HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-03-06-CEC-summit
MEETING DATE 3/6/2002-SUMMIT
CEC members present: CharlesH, NarainB, ShirleyS
Others: School Committee, Appropriations Committee, Selectmen ( Bill
Kennedy, new member) and Town manger.
The discussions were mainly on cash capital and the special meeting
articles.
Cash Capital:
There were presentations by Andrew of town administration and CharlesH.
Upshot of CEC position was that the cash capital policy was falling
short of
its 5% contribution and this year it would be 4.2%. Administration
countered that less debt would be incurred this year compared to last
year
and in absolute terms more contributions were made each year in past
three
years. After the summit adjourned, CEC resolved in response to Charles
question that we should emphasize the need to maintain 5% funding
level.
Special meeting articles:
Article 2 - Wright Street is not ready for this year.
Article 1 - Road Program, selectmen unanimously voted to approve $7
million
program. The discussion indicated considerable lack of understanding
about
the whole program and questions on quality level, length of the
program,
distinction between catch and maintenance program, use of ch. 90 funds
etc
were explained by DavidC of DPW and others.
Article 5 - School remodeling program was unanimously approved by
selectmen.
Discussion issues were mostly on schedule, inflation, reimbursement
percentage and tax payer impact.
Article 4 - Diamond School Project, selectmen decided to postpone their
vote
on it.
Robin gave presentation of the historical events leading to current
program.
Not much discussion because it was presented as we have no option.
However,
there was a question on whether it was legal or wise to use the prior
approval of the school project by the town and include the item in the
referendum, RickW said that because the Diamond project is not over and
was
originally approved for debt exclusion, the funds requested can be
included
for debt exclusion without another vote. The funds to design high
school
modifications will be included. New elementary schools are being
designed
to the required ambient noise specs.
PeterE voiced his concern that to maintain credibility the TMM must be
given
full information and choices even though, from legal point of view, we
may
be able to fund the project through debt exclusion.
Article 2 - Linclon Park, selectmen decided to postpone their vote on
it.
Bob Atchinson made brief presentation and emphasized increased
capacity,
safer field, more playing hours and increased cost of only $1.0 million
compared to natural grass alternative that would cost 2.4 million. The
difference would be recovered soon because of reduced annual
maintenance
costs.
There was general support for the concept but some kind of user fee or
public/private program was also found support. Appropriation
Committee's
gave their position to use recreation enterprise funds and/or user fees
to
mitigate the high cost to the tax payer to the tune of $100,000 per
year.
RickW supported user fees in concept and would work with Karen Simmons
to
develop a proposal. NarainB pointed to high absolute cost of the
project
that works out to $300 per Lexington playing kid based on about
$400,000
debt service and less than 1500 playing kids. He pointed to the need to
consider a lower cost alternative or a public/private partnership in
funding
the synthetic turf project - similar to library project. PeterE threw a
possibility of considering CPA as funding source though he was not by
this
statement endorsing CPA.
Next summit will be on March 19 at 6.00 PM at High School. CEC shall
meet
at 7 PM on 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st March.
Respectfully submitted,
Narain Bhatia