2013 Rpt of AC to ATM - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE REPORT TO THE MARCH 2013 ATM agreements with existing property owners who are amenable to the idea. A Phase II request, envisioned for FY2015,will be for construction funding to implement the design developed in Phase I. Article 80) Merriam Hill Preservation Project$3,000 This is a request from the Lexington Historical Commission (LHC). The LHC is charged with the preservation, protection, and development of the his- torical and archeological assets of the town. The Commission maintains an inventory of buildings, areas, and sites of architectural and/or historical importance in Lexington,known as the Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey of Lexington (Inventory). If an owner requests a demolition permit for a house or other building listed on the Inventory, the owner is required to participate in a hearing, administered by the LHC under the Demolition Delay By-law. If, after the hearing, the LHC determines that the building is preferably preserved, a 12-month delay period is imposed. The delay period provides a window of oppor- tunity to consider other alternatives to the demolition of the building. The demolition cannot be delayed indefinitely. The requested funds would be spent to survey Merriam Hill to determine if homes in this historic area have been mistakenly left off the Inventory. The request comes because of recent events. A Merriam Hill house, which was not on the Inventory but, in the opinions of many neighborhood residents, should have been, was demolished without the Town benefiting from a hearing under the Demolition Delay By-law. Also, within the last two years, the LHC learned of two other houses wrongly left off the Inventory. The surveying of the Merriam Hill neighborhood that identified homes for inclusion in the Inventory was done largely in the 1970's and 1980's. Since then, funds appropriated for Inventory-related projects have been used to survey other Lexington neighborhoods of historic value, making Inventory information accessible on-line, and correcting and amending information already in the Inventory. In the wake of the demolition and the recognition that the Inventory may be incomplete, the Merriam Hill Association, asked the LHC to undertake this project to prevent the premature loss of any other architec- turally and historically significant buildings. The project would involve a preliminary study by a qualified professional consultant of all unlisted homes in the Merriam Hill neighborhood to identify possible hous- es for further in-depth study and possible addition to the Inventory, based on standards articulated by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and with notice to homeowners. The Merriam Hill Association will also notify all property owners within its jurisdiction that this project is underway. As this is a preservation project that benefits the entire town, the LHC has requested support from the CPC. Addi- tional funds of$500 will come from the Merriam Hill Association to support the project. We note that the Capital Expenditures Committee has recommended that the LHC request CPC funds in FY2015, as perhaps the first of several annual requests (1) to fully evaluate and document all pending "priority" items on the Inventory and (2) to ensure that no other buildings or neighborhoods have been overlooked. Article 8(k) Moon Hill National Register Nomination Project$6,000 The goal of this project is to suc- cessfully list the Six Moon Hill Historic District neighborhood, one of the Town's most significant clus- ters of modern homes, on the National Register of Historic Places. The existence of comprehensive recognition for Lexington mid-century modern architecture and neighborhoods will publicize and pro- mote the Town's vision for the quality of its neighborhoods and ensure its diversity of historical re- sources. The listing of Six Moon Hill on the National Register of Historic Places will encourage preserva- tion of the documented resources for generations to come. The total cost of the project will be $8,000. The remaining $2,000 of the total project cost will be provided by a grant from the Moon Hill Associa- tion. Article 8(l) Greeley Village Front Doors $172,734 This request by the Lexington Housing Authority proposes the replacement of 25 forty-year old front entrance doors, sidelights, and deteriorated flooring at Greeley Village. Greeley Village is an elderly/young disabled low income public housing apartment com- plex with 100 apartments. The existing metal front entrance doors are deteriorating and have outlived their life expectancy. The new doors will have windows and screened sidelights so residents will be able to see if someone is entering or exiting. Currently, many of the doors are solid with no sidelights, creating 25