lands,lands to protect scenic vistas,land town. stadium,gymnasium or similar structure.
for wildlife or nature preserves and land
for recreational use.
ACQUIRE
Obtain property interest by gift,purchase, YES YES YES YES
devise,grant,rental,rental purchase,lease or
otherwise.Only includes eminent domain taking
as provided by G.L.c.44B.
CREATE
To bring into being or cause to exist.Seidernan YES PATO YES YES
v.City of Newton,452 Mass.472(2008)
PRESERVE
Protect personal or real property from injury, YES YES YES YES
harm or destruction.
SUPPORT
Provide grants,loans,rental assistance,security No NO NO YES,
deposits,interest rate write-downs or other including funding for affordable
forms of assistance directly to individuals and housing trusts
families who are eligible for community
housing,or an entity that owns,operates or
manages such housing for the purpose of
making housing affordable.
REHABILITATE/RESTORE
Make capital improvements,or extraordinary YES, YES YES YES,
repairs to make assets functional for intended if acquired with CPA funds if acquired with CPA funds
use,including improvements to comply with
federal,state or local building or access codes or
federal standards for rehabilitation of historic
properties.
8 Adapted from information provided by Massachusetts Department of Revenue,Division of Local Services
ARTICLE 10 (a)
Project: Interpretive Signage Project
CPA Category: Historic Resources
Amount Requested: $38,400
Amount Recommended: $38,400
CPC Vote: (9-0)
Project Description:
In 1975, the Lexington Historical Society, in cooperation with the Town's Bicentennial
Committee, established historic walking trails in Lexington in the areas comprising the historic
districts: the Battle Green and Lexington Center, Hancock Street, the Munroe District and East
Lexington. A total of 32 interpretive signs was placed along those trails. A walking guide to the
trails was also published but is now out of print.
The initial interpretive signage project has largely stood the test of time but there are missing
signs and those requiring upgrades. Currently, the signs are mounted on telephone pole sections
but many of the poles are rotting. This project seeks to replace a total of four missing signs,
replace eight existing damaged signs, re-mount three signs that are currently in storage, update
signage content where necessary, replace existing wooden mounts with metal mounts and
expand the trail through the addition of eight new signs. Funds will also be used to create a new
laminated map that can be used by interested parties walking on the trails.
Project Goals and Objectives:
• Reinvigorate the existing interpretive signage along Lexington's historic walking trails;
and
• Implement a modest expansion of the signage,particularly in Lexington Center.
Project Benefit:
The rehabilitation of the interpretive signage project and the expansion of signs along the
walking trails will encourage exploration of Lexington's history by both residents and visitors.
Funding Request:
This project requests $38,400 in CPA funds to cover the proposed improvements and expansion.
The Lexington Historical Society will oversee the design,production and installation process and
the production of the trail guide as an in-kind contribution.
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ARTICLE 10 (b)
Project: Parker's Revenge Interpretive and Public
Education Signage and Displays
CPA Category: Historic Resources
Amount Requested: $41,350
Amount Recommended: $41,350
CPC Vote: (8-0-1)
Project Description:
At the 2015 Annual Town Meeting, $36,790 in CPA funds were appropriated for Phase I of the
Parker's Revenge Site Restoration, a project aimed at restoring a heroic battlefield on which the
second battle of Lexington was fought on April 19, 1775. The FY16 funding supported field
studies and three metallic surveys that successfully uncovered 29 fired and unfired musket balls
and other important artifacts from the Parker's Revenge Battle.
The Friends of Minuteman National Park submitted this FY18 request for funding to support
Phase II of the project. CPA funds will support the design, fabrication and installation of a wall-
mounted, museum quality exhibit case constructed to house the archaeological artifacts
discovered during Phase I. It will also fund the design and installation of graphic wayside
exhibit panels and the development of a solar powered audio component for external exhibit
panels.
Project Goals and Objectives:
• Design, fabricate and install a wall-mounted, museum quality exhibit case constructed to
house archaeological artifacts discovered during Phase I;
• Design and install graphic wayside exhibit panels; and
• Develop a solar powered audio component for external exhibit panels.
Project Benefit:
This project aims to preserve, restore and maintain the historic Parker's Revenge battle site and
to educate the public of the battle's significance as it relates to the Revolutionary War. The
project seeks to bring history to life for the enrichment and enjoyment of the community. The
Visitors Center exhibit and wayside signage will also offer a Town-wide, long term cultural
benefit preserved within the boundaries of Minute Man National Historical Park based in
Lexington.
Funding Request:
While the total project cost is $116,350, the Friends of Minuteman National Park request
$41,350 in FY18 CPA funds. The $75,000 difference is planned for the battlefield rehabilitation
component of the project and will be funded separately through private donations, including a
$45,000 grant previously awarded to the organization.
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ARTICLE 10 (c)
Project: Greeley Village Rear Door and Porch Supplemental
Request
CPA Category: Community Housing
Amount Requested: $56,712
Amount Recommended: $56,712
CPC Vote: (9-0)
Project Description:
The Lexington Housing Authority (LHA)is the primary provider of low and moderate income
housing for residents of the Town of Lexington. The 2016 Annual Town Meeting approved
$263,250 in CPA funds to help finance a portion of the preservation of all rear exit doors and
porches at Greeley Village, one of Lexington's affordable housing developments located off of
Bedford Street.
LHA submitted this supplemental FY18 request to cover the cost of unforeseen issues related to
the porch decking material. After a more in-depth analysis was conducted, it was determined
that the porch decking (which was not in the original scope of work)is also in disrepair and
requires replacement. The architect's suggestion is to replace the existing porch decking with
new composite decking and LHA believes it makes financial sense to include this as part of the
original project scope.
Project Goals and Objectives:
• Replace existing porch decking with new composite decking; and
• Allow for all aspects of the Greeley Village Rear Door and Porch Preservation project to
be completed together.
Project Benefit:
Providing safe, sanitary and affordable housing is imperative to satisfying the needs of low and
moderate income families in the community. Currently, the wait time for a unit at Greeley
Village is three years or more. Ensuring that these units are kept online through proper
preservation procedures is critical to serving a needy population.
Funding Request:
The replacement of the porch decking costs $80,000. LHA will leverage $23,288 from their
Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) funding allocation, reducing the
FY18 CPA request to $56,712.
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ARTICLE 10 (d)
Project: Affordable Units Preservation-Judges Road/Pine
Grove
CPA Category: Community Housing
Amount Requested: $1,048,000
Amount Recommended: $1,048,000
CPC Vote: (6-0)
Project Description:
Pine Grove Village, an older affordable housing development on Judges Road, is currently
structured as a 40B co-op and consists of five low-income rental units and 11 units restricted to
purchase by low/moderate income households. The development received its Comprehensive
Permit through the Housing Appeals Committee in 1976 and was financed through the
MassHousing 13A program. Both the financing and deed restrictions for the 11 units are set to
expire in 2019. The units are also in need of major capital improvements but the co-op
association lacks the funding necessary to complete such repairs.
Prompted by the need for funding and the impending termination of the restrictions and
financing, the co-op submitted a proposal to the Town in May 2016 which would allow the
Town to purchase the expiring deed restrictions on those 11 units, acquire the five rental units (to
be subsequently conveyed to the Lexington Housing Authority (LHA)) and provide renovation
funds for the five acquired units. The proposal would also restructure the development from a
co-op into a condominium.
The proposal ensures that all 16 units will remain on the Town's Subsidized Housing Inventory
(SHI). However, the terms of the proposal will negatively impact the current co-op owners
because they place new resale price restrictions on each of the 11 units. A portion of the
requested CPA funds is intended to compensate the current owners for such loss in value upon
the individual sale of each unit. Funds will be held in escrow for this purpose and paid at the
time of sale.
Additional portions of the appropriation will be provided to LHA for the acquisition of the five
current rental units and for interior renovations to those units. In return, the Town will receive
an affordable housing deed restriction on these units. To the extent permitted by law, LHA will
give preference to Lexington residents when renting the units. The deed restrictions for all 16
units will conform to the requirements under the CPA statute and will require approval from the
Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
Project Goals and Objectives:
• Preserve 16 units of affordable housing on the Town's SHI; and
• Enable LHA to acquire five new rental properties and give preference to Lexington
residents when renting the units.
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Project Benefit:
This project will allow all 16 units to remain on the Town's SHI and also provide LHA with five
additional rental properties. Funds will also allow for much-needed capital repairs on the five
units acquired by LHA.
Funding Request:
Total estimates for the project exceed $1.75 million of which $1,048,000 is requested in CPA
funds. This includes the payments to existing co-op owners for new affordable housing
restrictions based on appraisals of the current market value of the units with and without the
restrictions ($703,687), the purchase of five rental units ($4,875) and their renovations
($323,438) and an estimated $16,000 in legal costs incurred by the Town. The remaining funds,
approximately $700,000, will come from a loan from MassHousing and the Pine Grove Village
co-op.
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ARTICLE 10 (e)
Project: Willard's Woods and Wright Farm Meadow
Preservation
CPA Category: Open Space
Amount Requested: $40,480
Amount Recommended: $40,480
CPC Vote: (9-0)
Project Description:
Of the approximately 1,400 acres of conservation land owned and managed by the Conservation
Commission, approximately 65 acres are upland meadows that require extensive annual
management measures to remain in an open and natural condition. Meadow edges are
particularly difficult to manage due to the challenge of mowing close to fences, stone walls and
tree lines. Many of Lexington's meadows have received minimal maintenance since they were
acquired, resulting in the loss of historic stone walls and vistas and the invasion by shrubs and
trees into the meadow habitat.
The 2015 Annual Town Meeting authorized $26,400 for restoration and preservation of the land
at both Hennessey Field and Joyce Miller's Meadow. This proposed FY18 project furthers the
goals of the multi-year Conservation Meadow Preservation Program by requesting $40,480 in
CPA funds for the restoration,preservation and protection of approximately 20 acres of
conservation meadow at Willard's Woods and Wright Farm.
Project Goals and Objectives:
• Reclaim meadow land that has been overgrown by shrubs, trees and vines;
• Restore and preserve views of scenic walls which serve as historic resources for
Lexington's agricultural past;
• Manage invasive species encroachment on field edges and throughout meadows; and
• Provide an improved annual mowing and maintenance regime that promotes native
vegetation, enhanced wildlife habitat and safe recreational opportunities.
Project Benefit:
This project will prevent the loss of historic landscapes, scenic vistas, recreational opportunities
and native vegetation and wildlife habitats while enhancing community engagement through
volunteer opportunities. Funding for this FY18 request would also enhance and protect the
Town's investment in the Wright Farm property which was previously acquired with CPA funds.
Funding Request:
$40,480 is requested for this project.
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ARTICLE 10 (1)
Project: Cotton Farm Conservation Area Improvements
CPA Category: Open Space
Amount Requested: $301,300
Amount Recommended: $301,300
CPC Vote: (9-0)
Project Description:
The 2010 Annual Town Meeting authorized the purchase of a portion of the Cotton Farm, a 10.2
acre parcel located on the north side of Marrett Road. $3,857,000 was approved and allowed the
Town to acquire 4.2 acres of this land. The property was acquired for its passive recreation
value, its pastoral views along Marrett Road and the link it provides between two larger
conservation areas: Upper Vine Brook and Dunback Meadow. Additional CPA funds were
subsequently approved to prepare a long-term land management and design plan for the property
which included both short and long-term goals.
The Conservation Commission and Lexington Conservation Stewards have made great progress
addressing the needs identified by the land management plan. This FY18 request seeks design
and construction funds to address several long-term goals including removal and naturalization
of a major portion of the existing driveway and parking area, relocation and construction of a
new expanded parking area and installation of an ADA accessible trail and pond viewing
platform along the edge of the pond and wetlands on the property.
Project Goals and Objectives:
• Remove a portion of the driveway to significantly increase the amount of land on the
property considered to be in an open and natural condition while improving visitor safety
through the reduction of vehicle access across the property;
• Relocate and construct an expanded parking area to improve public access and increase
safety; and
• Install an ADA accessible trail and viewing platform to allow all visitors the opportunity
to safely experience the pond and wildlife.
Project Benefit:
The improvements proposed as part of this project will enhance the area's safety and
accessibility while creating a more welcoming atmosphere.
Funding Request:
$301,300 is requested to fund these improvements. Annual maintenance activities will be
covered by the operating budget and Conservation Staff and Steward volunteers.
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ARTICLE 10 (g)
Project: Wright Farm Supplemental Funds
CPA Category: Open Space
Amount Requested: $37,900
Amount Recommended: $37,900
CPC Vote: (9-0)
Project Description:
The 2012 and 2015 Annual Town Meetings authorized the purchase of the 13.6 acre Wright
Farm property, including the existing farmhouse and barn. LexHAB subsequently determined
that the farmhouse was suitable for affordable housing purposes and the acquisition also allowed
the Conservation Commission to incorporate the barn, driveway and parking area into the
existing conservation parcel and adjacent open spaces.
Following the purchase, an environmental site assessment revealed high concentrations of lead in
the soil near the barn, likely from agricultural pesticide preparation. This resulted in higher
remediation costs than originally anticipated. FY18 funds will supplement the legal work, site
assessment work and land management originally associated with the 2015 purchase of the
second parcel. This supplemental appropriation will also assist with the preparation and filing of
the affordable housing deed restriction and fund the monitoring of the restriction by the grantee.
The Wright Farm Barn Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study (previously authorized under
Article 8(g) by the 2016 Annual Town Meeting)is now proceeding, as the site assessment is
nearing completion.
Project Goals and Objectives:
• Provide supplemental funds to complete the site assessment originally funded under
Article 9 of the 2015 Annual Town Meeting.
Project Benefit:
The supplemental funds will allow for the completion of the work previously approved under
Article 9.
Funding Request:
The FY18 request is for $37,900 to supplement $618,000 previously appropriated by the 2015
Annual Town Meeting under Article 9.
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ARTICLE 10 (h)
Project: Stone Building Feasibility Study
CPA Category: Historic Resources
Amount Requested: $25,000
Amount Recommended: $25,000
CPC Vote: (7-1-1)
Project Description:
Since FY08, over $400,000 in CPA funds have been appropriated for projects associated with the
Stone Building, including a feasibility study in FY08, an historic structures report in FY10, and
exterior stabilization in FY11. The historic structures report completed by Menders, Torrey and
Spencer in FY10 not only prepared recommendations for the subsequent exterior stabilization
but also provided recommendations for preservation for reuse.
Prior to advancing further preservation as described in the report, this FY18 project seeks to
ascertain market interest among local and regional arts and cultural groups in utilizing the first
floor exhibit space. $25,000 will be used to contract with an exhibit curator to research such
groups and to gauge interest in using the space for rotating exhibitions open to the public in a
manner consistent with the prior reports. The deliverable will be a market assessment report
which identifies groups and entities interested in using the space in the manner described above
while having mutually-exclusive use of the upper floor as a lyceum for community use. The
report will also identify general security requirements, climate control needs and other physical
conditions necessary to secure and protect the art and artifacts while on display.
One member opposed the project because he/she opined that this request was too similar in
nature to previous studies completed on the facility and the end result would not produce any
new information.
Project Goals and Objectives:
• Provide a market assessment report which will identify user groups interested in using the
first floor space for rotating exhibitions and identify general security requirements,
climate control needs and other physical conditions necessary to ensure protection of
material while on display.
Project Benefit:
The Stone Building is an historic and architectural treasure in the Town but has sat vacant since
August 2007. The re-use of this preserved building in the intended manner will contribute to
Lexington's role as a tourist destination and provide an additional regional draw for the visitor
economy.
Funding Request:
This project requests $25,000 in FY18 CPA funds.
17
ARTICLE 10 (i)
Project: Munroe School Window Restoration
CPA Category: Historic Resources
Amount Requested: $620,000
Amount Recommended: $620,000
CPC Vote: (9-0)
Project Description:
The 2016 Annual Town Meeting authorized $30,000 for the purpose of producing
recommendations and cost estimates for the replacement or functional restoration of all windows
at the former Munroe School Building. This FY18 request seeks funds to restore the current
windows, based on the recommendations of the study. Restoration of the existing windows was
shown to be less expensive than installing replacement windows.
The 117 windows in the facility are believed to be original to the 110 year-old Town-owned
building (rented and maintained by the Munroe Center for the Arts) or at least to the time of its
1915 addition. The windows are in poor condition and air infiltration makes the building
uncomfortable in the colder months and significantly decreases the building's energy efficiency.
The large windows are also difficult to operate and pose safety risks.
The window restoration will be overseen by the Department of Public Facilities. The Munroe
Center for the Art's agreement with the Town does not assign responsibility for capital projects.
Nevertheless, the Center has paid for past projects and now requests CPA funds for the windows
because this project exceeds its financial capabilities.
Project Goals and Objectives:
• Restore all existing windows at the Munroe School in order to prevent heat loss, improve
safety and functionality and preserve the architectural integrity and historical significance
of the building.
Project Benefit:
The Munroe Center for the Arts is an historic building located near Lexington Center and a
major cultural resource for town residents. Approximately 1,180 people, mostly children and
youth, subscribe to its programs on an annual basis. This project will ensure restoration of an
historic town asset and improve the safety, comfort, environmental efficiency and aesthetic
appeal of the facility for continued optimal use by tenants and the public. Potential
demonstration workshops conducted during the restoration will educate Lexington homeowners
about the feasibility and importance of restoring their own historic windows.
Funding Request:
$620,000 is requested to fund the window restoration.
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ARTICLE 10 (j)
Project: Center Streetscape Improvements
Indefinitely Postponed
19
ARTICLE 10 (k)
Project: Community Center Sidewalk
Indefinitely Postponed
20
ARTICLE 10 (1)
Project: Park Improvements-Athletic Fields
CPA Category: Recreational Resources
Amount Requested: $125,000
Amount Recommended: $125,000
CPC Vote: (9-0)
Project Description:
This is an ongoing, multi-year capital program designed to preserve and rehabilitate Town
athletic fields, address safety and playability concerns and provide safe, adequate field conditions
for neighborhood families, recreation groups and school programs. This FY18 request seeks to
fund improvements to the current irrigation systems. The Town has met with a consulting
company in order to conduct an irrigation audit and seeks to make changes to the current systems
for more efficient water usage and repairs. The updated irrigation system would be a web-based
system focused on efficiency and water conservation and allow irrigation to be more targeted on
the playing areas.
This funding request would cover the cost of implementing the technology at 14 athletic fields.
Implementation would include the purchase and installation of valves,plumbing, controllers and
all installation costs at each site.
Project Goals and Objectives:
• Implement a web-based irrigation system at 14 athletic fields; and
• Increase efficiency while decreasing water consumption.
Project Benefit:
Updates to the existing systems will allow irrigation to be targeted on the playing areas and result
in less water usage. Timely renovations and replacement are critical to providing safe and
playable fields for all user groups.
Funding Request:
The FY18 CPA request is $125,000.
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ARTICLE 10 (m)
Project: Town Pool Renovation
CPA Category: Recreational Resources
Amount Requested: $1,620,000
Amount Recommended: $1,620,000
CPC Vote: (9-0)
Project Description:
The Irving H. Mabee Pool Complex is a heavily used recreation facility during the summer with
an average of 75,000 people utilizing the complex each year. While the facility continues to
operate safely, a phased renovation approach was identified in an engineering consultant's study
completed in FY2008 by Bargmann Hendrie and Archetype. The consultant's report provided
the Town with a detailed list of recommended upgrades and repairs, as needed, allowing the
Town to plan and budget for the improvements effectively and responsibly.
$25,000 was approved for Phase I by the 2010 Annual Town Meeting and included replacement
of the hot water heater, ventilation and exhaust systems and completion of top priority projects to
address compliance and safety concerns. $165,000 was approved by the 2011 Annual Town
Meeting for Phase II and covered interior repairs and environmental and energy efficiency
enhancements, including the replacements of toilets, showers and sinks with water conserving
systems in the men's and women's locker rooms. Phases I and II are complete. Both phases
were funded through the Recreation Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings since CPA funding was
not then available for this type of recreation project.
Due to the scope and complexity of the phased renovation project, it was determined that Phase
III should be divided into two parts in order to obtain a more accurate cost estimate for the
project. $166,000 in CPA funds were approved by the 2016 Annual Town Meeting for partial
Phase III funding. These funds provided construction/bid documents and design and engineering
costs which included a mini-audit of the facility. The mini-audit provided the Town with an
updated cost estimate for the construction phase of the renovation project. The FY18 request
seeks $1,620,000 for the remainder of Phase III which includes the replacement of the filtration
systems, which were installed in 1980 and have far exceeded their life expectancy of 15 years,
and the following recommended upgrades:
• Reconfiguration of the wading pool and installation of new water spray features
• Replacement of the existing roof
• Re-plastering of the wading, main and dive pools
• Replacement of the three diving boards
• Reconfiguration of the three one-meter diving board rails
• Installation of new lifeguard chairs
• Replacement of the fencing with new black vinyl-coated chain link fencing and gates
• Resetting of the copings for the wading pool
• Installation of a new shade structure
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Project Goals and Objectives:
• Replace existing filtration systems which are beyond their life expectancy;
• Enlarge the building which houses the filtration system in order to accommodate the new
systems; and
• Implement the above-mentioned upgrades in order to ensure the successful operation of
the Town Pool complex.
Project Benefit:
The Town Pool Renovation project will ensure the complex's continued successful operation by
addressing priority needs and reducing impacts to the operating budget due to continued repairs.
This FY18 CPA request will fund the implementation of a new filtration system and additional
upgrades to the facility.
Funding Request:
The FY18 CPA request is $1,620,000.
23
ARTICLE 10 (n)
Project: Park and Playground Improvements
CPA Category: Recreational Resources
Amount Requested: $60,000
Amount Recommended: $60,000
CPC Vote: (9-0)
Project Description:
This FY18 requests seeks funding to replace and update the swing sets at Bow Street Park,
Franklin Park and Munroe Park. Funding would also be used to install bike racks at all three
locations. Swing sets were last replaced at Franklin and Munroe Parks in 1989 and last replaced
at Bow Street Park in 1986. The existing structures do not comply with current compliance
standards and pose a safety risk to users.
Project Goals and Objectives:
• Replace outdated swing structures at three locations in order to improve safety and
comply with safety and accessibility standards; and
• Install bike racks at the three locations.
Project Benefit:
The installation of new structures at these locations will help reduce frequent repairs, inspections
and equipment removal due to deteriorating equipment. Safety and accessibility will also be
improved through the implementation of the proposed upgrades.
Funding Request:
The FY18 CPA request is $60,000.
24
ARTICLE 10 (o)
Project: Debt Service
CPA Category: Open Space, Historic
Amount Requested: $2,390,998
Amount Recommended: $2,390,998
CPC Vote: (6-0)
FY18 debt service obligations are shown as an aggregate. They consist of four components
totaling$2,390,998 and are described below:
1)Wright Farm: $395,300
Under Article 9 of the 2012 Annual Town Meeting, voters approved the $3,072,000 acquisition
of a substantial portion of the Wright Farm property. Of this appropriation, the Town was
authorized to borrow $2,950,000. In February 2013, the Town sold a$2.95 million bond
anticipation note (BAN) that came due in February 2014. The interest payment on the BAN was
$36,875. The BAN was refinanced in February 2014 through the issuance of a $2.95 million
bond for a ten year term. The first debt service payments of principal and interest on the bond
were made in FY15. Debt service on the bond for FY18 is $395,300, representing $295,000 of
principal and $100,300 of interest.
2) Community Center Acquisition: $991,100
At the Special Town Meeting in March 2013, voters approved an appropriation of$10,950,000
to fund the acquisition of a portion of the Scottish Rite Property at 39 Marrett Road, to become
the Lexington Community Center. The CPA portion of this purchase was $7,390,000. In
November 2013 the Town sold a$7.39 million bond anticipation note that came due in February
2014. The interest payment on the BAN was $9,237. In February 2014 a $7.39 million bond
was issued for a ten year term to retire the BAN. The first debt service payments of principal
and interest on the bond were made in FY15. Debt service on the bond for FY18 is $991,100 of
which $740,000 represents principal and $251,100 represents interest.
3) Cary Memorial Building Upgrade: $966,120 ($869,800 + $96,320)
Under Article 2 of the Special Town Meeting in March 2014, Town Meeting voters approved an
appropriation of$8,677,400 to fund the costs of renovations to the Cary Memorial Building. Of
this amount, $8,241,350 was requested in CPA funding to be financed through the issuance of
debt. A bond anticipation note in the amount of$3,286,000 was issued in June 2014; the note
came due in February 2015 at which time a bond of$6,569,000 was issued, comprised of two
components: the conversion of$2,286,000 of the June 2014 note to long-term debt and new
financing of the project in the amount of$4,283,000. In February 2015, the residual portion of
the June 2014 note, $1,000,000 was refinanced as a note with a term of four months at which
time it was proposed that it be retired with cash from the CPA fund. An appropriation of
$1,000,000 for this purpose,plus $960 for the interest due on that note was approved under
Article 30 of the 2015 Annual Town Meeting. The first debt service payments of principal and
interest on the $6,569,000 bond were made in FY16. FY18 debt service is $869,800 of which
$660,000 represents principal and $209,800 represents interest.
25
It is projected that the final piece of the financing for the project will be issued as a note in an
amount not to exceed $96,000 (the remaining unissued portion of the original debt authorization)
in June 2017, coming due in July 2017 at which time it is proposed that the note be retired from
funds on-hand. The projected FY18 debt service payment for the BAN will be $96,320,
representing $96,000 of principal and $320 of interest.
4) Community Center Renovations: $38,478
At the November 2013 Special Town Meeting, voters approved $3,169,000 in initial renovation
costs to prepare the former Scottish Rite building for use as a Community Center and to enable
Town Departments to move into the building. Subsequent to that time, the recommendations of
the Selectmen-appointed Ad hoc Community Center Advisory Committee resulted in an
accelerated construction schedule and modifications to the scope of renovations at the
Community Center. The revised total cost of the project was $6,720,000 of which $6,297,184
was CPA eligible. The bulk of this cost was financed from cash on hand under Article 3 of the
March 24, 2014 and Article 10 of the June 16, 2014 Special Town Meetings. Of the revised
amount, the Town was authorized to borrow $451,000. $315,000 was issued as a bond
anticipation note in February 2016 which came due in July 2016. An FY17 debt service
payment in the amount of$317,432 was authorized to pay for the retirement of the note plus
accrued interest.
It is projected that the final piece of financing for the project will be issued as a note in an
amount not to exceed $38,350 (the remaining unissued portion of the original debt authorization)
in June 2017, coming due in July 2017 at which time it is proposed that the note will be retired
from funds on-hand. The projected FY18 debt service payment for the BAN will be $38,478,
representing $38,350 of principal and $128 of interest.
26
ARTICLE 10 (p)
Project: Administrative Budget
CPA Category: Administrative
Amount Requested: $150,000
Amount Recommended: $150,000
CPC Vote: (9-0)
Project Description:
The Community Preservation Act permits up to 5% of annual CPA funds to be spent on the
operating and administrative costs of the Community Preservation Committee. The Committee
is allowed to use this money to pay for staff salaries, mailings,public notices, overhead, legal
fees, membership dues and other miscellaneous expenses related to CPA projects. Five percent
of anticipated FY18 revenue from the surcharge and the state supplemental match is $272,109;
however the CPC only requests $150,000. This money will be used to fund the Committee's
part-time administrative assistant, member dues to the non-profit Community Preservation
Coalition, administrative expenses, legal and miscellaneous expenses and land planning,
appraisals and legal fees for open space proposed to be acquired using CPA funds.
The CPC's administrative assistant tracks and monitors all Town Meeting-approved CPA
projects, monitors draw-downs and financial transactions in conjunction with the Finance
Department, drafts and reviews grant agreements, drafts and updates CPA reports and
correspondence, completes state-mandated reporting, oversees the annual CPA project
application process,posts meetings and schedules public hearings, takes minutes of all CPC
public meetings and hearings, works with numerous departments, communicates with project
applicants, updates and maintains the Committee's webpage and assists the CPC and others as
needed with CPA related activities and agreements. The three-day a week, FY17 cost for the
administrative position totals $36,518, including health and dental benefits carried by the Town.
Membership dues of$7,900 (unchanged since FY15) are paid to the Community Preservation
Coalition (www.communitypreservation.org). A non-profit statewide organization, it responds
to legal and technical questions,provides CPA news and information to participating
communities and engages in legislative advocacy and lobbying. The Community Preservation
Coalition continues to be a strong advocate for a long-term funding solution for the CPA Trust
Fund, especially after the addition of 11 new CPA communities in 2016.
The CPC designates $50,000 of its administrative budget for the planning, conceptual plan
development, legal, survey and appraisal work associated with the proposed acquisition of open
space. Such funds enable the Board of Selectmen or Conservation Department to complete, in a
timely manner, the due diligence required to prepare for a potential CPA land acquisition.
While total expenditures from the administrative budget can vary from year to year, the
Committee continues to endorse $150,000 as a conservative budget amount for the adequate
coverage of all anticipated costs. Funds appropriated for administrative expenses but not spent
in a given fiscal year revert to the CPA Undesignated Fund Balance at year's end.
Funding Request: The FY18 request for the CPA administrative budget is $150,000.
27
Status Report on FY 2017 CPA Projects
Munroe Center for the Arts Window Study(Art. 8 (b))
$30,000 was appropriated by the 2016 Annual Town Meeting to fund an engineering study
(overseen by the Department of Public Facilities) that recommended the replacement or
functional restoration of all windows at the Munroe Center for the Arts. The existing
windows are believed to be original to the 110 year-old building and are in poor condition.
The study was completed in 2016 and recommended the functional restoration of the
windows. The 2017 Annual Town Meeting will consider a funding request for the window
restoration under Article 10 (i).
Lexington Arts & Crafts Society Parsons Gallery Lighting Renovation (Art. 8 (c))
The Lexington Arts and Crafts Society (LACS)requested $24,280 in FY17 CPA funds for
the renovation of the lighting system in its Parsons Gallery space. Funds were used to
replace the existing light system with an LED system designed to provide optimal light in
an art gallery. LACS utilized the CPA allocation in conjunction with $12,000 of privately-
raised funds. The new lighting system was implemented in 2016 and this project is
considered complete.
Keeler Farm Community Housing Acquisition (Art. 8 (e))
The 2016 Annual Town Meeting appropriated $185,000 in CPA funds to enable LexHAB
to purchase one unit of affordable housing in the Keeler Farm housing development. The
single-family residence consists of two bedrooms, one bathroom and is approximately
1,024 square feet. LexHAB expects to receive Home Investment Partnership (HOME)
funds to off-set the total purchase price. The Community Preservation Fund (CPF)will be
reimbursed with the total HOME fund grant, once received. LexHAB and the developer
have signed a purchase and sale agreement and hope to close on the property by May 2017.
Greeley Village Rear Door and Porch Preservation (Art. 8 (f))
The Lexington Housing Authority (LHA)requested $263,250 in FY17 CPA funds to help
finance a portion of the preservation of all rear exit doors and porches at Greeley Village.
The failing doors and porches were identified by LHA as priority needs and CPA funds are
being used in conjunction with LHA's allocation from the Department of Housing and
Community Development(DHCD). To-date, LHA has received 100% construction
documents from the architect and the project went out to bid in January 2017. Construction
is anticipated to begin in April 2017.
LHA submitted a subsequent FY18 request for an additional $56,712 in CPA funds for this
project (Article 10 (c)). If approved, this amount will fund the replacement of the porch
decking, which was not included in the original scope of work. While LHA hopes to
28
obtain the additional CPA funding in the FY18 funding cycle, the entire project is not
contingent on the supplemental request and LHA plans to move ahead with the
construction schedule outlined above regardless of the outcome at the 2017 Town Meeting.
Wright Farm Barn Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study(Art. 8 (g))
$35,000 was appropriated by the 2016 Annual Town Meeting to fund a feasibility study for
the barn located on the Wright Farm property. The feasibility study will consist of a
structural stability analysis, educational programming needs assessment and architectural
design assessment. Due to issues regarding remediation of the site surrounding the barn,
this project has remained on hold but is now set to proceed as an environmental site
assessment is nearing completion.
Antony Park Construction Funds (Art. 8 (h))
CPA funds were appropriated by the 2016 Annual Town Meeting for construction of a park
within Tower Park, commemorating Lexington's sister city, Antony, France. $60,000 in
CPA funds were approved to supplement existing private donations received by the
Tourism Committee to complete the project. The proposed design will rehabilitate a
section of Tower Park to include a space reflective of French gardens and species and will
include a sitting wall,pathways, landscaping and a memorial linking the two cities. A
purchase order is in place and the project is scheduled to begin in late spring 2017.
Minuteman Bikeway Wayfinding Signs Implementation (Art. 8 (i))
$120,000 was appropriated by the 2016 Annual Town Meeting for the purchase and
installation of approximately 220 signs containing information on proper etiquette, bikeway
access, nearby attractions and regulatory signage. This FY17 appropriation remains
unspent,pending completion of the final design which was funded by an FY15
appropriation. Once the final design is complete, FY17 funds will be used to fund the
procurement of a contractor to fabricate and install the signage. Upon completion of the
wayfinding signs design, funds will also be used to hire a designer to develop interpretive
signs and kiosks.
Town Pool Design and Engineering Costs (Art. 8 (j))
This FY17 request provided partial funding for Phase III of the Town Pool Renovation
project. $166,000 was approved to fund the design and engineering costs for replacement
of the existing filtration system and additional work required to ensure the successful
operation of the pool complex. The design and engineering work began in October 2016
and remains ongoing. The construction phase of the project (for which $1,620,000 is being
requested under Article 10 (m) at the 2017 Annual Town Meeting)is scheduled to go out to
bid in February/March 2017. Pending a favorable decision by Town Meeting, construction
is expected to begin in September 2017.
29
Park Improvements-Hard Court Resurfacing (Art. 8 (k))
This FY17 request will fund the rehabilitation of the basketball courts at Rindge Park and
Kinneens Park, last resurfaced in 2004. The project includes the full reconstruction of the
courts due to extensive cracks and frost heaves and the installation of new backboards and
poles. Funding will also be used to purchase and permanently install a bike rack at each
site. The project is in progress and work is expected to be completed in the spring/summer
of 2017.
Granite Forest Pocket Park Construction at Lincoln Park(Art. 8 (1))
$30,000 was approved by the 2016 Annual Town Meeting for construction of a pocket park
within Lincoln Park, creating a greenway corridor that will connect the lower park to the
upper park. Design plans call for the installation of granite benches and fixtures. This is a
public/private partnership between the Town and the Lincoln Park Sub-Committee. The
anticipated completion date for the project is summer 2017.
Park Improvements-Athletic Fields (Art. 8 (m))
This FY17 request will fund renovations to the Adams Park multipurpose athletic field
located behind the Waldorf School. The athletic field is used by Lexington youth
organizations on weekends and evenings and by the Waldorf School during the day.
Renovations will include laser-grading the athletic field, grading for proper drainage and
adding permanent park benches. The project will go out to bid in February 2017 and
construction is set to commence in the spring/summer of 2017.
Park and Playground Improvements (Art. 8 (n))
This project involves replacing the safety fencing at the Center Recreation Complex and
the Muzzey multipurpose athletic field. Frost heaves have caused the fence posts to uproot,
resulting in fencing that has fallen over. Improvements include the removal, disposal and
installation of new chain link fence at both locations and the replacement of a four-foot
fence with an eight-foot fence at the Center Recreation Complex. A contract was awarded
in December 2016 and the project is scheduled to commence in the winter/spring of 2017.
Grain Mill Alley Design Implementation (Art. 8 (o))
The FY17 appropriation for the Grain Mill Alley project funded the development of an
alternative transportation node for the Town-owned space adjacent to the Minuteman Bikeway.
The project will include the installation of bike racks, fixed seating, a bike repair station,
plantings and a raised pedestrian crossing to improve safety. To-date, FY17 funds remain
unspent due to the DPW's recommendation to wait until the Board of Selectmen have decided on
the ground surface material for the Center Streetscape Project, in the event the decision conflicts
with the approved plan.
30
Amend FY2017 Operating, Enterprise Fund and Community Preservation Budgets
(Art. 6, 2016 Special Town Meeting #5)
An additional $40,000 was approved by the 2016 Special Town Meeting#5 to supplement
the existing debt service appropriation approved by the 2016 Annual Town Meeting. In
June, 2016, a bond anticipation note (BAN)was issued for the final stages of renovations to
the Community Center. Available CPA funds were identified that enabled the retirement
of the $40,000 note instead of converting it to a bond in February 2017, resulting in the
avoidance of issuance costs for the bond and long-term interest costs.
FY 2017 Projects Indefinitely Postponed, 2016 ATM
1. Art. 8 (a) Munroe Tavern Archaeological Dig
2. Art. 8 (d)Visitors Center Renovation
31
Status Report on FY 2016 CPA Projects
Conservation Meadow Preservation Program (Art. 8 (a))
The 2015 Annual Town Meeting approved $26,400 in CPA funds for the first phase of a
multi-phase meadow preservation project. Approximately 65 acres of Lexington's
conservation land are upland meadows that require extensive annual management measures
to maintain their open and natural condition. This FY16 appropriation funded the
preservation of Hennessey Field and Joyce Miller's Meadow. The Hennessey Field
preservation is complete. The first phase of preservation work at Joyce Miller's Meadow
was completed during the spring and summer of 2016 and the final phase of work is
expected to be completed during the spring and summer of 2017.
Cary Memorial Building Records Center Shelving (Art. 8 (d))
The 2015 Annual Town Meeting appropriated $75,398 in CPA funds to install shelving units in
the Cary Record Center. The new shelving units will provide standard size archival and record
storage shelving as well as improved access to records. The installation of the new storage
system in the Records Room is complete. The room is now well equipped to hold the Town's
records for permanent and temporary retention.
Battle Green Streetscape Improvements (Art. 8 (e))
The 2015 Annual Town Meeting approved $140,000 in CPA funds for the next phase of an
ongoing program to improve the Battle Green Streetscape. The 2014 Annual Town Meeting
approved $63,000 in CPA funds to hire an architect/engineering firm to take concept plans to the
25% design stage and develop cost estimates for the recommended improvements. That phase of
the project is still ongoing and this FY16 appropriation remains unspent as the project is
currently on hold.
Community Center Sidewalk Design (Art. 8 (0)
$50,000 was approved by the 2015 Annual Town Meeting for additional design funds for
the Community Center Sidewalk project. Two sidewalk concepts were previously
developed by the Town with CPA funds appropriated by the November 2013 Special Town
Meeting but neither design was approved by the proprietors of the adjacent Scottish Rite
property. The FY16 request provided funds for an outside firm to develop appropriate
design alternatives. The Town continues to work with the proprietors of the Scottish Rite
land regarding the location and design of the sidewalk. A conceptual plan has been
presented to the Board of Selectmen and the 2017 Annual Town Meeting will consider a
request for sidewalk construction funding under Article 10 (k).
32
Community Center Preservation Restriction Endowment(Art. 8 (h))
The Community Center at 39 Marrett Road was purchased by the Town of Lexington from
the Scottish Rite in December, 2013 using CPA funds. The Community Preservation Act
requires that any property purchased using CPA historic resource funding be subject to a
preservation restriction, deeded in perpetuity and approved by the Massachusetts Historical
Commission. The Lexington Historical Society has agreed to hold the Historic Preservation
Restriction (HPR) on the Community Center property and has requested that an
endowment account of$25,000 be established to cover its expenses under the Historic
Preservation Restriction. (The HPR must be held by an entity other than the Town). The
Town and Historical Society drafted a restriction acceptable to both parties and sent it to
the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC)in December 2015 for review. MHC
requested a number of changes (which have been made) and forwarded them for review
and approval. Once finalized, the HPR will be recorded at the Registry of Deeds and the
Town will reimburse the Historical Society, from this Endowment Account, for its costs to
monitor and enforce the HPR.
Park and Playground Improvements (Art. 8 (i))
The 2015 Annual Town Meeting approved $68,000 to preserve the recreational resources at
Marvin Park by replacing the playground equipment and playground surface. The
improvements will include the installation of a new modular play structure, a new swing set
and an appropriate safety surface. New site amenities such as signage and permanently
anchored park benches are planned. The new playground was installed in December 2016.
The project is in progress and work is expected to be completed in spring/summer 2017.
Park Improvements-Athletic Fields (Art. 8 (j))
$85,000 was approved by the 2015 Annual Town Meeting for renovations to the natural
grass softball field at Lincoln Park. This project is part of an ongoing, multi-year capital
program to preserve and rehabilitate Town athletic fields. Plans call for the softball field to
be laser-graded for improved drainage, a new irrigation system installed and the installation
of a new backstop,player benches and amenities at the site. The project is in progress and
work is expected to be completed in spring/summer 2017.
Park and Playgrounds ADA Accessibility Study(Art. 8 (k))
This project requested $78,000 in funding to hire a consultant to complete a study of the Town's
recreation areas to determine areas of deficiencies. The Lexington Recreation Facilities and
ADA Compliance Study will develop recommendations and cost estimates for appropriate
remediation. A draft of the ADA Accessibility Study has been received and Town staff are
currently reviewing the study.
33
Lincoln Park Field Improvements-Phase 3 (Art. 8 (m))
$220,000 in CPA funds were approved by the 2015 Annual Town Meeting to partially fund
Phase III of a three-phase capital improvement program to preserve and rehabilitate the
recreational resources at Lincoln Park. The FY16 CPA amount was used along with $430,000
from other funding sources for the purchase and installation of a new synthetic playing surface at
Lincoln Park. This project also included rehabilitation of the walkways around the field,
replacement of the edging and the addition of a guardrail near the restroom facility to prevent
vehicles from driving on the synthetic turf. The project is nearing completion and the contractor
is working on punch list items.
Minuteman Bikeway Culvert Rehabilitation (Art. 8 (n))
$290,000 in CPA funds were approved by the 2015 Annual Town Meeting to fund the
replacement of the Minuteman Bikeway culvert located just north of Camellia Place near the
headwaters of the North Lexington Brook. The new culvert has been installed and final
inspections will be completed in spring 2017.
Grain Mill Alley Design Funds (Art. 8 (o))
$18,000 was approved by the 2015 Annual Town Meeting for continuing design for
improvements to Grain Mill Alley. $21,500 was initially approved by the 2013 Annual Town
Meeting for the design project but it was determined that this additional appropriation was
needed to continue the process of designing a safe, welcoming, aesthetically appropriate and
cost-effective public space. $127,838 was requested in FY17 to fund Phase I of the project
which focuses solely on the development of the space adjacent to the Minuteman Bikeway. A
balance of$5,000 from the FY16 appropriation remains unspent and will be used to supplement
the FY17 appropriation. To-date, funds remain unspent pending a decision by the Board of
Selectmen regarding ground surface material for the Center Streetscape Project in the event it
poses a conflict with the approved plan.
Minuteman Bikeway Wayfinding Signs (Art. 8 (p))
$39,000 was approved by the 2015 Annual Town Meeting to fund the design of wayfinding and
etiquette signage relating to the Minuteman Bikeway in Lexington. This was considered the next
necessary step following a report entitled Navigating the Minuteman Bikeway which was
completed with the cooperation of the Bicycle Advisory Committee and representatives from
Arlington and Bedford. The consultant hired to perform the work is completing the final design
which includes the location and number of wayfinding and regulatory signage to be placed along
the bikeway. Design plans are expected to be complete by the end of February 2017. The 2016
Annual Town Meeting approved a subsequent request for FY17 CPA funds for the construction
and implementation of the proposed signage.
34
Lower Vine Brook Paved Recreation Path Reconstruction (Art. 8 (q))
The 2015 Annual Town Meeting approved $369,813 in CPA funds to repair and replace the
paved recreation path that runs along Lower Vine Brook. The project proposed full
reconstruction of the 4,600-foot path due to surface degradation over the years. The
reconstruction of the trail was completed during the summer and fall of 2016. Final completion
work, including grading and stabilization activities are expected to be completed during the
spring of 2017.
Property Purchase-241 Grove Street(Art. 9)
At the 2012 Annual Town Meeting, voters approved the purchase of a significant portion of the
Wright Farm, a 13.6 acre parcel of land located on Grove Street. The 2015 Annual Town
Meeting approved the purchase of the remaining parcel (approximately one acre)with $618,000
in CPA funds which included an existing farmhouse and barn. LexHAB subsequently
determined that the farmhouse was suitable for affordable housing purposes and requested
$200,000 in CPA funds under Article 5 at the November 2015 Special Town Meeting#2 for
renovations to the farmhouse (see below-Property Improvements-241 Grove Street, Art. 5). The
acquisition of the remaining property allows the Conservation Commission to incorporate the
barn, driveway and parking area into the existing conservation parcel and adjacent open spaces.
The Town closed on the property on February 11, 2016 and Town staff is working on the
division of the property into two parcels (for Conservation and Community Housing purposes).
The clean-up of pesticides in the soil surrounding the barn was recently completed and is
awaiting final regulatory approval by the Department of Environmental Protection.
Property Improvements-241 Grove Street(Art. 5/Nov 2015 STM)
The November 2015 Special Town Meeting authorized $200,000 in CPA funds to be used by
LexHAB for renovations necessary to convert the farmhouse on the Wright Farm property into
affordable housing. The Town completed the purchase of the property on February 11, 2016.
An environmental site assessment revealed high concentrations of lead in the soil near the
adjacent barn (which requires remediation)but the Town recently cleared the property on which
the farmhouse sits of any environmental issues. The Town will now prepare a plan of the house
lot prior to LexHAB proceeding with the Local Initiative Program (LIP), a state program that
encourages the creation of affordable housing by providing technical assistance to communities.
Cary Memorial Building Sidewalk(Article 4/2015 March Special Town Meeting#2)
$8,241,350 in CPA funds for renovations to the Cary Memorial Building was approved by the
2014 March Special Town Meeting. At the time of the 2014 STM request, the sidewalk
accessibility design had not been decided. This request for $194,200 was approved by the 2015
March Special Town Meeting#2 for the construction of safe, accessible and aesthetically
appropriate sidewalks in front of the Cary Memorial Building. Samples of the new sidewalk
were installed several times but work was put on hold because the design (concrete with brick
banding)was no longer preferred. $108,000 for the installation of the sidewalk remains unspent.
35
The Department of Public Facilities recommends bidding the sidewalk work concurrent with the
work being performed on Mass. Ave. in front of the Cary Memorial Building and applying the
remaining funds to the installation of the sidewalk.
Completed FY 2016 Projects, 2015 ATM: Amount Appropriated/Amount Spent
1. Art. 8 (b)Parker's Revenge Site Restoration. $36,790/ $36,790
2. Art. 8 (c) First Parish Church Restoration Historic Structures Report. $40,000/
$40,000
3. Art. 8 (1) Park Improvements- Hard Court Resurfacing. $55,000/ $54,937
FY 2016 Projects Indefinitely Postponed, 2015 ATM
1. Art. 8 (g) Cary Memorial Building Sidewalk Enhancements
36
Status Report on FY 2015 CPA Projects
Cary Memorial Building Upgrades (Art. 2 2014 March STM)
The 2014 Special Town Meeting appropriated $8,677,400, of which $8,241,350 was CPA-
eligible, to upgrade the Cary Memorial Building. The project reached substantial
completion and a grand re-opening and re-dedication were held on October 24, 2015. The
project has reached final completion but it is anticipated that the remainder of the
appropriation ($108,139) will be used for sidewalk construction once a decision on the
materials has been made. Debt service payments for the financed portion of the project are
ongoing. (See FY18 CPA Project Summaries, Art. 10 (o) (3)).
Art. 3 2014 March STM-Amend Article 5 of November 4, 2013 STM, Renovation to
Community Center (see below).
Art. 10 2014 June STM-Amend Article 5 of November 4, 2013 STM, Renovation to
Community Center
The 2013 November Special Town Meeting authorized $3,169,000 under Article 5 for
renovations to the Community Center. Of this appropriation, $2,846,184 was CPA-eligible
and was to be paid in cash from the Community Preservation Fund(CPF).
An amendment to Article 5 was subsequently approved by the 2014 March STM,
authorizing a new total of$6,220,000 for the renovations. Of this new total, $5,797,184
was CPA-eligible with $451,000 authorized for borrowing and the remainder to be paid in
cash from the CPF.
The 2014 June STM approved a further amendment to Article 5 (as amended at the March
2014 STM)which appropriated a new total of$6,720,000 for renovations to the
Community Center. Of this amount, $6,297,184 was CPA-eligible. This amendment
authorized $451,000 in borrowing with the remainder of the appropriation paid in cash
from the CPF. An FY17 debt service payment was authorized to pay for the retirement of
the note plus accrued interest. The 2017 Annual Town Meeting will consider an FY18 debt
service request for an amount to retire a note issued for the final piece of financing. (See
FY18 Project Summaries, Art 10 (o) (4)).
The renovations have reached substantial completion with the transfer of several town
departments to the facility during 2015. The Grand Opening was held on October 17, 2015
and the project has reached substantial completion with only minor punch list items
remaining.
Visitor Center -Design Phase(Art. 8 (b))
The 2014 Annual Town Meeting appropriated $220,608, of which $59,332 is CPA-eligible,
for design improvements to the Visitor Center. The bulk of the design funds remain
37
unspent. A study has been completed but the direction of the project is on hold,pending a
decision by the Board of Selectmen. If the Board of Selectmen recommends plans that will
entail the construction of a new facility instead of rehabilitating the existing building, the
project will not be CPA-eligible and all unspent funds will be returned to the applicable
CPA reserve.
Battle Green Streetscape Improvements (Art. 8 (e))
This project was the next step in an ongoing program to improve the Battle Green
Streetscape, focusing on efficient and safe pedestrian and vehicular flow in and around the
Battle Green. 2014 Annual Town Meeting approved $63,000 in CPA funding to hire an
architect/engineering firm to take the concept plan to the 25% design stage and develop
cost estimates for the recommended improvements. The total project cost was $90,000, the
remainder being financed through the tax levy. A consultant was hired in 2015 to provide
plans and specifications at 25% design but the project is currently on hold.
LexHAB Set-Aside Funds for Development of Community Housing at the Busa
Property (Art. 8 (g))
2014 Annual Town Meeting approved a total of$1,284,653 to be used by LexHAB for the
development of community housing at the former Busa Farm site off Lowell Street, a Town
property acquired with CPA funds in 2009. This amount included use of remaining fund
balances from previous appropriations for community housing by the 2011 and 2012 Annual
Town Meetings. LexHAB has hired Metrowest Development to provide guidance with the
Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) application process. LexHAB is
also in the process of requesting proposals for architectural design and construction drawings.
Once the DHCD application is complete, LexHAB will appear before the Board of Selectmen for
approval prior to submission.
Lincoln Park Field Improvements - Phase 2 (Art. 8 (h))
2014 Annual Town Meeting approved $200,000 in CPA funds for the design, drainage and
site preparation work associated with the turf replacement at Lincoln Field#2. The
remaining balance for the project, $420,000, was appropriated through a combination of tax
levy funds and Recreation Enterprise monies. This project represents Phase II of the three-
phase capital improvement program to preserve and rehabilitate the recreational resources
at Lincoln Park. The project includes site work to prepare for the replacement of the
synthetic turf at Lincoln Field#2, including drainage, field improvements, laser grading,
rehabilitation of surrounding walkways and replacement of the edging. The project is
nearing completion and the contractor is working on punch list items.
Parker Meadow Accessible Trail D&E (Art. 8 (1))
This project, a collaboration between the Recreation Committee, the Conservation
Commission, the Commission on Disability and other interested citizens and land stewards,
requested $34,500 in CPA funding to design and create a universally accessible passive
38
recreational trail system for Parker Meadow. Cost estimates for this phase are currently
being received with the goal of awarding the contract to a professional consultant to
prepare design and engineering plans and final bid documents for the construction of the
trail. A subsequent FY19 request for construction funds is expected.
Land Acquisition - off Concord Road(Art. 3 June, 2014 STM)
At the June, 2014 Special Town Meeting, Town Meeting Members approved the
acquisition of 12 acres of"back land" at 430 Concord Avenue; $180,000 of this amount
was for acquisition or taking, with the remaining $40,000 for associated legal expenses.
To-date, the parties have not yet resolved issues concerning the legal ownership of the
property. The matter is still subject to potential litigation and is being discussed by the
Board of Selectmen in Executive Session.
Completed FY 2015 Projects, 2014 ATM: Amount Appropriated/Amount Spent
1. Art. 8 (c) Hastings Park Gazebo Renovation. $120,000/ $120,000
2. Art. 8 (d)Historical Commission Inventory Forms for Priority Buildings. $35,000/
$34,040
3. Art. 8 (f) Vynebrook Village Renovations. $300,551/ $231,725
4. Art. 8 (i) Park and Playground Improvements. $65,000/ $64,828
5. Art. 8 (j) Park Improvements- Athletic Fields. $100,000/ $92,435
6. Art. 8 (k)Park Improvements- Hard Court Resurfacing. $85,000/ $85,000
FY 2015 Projects Indefinitely Postponed, 2014 ATM
1. Art. 8 (a) Sidewalk Construction for the Community Center.
39
Status Report on FY 2014 CPA Projects
Archives and Records Management/Conservation (Art. 8 (a))
This FY14 request marked the transition from the five-year CPA-funded preservation
program addressing the major backlog of conservation and preservation needs. The 2013
Annual Town Meeting approved $20,000 for the Archives and Records
Management/Conservation initiative which concentrated on the preservation needs of
smaller and `newly historic' collections. These include Fire Book Records and the General
Register of Voters Records from 1884-1932. As of February 2017, conservation and
digitization have been completed. Microfilming and migration to Laserfiche will continue
in 2017.
CPA Conservation Restriction Enforcement Funds (Art. 8 (b))
This $25,000 project was funded by the 2013 Annual Town Meeting to draft and record
Conservation Restrictions on five CPA-funded conservation lands purchased in the last
several years. Since a conservation entity separate from the Town Conservation
Commission must hold the restriction, funding included nominal monies to ensure that such
an organization would be able to complete the baseline and documentation work and long
term monitoring necessary to responsibly hold the restriction. Town staff is currently
collaborating with Conservation Land Stewards and the Citizens for Lexington
Conservation Commission (CLC) to prepare the restrictions for acceptance by the
Conservation Commission, Board of Selectmen and the State Division of Conservation
Services. $5,000 from the fund will be paid to the CLC upon the recording of each
restriction at the Registry of Deeds to cover the administrative and enforcement costs in
perpetuity.
Land Purchase - Off Marrett Road(Community Center) (Art. 2 Mar. 2013 STM)
At the March 18, 2013 Special Town Meeting, funds were approved for the purchase of the
property at 39 Marrett Road, owned by the Scottish Rite Masons, to be used as a multi-
generational community center for the Town of Lexington. The purchase price,plus
related closing expenses, totaled $10,950,000, of which $7,390,000 was eligible for CPA
funding. The purchase of the property was completed on December 5, 2013; the transition
of several Town departments to the facility occurred in 2015. The acquisition was financed
through the issuance of a $7.39 million bond anticipation note in November, 2013, and
converted to a 10-year bond in February, 2014. Debt service payments are ongoing. (See
FY18 Project Summaries, Art. 10 (o) (2)).
Renovations to Buildings to be acquired at 39 Marrett Road (Art. 5 Nov. 2013 STM)
❖ (See Article 10, 2014 June STM/FY15 CPA Project Updates).
40
Completed FY 2014 Projects, 2013 ATM: Amount Appropriated/Amount Spent
1. Art. 8 (c) Cary Memorial Building Upgrades- Design Funds. $550,000/ $550,000
2. Art. 8 (f)Park and Playground Improvements. $147,500/ $140,110
3. Art. 8 (g) Park Improvements- Athletic Fields. $65,000/ $57,736
4. Art. 8 (h) Lincoln Park Field Improvements. $150,000/ $149,999
5. Art. 8 (i) Lexington Center Pocket Park Design and Ancillary Costs. $21,500/
$21,500
6. Art. 8 (j)Merriam Hill Preservation Project. $3,000/ $3,000
7. Art. 8 (k)Moon Hill Preservation Project. $3,000/ $3,000
8. Art. 8 (1) Greeley Village Front Doors. $172,734/ $172,734
9. Art. 8 (n)ACROSS Lexington Pedestrian/Bicycle Route System. $5,000/ $5,000
10. Art. 8 (o) Buckman Tavern Restoration and Renovation. $650,000/ $616,838
FY 2014 Projects Indefinitely Postponed, 2013 ATM
1. Art. 8 (d)Muzzey Senior Center Upgrade-Phase 3.
2. Art. 8 (e) Visitor Center- Design Phase.
FY 2014 Projects Not Adopted, 2013 ATM
1. Art. 8 (m) LexHAB Set-Aside Funds for Development of Community Housing.
$450,000
41
Status Report on FY 2013 CPA Projects
Archives and Records Management/Conservation, Phase 5 (Art. 8 (a))
The 2012 Annual Town Meeting appropriated $150,000 in CPA funds for the fifth year of
the 5-Year Archives and Records Management/Conservation initiative. This work included
preservation, conservation and digitization of 1854-1895 Tax Books, 1906-1915 Valuation
Lists, 1866 Lexington Liquor Agency Records, 1815-1850 Selectmen Records, and 1677-
1844 Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths. Efforts also involved the cataloging of
collections through the collection management software, Past Perfect. The conservation and
digitization of these historical records are complete. Microfilming and migration to
Laserfiche will continue in 2017.
Battle Green Master Plan Implementation, Phase 2 (Art. 8 (f))
This project was approved for $143,845 at the 2012 Annual Town Meeting for repairs and
upgrades to the pathways surrounding the Battle Green and Belfry Hill and for rehabilitation
of the granite steps leading to the Obelisk and the fence at Ye Olde Burying Ground. An
architect has been hired to develop plans and specifications and work is anticipated to begin
in spring 2018.
LexHAB Set-Aside Funds for Housing Acquisition (Art. 8 (g))
The 2012 Annual Town Meeting approved $450,000 in set-aside funds to be used by
LexHAB for the purchase of one or more units of affordable housing. Due to the escalation
of housing costs, LexHAB was unable to secure a suitable residence in Lexington with the
approved amount. The 2014 Annual Town Meeting approved an appropriation of$750,000
for development of community housing on the Busa property. The unspent $450,000 and a
remaining fund balance from a previous community housing appropriation was also
approved by the 2014 Annual Town Meeting to supplement the $750,000. The total
appropriation was $1,284,653 to be used for development of community housing on the Busa
property.
LexHAB has hired Metrowest Development to provide guidance with the Department of
Housing and Community Development(DHCD) application process. LexHAB is also in the
process of requesting proposals for architectural design and construction drawings. Once the
DHCD application is complete, LexHAB will appear before the Board of Selectmen for approval
prior to submission.
Greeley Village Accessible Housing Project(Art. 8 (j))
The 2012 Annual Town Meeting approved $810,673 to be used by the Lexington Housing
Authority (LHA) for construction of four one-bedroom handicapped accessible units at
Greeley Village, one of Lexington's affordable housing developments. As of April 2016, the
42
units were occupied, marking substantial completion of the project. Final landscaping work
is expected to be completed in spring 2017.
Land Purchase- Off Grove Street(Art. 9)
2012 Annual Town Meeting approved $3,072,000 in CPA funding for the purchase of 12.6
acres of open space at the Wright Farm property on 241 Grove Street,plus related expenses,
to be dedicated as conservation land. At the time of purchase, the Town retained a future
option to purchase the remaining .99 acre of the property, containing a farmhouse, barn and
garage. The 2015 Annual Town Meeting approved $618,000 in CPA funds for the purchase
of the remaining parcel.
The purchase of the first portion of land was completed on December 20, 2012, financed
with a short term bond anticipation note issued in February, 2013 in the amount of
$2,950,000. In February, 2014, the BAN was converted to a $2,950,000 ten-year bond, with
the first debt service coming due in FY15. Debt service payments are ongoing. (See FY18
Project Summaries, Art. 10 (o) (1)).
Completed FY 2013 Projects, 2012 ATM: Amount Appropriated/Amount Spent
1. Art. 8 (b)Paint Mine Barn Preservation. $34,770/ $34,454
2. Art. 8 (c) Muzzey Senior Center Upgrades. $561,518/$561,518
3. Art. 8 (d) Cary Memorial Building Upgrades. $75,000/ $73,133
4. Art. 8 (e) Center Playfields Drainage, Phase 3. $605,718/ $605,718
5. Art. 8 (h) Buckman Tavern HS Report/Needs Assessment. $65,000/ $65,000
6. Art. 8 (i)Historical Society- Historical Records Preservation. $77,268/ $77,268
43
Status Report on FY 2012 CPA Projects
LexHAB Set-Aside for Housing Acquisition (Art. 8 (d))
The 2011 Annual Town Meeting approved $450,000 in set-aside funds to be used by
LexHAB for the purchase of one or more units of affordable housing. In 2011, LexHAB
purchased a single family dwelling at 1 Wilson Road for $365,000, and completed the
necessary upgrades and repairs. A tenant was selected and the house included on the Town's
SHI. The unspent balance was subsequently approved by the 2014 Annual Town Meeting
for development of community housing on the Busa property. An additional appropriation of
$750,000 and the unspent balance from an FY13 housing appropriation were also authorized
in 2014 for this purpose. The total amount appropriated was $1,284,653.
LexHAB has hired Metrowest Development to provide guidance with the Department of
Housing and Community Development(DHCD) application process. LexHAB is also in the
process of requesting proposals for architectural design and construction drawings. Once the
DHCD application is complete, LexHAB will appear before the Board of Selectmen for approval
prior to submission.
Battle Green Monument Restoration (Art. 8 (e))
$50,000 was approved by the 2011 Annual Town Meeting to address the rehabilitation and
repair of existing monuments in and around the Battle Green. Monuments to be restored and
repaired include the Obelisk, Minuteman Statue, Minuteman Monument and the Common
flagpole. Final preservation plans have been approved, and work is expected to begin in
August 2017.
Battle Green Master Plan Implementation, Phase 1 (Art. 8 (f))
This project was approved for $50,000 at the 2011 Annual Town Meeting to repair and
upgrade the pathways surrounding the existing monuments on the Battle Green. A
conservator has been hired to develop plans and specifications for this project. Construction
is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2017.
Completed FY 2012 Projects, 2011 ATM and STM: Amount Appropriated/Amount
Spent
1. Art. 8 (a) ATM Archives and Records Management/Conservation. $150,000/
$150,000
2. Art. 8 (b)ATM East Lexington Fire Station Doors Replacement. $60,000/ $60,000
3. Art. 8 (g) Center Playfields Drainage Implementation, Phase 2. $911,863/ $911,863
4. Art. 8 (i) Vynebrook Village Drainage Improvements, Phase 2. $364,800/ $261,578
5. Art. 7 (a) STM Cary Library Archives Preservation. $35,000/ $35,000
44
FY 2012 Projects Indefinitely Postponed, 2011 ATM
1. Art. 8 (h)Muzzey Condominium Association Window Replacement.
FY2012 Projects Not Adopted, 2011 ATM
1. Art. 8 (c) Leary Property Planning Funds. $30,000
45
Status Report on FY 2011 CPA Projects
Archives and Records Management/Records Conservation (Art. 8 (g))
The 2010 Annual Town Meeting approved $150,000 for the third year of the on-going
preservation of the Town's historical records. The conservation and digitization of the
following bound volumes have been completed: Vital Records (1898-1937); Selectmen
Records (1863-1873), Books of Licenses and Perambulation (1850-1924); Annual Town
Reports (1875-1999); Historic Districts Commission records of historical importance;
Assessors' Records of Tax and Valuations from the 1800s and early 1900s; and the records
of the Overseers of the Poor(1855-1870). As of February 2017, the Laserfiche migration
project is proceeding. It is anticipated that full migration of Lexington's preserved historic
documents will be complete by the end of 2017.
Cary Memorial Building Signage (Art. 8 (j))
The $25,000 Cary Memorial Building Signage project, approved by the 2010 Annual Town
Meeting, is being coordinated with the Cary Memorial Building Upgrade. This appropriation
will be used to implement appropriate exterior signage. Signs are currently on order and the
Department of Public Facilities hopes to install the signage in the spring of 2017.
Completed FY 2011 Projects, 2010 ATM: Amount Appropriated/Amount Spent
1. Art. 8 (a) Minuteman Bikeway Preservation. $320,000/ $308,733
2. Art. 8 (b) Old Reservoir Project Stormwater Mitigation, Phase 2. $190,047/ $168,413
3. Art. 8 (c) Center Playfields Drainage, Phase 1. $875,173/ $872,595
4. Art. 8 (d) Greeley Village Siding Replacement. $386,129/ $378,027
5. Art. 8 (e) Vynebrooke Village Drainage Study. $10,000/ $9,999
6. Art. 8 (f) LexHAB Purchase of Two Properties. $695,000/ $695,000
7. Art. 8 (h) Cary Memorial Library Archives Preservation. $100,000/ $94,950
8. Art. 8 (i) Cary Memorial Building Improvements/Upgrades Study. $60,000/ $60,000
9. Art. 8 (k)Municipal Building Envelope. $73,000/ $34,000
10. Art. 8 (1) Town Office Building Renovation. $1,500,000/ $1,385,169
11. Art. 8 (m) Cary Memorial Building HVAC. $35,000/ $33,274
12. Art. 8 (n)Police Station Ventilation. $31,700/ $28,361
13. Art. 8 (o)Muzzey Senior Center Improvements Study. $45,100/ $45,100
14. Art. 8 (p)White House Historic Structure Report. $18,000/ $18,000
15. Art. 8 (q) Stone Building Exterior Stabilization. $202,933/ $202,927
16. Art. 8 (r) Munroe Tavern Capital Improvements. $400,000/ $400,000
17. Art. 8 (s) Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey. $5,300/ $5,161
18. Art. 8 (t) Battle Green Master Plan. $25,000/ $25,000
19. Art. 9 Cotton Farm Land Acquisition. $3,857,000/ $3,857,00
46
Status Report on FY 2010 CPA Projects
Completed FY 2010 Projects, 2009 ATM and STM: Amount Appropriated/Amount
Spent
1. Art. 11 (a) Center Playfields Drainage Study. $70,000/ $70,000
2. Art. 11(b) Storm Water Mitigation at the Old Reservoir and Marrett Road, Phase 1.
$569,000/ $525,198
3. Art. 11 (c) Pond Drainage Improvements to Pine Meadows GC. $200,000/ $200,000
4. Art. 11 (d) Archives and Records Management Preservation. $150,000/ $150,000
5. Art. 11 (f) Town Office Building Renovation Design. $30,000/ $30,000
6. Art. 11 (g) Police Station Space Needs Study. $45,000/ $39,115
7. Art. 11 (h) Stone Building Renovation. $180,000/ $52,093
8. Art. 11 (i) Fire Headquarters Renovation and Redesign. $29,700/ $27,261
9. Art. 11 (j) Greeley Village Roof Replacement. $320,828/ $320,828
10. Art. 11 (k) Munroe Tavern Historic Structure Report. $50,000/ $40,000
11. Art. 11 (1) Purchase of Three Properties by LexHAB. $845,000/ $845,000
12. Art. 12 Purchase of the Leary Property off Vine Street. $2,763,100/ $2,727,291
13. Art. 6 (a) STM Land Purchase off Lowell Street (the Busa Farm). $4,197,000/
$4,192,903
FY 2010 Projects Indefinitely Postponed, 2009 ATM
1. Art. 11 (e) Cary Vault Climate Control- Supplemental Appropriation.
47
Status Report on FY 2009 CPA Projects
Completed FY 2009 Projects, 2008 ATM and STM: Amount Appropriated/Amount
Spent
1. Art. 9 (a) Survey and Define Affordable Housing Study- LexHAB and Lexington
Housing Authority. $25,000/ $13,204
2. Art. 9 (b) Belfry Hill Restoration Project. $9,850/ $9,362
3. Art. 9 (c) Hancock-Clarke House Restoration. $600,000/ $600,000
4. Art. 9 (d)Reconstruction of the Gatehouse/Pond Dredging at the Old Reservoir.
$55,000/ $21,947
5. Art. 9 (e) Window Replacement at Vynebrook Village. $158,686/ $155,155
6. Art. 9 (f) Archives and Records Management/Records Conservation. $150,000/
$150,000
7. Art. 9 (g) Purchase of Three Condominium Units at Parker Manor- LexHAB.
$652,800/ $652,800.
8. Art. 9 (i) Harrington School Playground. $75,000/ $75,000
9. Art. 9 (j) Building Upgrades to the Old Harrington School. $330,000/ $330,000
10. Art. 9 (k) TOB Complex Building Envelope. $95,000/ $95,000
11. Art. 9 (1) East Lexington Fire Station- Storm Window and Central Air Conditioning.
$47,500/ $46,287
12. Art. 9 (m) ADA Accessible Bathrooms and Appropriate Signage at the Town Office
Building. $70,000/ $70,000
13. Art. 9 (n) Town Office Building Use Study and Renovation Design. $80,000/
$80,000
14. Art. 9 (q)Replacement of Munroe School Fire Prevention System. $579,550/
$344,803
15. Art. 5 STM Acquisition of the Goodwin Parcels. $181,517/ $180,343
16. Art. 6 STM Harrington Preschool Playground Supplemental Appropriation. $35,135/
$19,278
FY 2009 Projects Indefinitely Postponed, 2008 ATM
1. Art. 9 (h) Senior Center Design, Renovation and Expansion.
2. Art. 9 (o) Stone Building Renovation.
3. Art. 9 (p)Proposed Land Acquisitions.
48
Status Report on FY 2008 CPA Projects
Historic Preservation at Ye Olde Burial Ground and Munroe Cemetery (Art. 26(b))
The 2007 Annual Town Meeting voted $367,000 in CPA funds to hire a qualified stone
conservator and a qualified stone preservation contractor to preserve and repair the grave
markers at Ye Olde Burial Ground and Munroe Cemetery. Ivan Myjer, of Building
Monument Conservation, was hired as the stone conservator and project overseer.
ConservArt LLC was hired to perform preservation and restoration work at Ye Olde Burial
Ground, Munroe Cemetery and Robbins Cemetery. Based upon reports from Ivan Myjer, a
majority of markers and stones at Ye Olde Burial Ground, Munroe Cemetery and Robbins
Cemetery have been repaired and restored. Attention will now turn to the final phase of the
project. This will include any final restoration work at these cemeteries, and the development
of a map of each cemetery. This final phase of work is expected to be conducted during the
fall of 2017.
Tourism Signs (Art. 26 (i))
At the 2007 Annual Town Meeting, $18,360 was voted for directional and storytelling
signage in Lexington. The directional signage from local highways to the Town's historic
sites has been created and installed. One remaining sign is still in the design phase, a
storytelling sign about April 19th, 1775,planned for the Battle Green. The Tourism
Committee applied for FY14 funding for three other signs; two for Buckman Tavern and one
for Belfry Hill to use some of the available funds from this project. The CPC voted to
authorize the use of up to $3,000 of the $6,500 remaining Sign Project funds for the FY14
request. Currently, there is $3,850 in available funding for the completion of this FY08
project, but work has been put on hold pending possible improvements to the Battle Green
and Visitors Center.
Completed FY 2008 Projects, 2007 ATM: Amount Appropriated/Amount Spent
1. Art. 26 (a) Center Playfields Drainage Engineering Study. $40,000/ $40,000
2. Art. 26 (c) Approved Fire Monitoring/Historic Houses. $18,120/ $17,175
3. Art. 26 (d) Boiler and Oil Tank for Buckman Tavern. $10,685/ $9,900
4. Art. 26 (e) Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey. $90,000/ $90,000
5. Art. 26 (f) Greeley Village Window Replacement. $228,404/ $221,115
6. Art. 26 (g) East Lexington Branch Library (Stone Building) - Historic Structure
Report. $43,000/ $43,000
7. Art. 26 (h) Cary Hall Restoration and Rehabilitation (Assessment of Cary Hall as
a Performance Center). $147,130/ $68,257
8. Art. 26 (j) Douglas House - Rehabilitation of 7 Oakland Street(Rehabilitation of
the former Minuteman Press Building for affordable housing for brain-injured
adults). $300,000/ $300,000
9. Art. 26 (k)West Lexington Greenway Corridor $125,000/ $124,670
10. Art. 26 (1) Muzzey High Condominium Building Study. $53,500/ $53,500
49
Report on FY 2007 CPA Projects
Completed FY 2007 Projects, 2006 ATM and STM: Amount Appropriated/Amount
Spent
1. Art. 25 Open Space and Recreation Plan. $20,000/ $20,000
2. Art. 28 (c) Fire Station/Bedford Street Renovations. $100,000/ $100,000
3. Art. 28 (g) Police Station - Interior Renovations. $100,000/ $100,000
4. Art. 28 (i) Cary Memorial Building Vault Climate Control. $60,000/ $56,437
5. Art. 4 (b) STM Hancock-Clarke House Pre-Restoration Project(Historic Structure
Report, Building Usage Study, Accessibility Evaluation and Construction
Specifications). $25,000/ $25,000
6. Art. 4 (c) STM Lexington Depot—Elevator Project. $44,000/ $44,000
7. Art. 4 (d) Cary Vault Shelving. $60,000/ $60,000
NOTE:All unspent project funds are returned to the "bucket"from which they were
originally appropriated.
50
CPF ACCOUNT BALANCES
2017 Annual Town Meeting
APPROPRIATED TO DATE
(by category as of March 1, 2017)
CATEGORY
COMMUNITY HOUSING $8,765,100
HISTORIC RESOURCES $31,788,113
OPEN SPACE $14,420,360
RECREATIONAL RESOURCES $6,551,249
TOTAL $61,524,822
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES $1,355,000
TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS TO DATE $62,879,822
AVAILABLE FOR APPROPRIATION AT ANNUAL
TOWN MEETING, MARCH 2017
AVAILABLE BALANCES
COMMUNITY HOUSING RESERVE $138,824
HISTORIC RESOURCES RESERVE $563,633
OPEN SPACE RESERVE $538,903
UNBUDGETED RESERVE $108,529
UNDESIGNATED FUND BALANCE $2,008,756
TOTAL $3,358,645
ESTIMATED REVENUES FY 2018
PROPERTY SURCHARGE $4,498,110
STATE MATCH (21% est.) $923,370
INVESTMENT INCOME $20,700
TOTAL $5,442,180
TOTAL ESTIMATED CPF FUNDS
AVAILABLE FOR FY18 $8,800,825
51
FY18 CPA PROJECT COSTS AND SUMMARY
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING-ARTICLE 10 VOTE AMOUNT
HISTORIC RESOURCES
Art. 10(a) Interpretive Signage Project 9-0 $38,400
Parker's Revenge Interpretive and Public Education Signage
Art. 10(b) and Displays 8-0-1 $41,350
Art. 10(h) Stone Building Feasibility Study 7-1-1 $25,000
Art. 10(i) Munroe School Window Restoration 9-0 $620,000
Art. 10(j) Center Streetscape Improvements I.P
Art. 10(k) Community Center Sidewalk I.P
Subtotal $724,750
COMMUNITY HOUSING
Art. 10(c) Greeley Village Rear Door and Porch Supplemental Request 9-0 $56,712
Art. 10(d) Affordable Units Preservation-Judges Road/Pine Grove 6-0 $1,048,000
Subtotal $1,104,712
OPEN SPACE
Art. 10(e) Willard's Woods and Wright Farm Meadow Preservation 9-0 $40,480
Art. 10(f) Cotton Farm Conservation Area Improvements 9-0 $301,300
Art. 10(g) Wright Farm Supplemental Funds 9-0 $37,900
Subtotal $379,680
RECREATION
Art. 10(l) Park Improvements-Athletic Fields p 9-0 $125,000
Art. 10(m)Town Pool Renovation 9-0 $1,620,000
Art. 10(n) Park and Playground Improvements 9-0 $60,000
Subtotal $1,805,000
Total ATM Projects Art. 10 (a-n) $4,014,142
Art. 10(o) CPA Debt Service 6-0 $2,390,998
Art. 10(p) Administrative Budget 9-0 $150,000
Subtotal $2,540,998
TOTAL FY18 COSTS FOR ARTICLE 10 (a-p) $6,555,140
52
SUMMARY
FINANCING SOURCES
AVAILABLE CASH BALANCES $3,358,645
ESTIMATED FY18 REVENUE $5,442,180
TOTAL AVAILABLE FOR FY18 $8,800,825
FY18 COSTS(Annual Town Meeting)
PROJECT COSTS TO BE TAKEN FROM CPF CASH $4,014,142
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES AND DEBT SERVICE $2,540,998
TOTAL $6,555,140
NET BALANCE(AVAILABLE FOR FY19) $2,245,685
53