HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-02-27-CEC-min
MEETING DATE 2/27/2002
Called to order 7.35 PM
Present :
CEC members: NarainB, GeorgeB, CharlesH, ShirleyS
Observer: Tom Griffiths and Muzzey
Condo presenters: Joanne Rosenblatt(?), Susan Hattery
Invited: Marshal Derby (LexHab)
The first portion of the meeting was devoted to presentation and
discussion
of Muzzey Condo problem.
1. Joanne traced the history of creation of condos, excessively high
maintenance costs and low cap on the maximum selling price that was a
disincentive to making improvements. Current market value is between
$100,000 to $200,000. The tenants have estimate of catch up costs of
$3.5
million. Original cap was 4% per year that was negotiated to 5% plus
assessments. Town owns 13 of the 71 condos plus the Senior Center.
2. Members of CEC pointed out to the proponents of Article 13 and 14
that
for CEC to consider funding, we would need a proper engineering sturdy
and
resolution of legal issue of whose responsibility it is. They felt that
the
project is not ready and needs lot more consensus building before going
on
to the floor. They were advised to consider the unintended consequence
of
being rejected at the town meeting and then finding it difficult to
come
back again.
Minutes of 2/21/02 were accepted unanimously.
The second portion of the meeting was devoted to review of the CEC
report.
While no new specific votes were taken on positions, most existing
positions
were affirmed and substantial discussion took place on the following:
1. DPW building projections-- sense was to leave it as it is for now.
2. Article 4 on improvements at Diamond --need to include design funds
for
high school
3. Article 28 on use of Appropriation funds. Sense was to provide for
some
flexibility for the town manager but CEC, in future, should provide
more
oversight of the use of Chapter 90 funds -- the main thrust behind the
article.
4. Article 29 on CPA to wait until selectmen take position. At least 2
members seem against it. Some information that the article might be
pulled
by selectmen since there is no agreement on the percentage.
5. Article 3 (special Town Meeting) Lincoln field. Needs further study
with
respect to economic viability and some technical questions raised by
GeorgeB. Sense was to leave it pending for now. At least two members
seem
against it without some further study.
Other points agreed to:
1. Move East Lexington library project to 2008
2. The cash capital recap sheet prepared by CharlesH pointed to the
enormous
cut in cash capital in FY2003 of $1,096,269 from the 5% of general fund
calculation. We should have received $1,905,769 but ended up getting
$809,500. Such raiding of cash capital cannot be sustained in future.
3. Why not include $256K for Diamond gym floor now to make it part of
the
current project?
4. Add 250K for school technology in each of the out years.
5. Keep COA numbers at CEC projection level of $3.5 million and not
selectman projections pf $6 to 10 million.
6. Remove reference to the maintenance costs of Lincoln field in the
project
description.
Meeting adjourned at 11.10 PM. GeorgeB left at 9.20 PM
Respectfully submitted.
Narain