2024-02-29-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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2/29/2024 AC Minutes 2 Mr. Padaki asked why the addition of solar panels was not covered under Article 7 Sustainable Capital Projects. Ms. Kosnoff replied that this project had been in the works since before the sus- tainable capital program had been set up, but that similar projects in the future would be handled as Mr. Padaki suggested. Mr. Levine asked whether the previous drainage issues at the clubhouse were now fully resolved. Ms. Battite replied that new drains and a sump pump in the basement were keeping the basement mostly dry, in spite of recent heavy rains. Mr. Michelson noted that several recent construction projects for the Recreation Department had run over budget due to bids that exceeded their appropriations. He asked if the department had con- fidence that these current requests would be sufficient. Ms. Battite replied that some projects put out to bid during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic were priced unusually high, and that some pro- jects had been delayed by a year, during which time the costs of construction increased. The Recre- ation Department worked with the Department of Public Facilities to develop the cost estimates for these projects, and they believe they reflect the current construction cost environment. Mr. Bartenstein asked what kind of bond would be used to finance the clubhouse renovations. Ms. Kosnoff replied that the Town would probably issue a 10 or 15-year bond, depending on market conditions, and that in the coming years the Town would consider transfers from the Recreation En- terprise Fund to help cover the debt service. Mr. Bartenstein asked Ms. Battite if she would consider raising fees at Pine Meadows to help fund this debt service. Ms. Battite responded that they evaluate their fees annually to stay competitive with other local golf courses. She noted that the golf course currently generates revenue that subsidizes other recreation programs in Lexington. Ms. Battite noted that Recreation Department revenues will be significantly reduced during the an- ticipated shutdown of playing fields during the Lexington High School project. Ms. Kosnoff replied that the uncertainty around future Recreation Department revenue motivated the recommendation to present Article 25 as a General Fund project while allowing the Town to decide in future years whether there is capacity for funding for the project debt service from the Recreation Enterprise Fund. Mr. Padaki asked where solar panels would be installed at the golf course, and how much energy they could be expected to generate. Ms. Battite replied that they would only go on the roof of the clubhouse. Although the maintenance building is larger, it is not structurally sound enough to sup- port solar panels. She had no information on the expected capacity of the solar panels. Mr. Michelson asked Ms. Battite if the Recreation Department was being included in the planning that would affect the future of playing fields in Town. Ms. Battite replied that her department was involved in subgroups working on the high school feasibility study. There is also a separate working group that had paused once the MSBA invited the Town to the feasibility study, but it has now re- sumed. So, the department has a voice in the process, but the final outcome remains unclear. They are awaiting detailed information on wetlands that would be relevant to an Article 97 land swap, and they will have to consider if the land that the Town offers in the land swap can function in the same way as the original land. Mr. Boutwell concurred, but he worried that some Recreation De- partment concerns could be overwhelmed by the momentum of larger design decisions. Mr. Michelson noted that over the last ten years, Recreation has been the second largest recipient of CPA funding at 37%. In the near future, CPA funding for affordable housing is expected to grow significantly, which will reduce CPA funds available for other categories. He asked if the Recrea- tion Department had any plans to function with a reduced amount of CPA funding. Ms. Battite noted that the CPA Recreation category covers more than just the Recreation Department and