2021-02-18-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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02/18/2021 AC Minutes Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee (AC) February 18, 2021 Place and Time: Remote Participation: in accordance with the Governor's March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law; communication took place via a Zoom teleconferencing session that was open to the public; 7:30 p.m. Members Present: Glenn Parker, Chair; Sanjay Padaki, Vice-Chair; Alan Levine, Secretary; John Bartenstein; Eric Michelson; Meg Muckenhoupt; Lily Manhua Yan (arrived 8:00 p.m.); Carolyn Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager, Finance (non-voting, ex officio) Member(s)Absent: None Other Attendees: David Pinsonneault, Director, Department of Public Works (DPW); Eileen Jay, Vice-Chair, Lexington School Committee; David Kanter, Vice-Chair and Clerk: Capital Expenditures Committee; Vineeta Kumar; Sara Arnold, Recording Secretary Mr. Parker confirmed attendance by roll call, reviewed the authorization for meeting remotely, noted that the meeting was being called to order at 7:35 p.m. on February 18, 2021, and stated that the meeting was being recorded for the purpose of creating minutes. He also noted that materials for the meeting were available on-line. Announcements and Liaison Reports Ms. Muckenhoupt reported that the Stone Building Reuse Feasibility Committee is asking its members to submit their ideas for the use of the building. She asked that members of this Committee let her know of any thoughts they may have. In response to questions, she reported that there had been a previous study, and the current committee has discussed some brainstorming ideas that are referenced in that committee's minutes; she will provide links to these documents. Mr. Parker reported that at its February 22 meeting, the Select Board (SB) plans to discuss timing for bringing the Police Station project back to Town Meeting. The design phase for a new Police Station was funded, but it has been suspended. The question for the Select Board is when to re- engage the design process, which must be completed prior to the appropriation of construction funds. The window for making a request at the fall 2021 Special Town Meeting is narrowing. If the design process remains suspended, then this appropriation could be delayed until the 2022 Annual Town Meeting or later. It appears that the Town Manager is trying to balance fiscal considerations with concerns that surfaced at the 2020 ATM regarding police policies that were triggered by national events. As a result of the 2020 ATM discussion, a decision was made to put police department related projects on hold until there has been sufficient community discussion about police policies. The Town Manager invited the chairs of the AC and CEC to attend the SB meeting. Mr. Parker, Mr. Levine, and Mr. Michelson plan to attend. It was noted that rebuilding Police Headquarters is separate from a firing range project, which triggered opposition at the 2020 ATM. Use of General and Specified Stabilization Funds Mr. Parker asked for comments regarding the memo he had written that discusses the use of general and specified stabilization funds. Comments included the following: • Contributions from free cash to a stabilization fund are determined one year at a time. If contributions come from the tax levy, there is generally more continuity in their availability. 1