2010-11-15-CPC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Minutes of the Community Preservation Committee Monday, November 15, 2010 3:00 pm Room 207 Town Offices Present: Board Members: Wendy Manz,Chair; Marilyn Fenollosa, Vice-Chair; Joel Adler, Norman Cohen, Jeanne Krieger, Leo McSweeney, Sandy Shaw, Betsey Weiss and Dick Wolk. Administrative Assistant : Nathalie Rice Also in attendance was David Kanter, member of the Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) and Glen Parker, Chair of the Appropriations Committee (AC) The meeting was called to order at 3:00 pm by Ms. Manz. 1. Approval of Minutes –White House Minutes from the meeting of November 8th were approved as amended. Stabilization - Pat Goddard, Director of Facilities, and Mark Barrett, Project Manager met with the Committee to discuss the stabilization of the White House. Mr. Goddard reported that the Historic Structure Report (HSR) funded with CPA funds in FY11 is due to be completed in December or early January. The report will outline the significant historic features of the building, and suggest priorities for stabilization. The CPC had a lengthy discussion about the present status and future use of the building. Ms. Fenollosa clarified the HDC ruling regarding the building, stating that the HDC said it might be amenable to selective demolition of non-historic parts of the building, depending on the design ultimately presented to it for approval. The HDC cannot mandate a use or particular design for the building, she explained, but they would like to see a historic portion of the building preserved as an architecturally significant element in a larger structure. There were divergent views on the Committee regarding preserving the White House. Some members noted that the land on which the White House sits is valuable, and felt that a new building on the site could be an attractive focal point for those entering Town from the southeast. Others noted that because of the building’s history and the Town’s commitment to Lexington’s heritage, the White House deserved special consideration and warranted preservation of a portion of the structure. Mr. Kanter said the CEC eagerly anticipated the completion of the HSR and the identification of necessary stabilization measures. The alternative to doing nothing to stabilize the building, he commented, could lead to demolition by default. Mr. Goddard explained that after the receipt of the Historic Structure Report, there would be an evaluation of the alternatives for the stabilization of the White House. He said it would not be until FY13 that funds would be needed for such stabilization work. Ms. Fenollosa questioned whether it made sense to at least paint the building this fiscal year, but Mr. Goddard answered that there were structural and decay issues that would need to be dealt with prior to any painting. 2. Muzzey Senior Center Upgrades, Phase I – Mr. Goddard was joined by Charlotte Rodgers, Director of Human Services, to discuss a proposal for funding upgrades to the Senior Center in the Muzzey School Condominium Building. Mr. Goddard explained that the design study funded with CPA funds for FY11 had not yet been commenced. Due to the timing of the study, he said the Senior Center would not be seeking implementation funds for FY12. Ms. Rodgers did, however, make a presentation to the Committee and outlined the major items that would need upgrading. These included accessibility for wheelchairs and the replacement of the HVAC system. There was considerable discussion of the HVAC system, which Mr. Adler noted had been repaired three years earlier. Ms. Rodgers explained that the repairs at that time had been to the air conditioning system which functions quite reliably. She noted, however, that the heating system is in poor working condition, and she explained that in periods of heavy snow or rain the condensers on the roof often shut down, resulting in no ventilation in the building. 1