2022-11-17-CPC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

2 on two opportunities to purchase property, one costing $629,000 and the other $779,000 and also commented on the $1,500,000 being based on the average price of a single-family home in Lexington. Ms. Walker mentioned that Affordable Housing Trust monies could be allocated for other uses besides the purchase of small single-family homes. She referred to initiatives which were funded in neighboring communities, such as providing emergency rental assistan ce for those in need, assistance to first time homebuyers, small grants for seniors to upgrade their homes, or contributing ‘seed money’ for non-profits who have responded to RFPs issued by the Town for the development of affordable housing projects. There are many uses for this pre- funding beyond the purchase of single-family properties. Ms. Fenollosa asked if the Trust would have access to Town Counsel for their decision-making processes. Ms. Kowalski stated that the Trust would have access to Town Cou nsel because it would become a Town entity just like the CPC. After a motion was duly made and seconded the Committee conducted a roll call vote in a straw poll (9-0) to support the project. Transforming Trees into Art: Carol Rose, a Lexington resident, came to the Committee with a proposal to turn 24 stumps near the Center Recreation Complex tennis courts into artistic works of birds from around New England. Ms. Rose described how she met with several different artists who shared their visions for the remains of these century old pine trees and that the cost of work per tree is around $2,500 for a total of $20,000 for eight sculptures. Ms. Rose also went to describe how the sculptures can be used as an educational opportunity for students but also as a way to promote art, passive recreation and education all in one project. Mr. Beuttell commented on the scale of the overall project and whether or not it was not large enough and that the path where the project was going to be located seemed out of the way and not currently fit for the purpose. He also asked whether or not the sculptures could be moved once they are completed. Ms. Rose commented that the sculptures could not be moved since they are stumps and that Dave Pinsonneault is working with the Recreation Department on accessibility to the site. Mr. Beuttell asked if these path improvements would be funded separately and within the time frame of the project. Ms. Rose said that she did not want to speak for the DPW but she believed that this eventuality was included into their designs for the tennis courts. Mr. Creech asked about the height of the stumps and that he was concerned about the potential for vandalism. Ms. Rose stated that right now the stumps range in height from 10-12 feet. Ms. Walker asked if the proposal was vetted by Town Counsel; Ms. Fenollosa stated that Town Counsel has all the current project proposals and that he is reviewing them now. Mr. Horton asked if the stumps were left standing in anticipation of such a project. Ms. Rose said that they were and that in the event the project does not go forward, the stumps will be ground down. Mr. Horton asked who the stakeholders in such a project would look like. Ms. Rose stated that the stakeholders for this project would include one member from every department that has supported the project , including a member of the Community Preservation Committee if the Committee wished. Mr. Pressman stated that he wanted to wait until Town Counsel decided on whether the project falls under the open space or recreation