HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-02-CEC-min
Minutes
Town of Lexington Capital Expenditures Committee
April 2, 2008
Place and Time: Town Office Building, Room Selectmen’s Meeting Room, 9:00
AM
Members Present: Charles W. Lamb (Chair), Ted Edson (Vice-Chair), David G. Kanter, and
Shirley Stolz
Visitors: Fred Johnson (Lexington Center Committee), Dawn McKenna (Lexington Tourism
Committee), William P. Hadley (Director, Lexington Department of Public Works),
Jerry Michelson, John Bartenstein (Lexington Appropriation Committee), and George Burnell
(Lexington Selectman)
CWL called the meeting to order at 9:00
AM
Discussion of Central Business District (CBD) Sidewalks (Article 15(d))
DGK sets out general feeling of CEC.
JM points out that the cost of structured soil is a major cost. WPH points out that it’s $25K.
JM asks if there’s a different way to do Muzzey Street without structured soil. DK says that
leaving out the underlying asphalt would work for that goal.
FJ: Everyone was aware that this project would cost more. They engaged many interest
group in Town, and there’s a long history of recommendation to Town for this project. It’s
reasonable to anticipate a higher cost. The Center needs visual identifiers of where the CBD
begins and ends.
DM: There’s been no analysis of the long-term maintenance costs of any of the sidewalks.
Points out that CEC has made a value judgment of concrete versus brick.
CWL: There’s no objective way of measuring the cost benefits. CEC makes political (and
value) judgments all the time.
DK: Points out that the financial times have changed and that this is a very expensive project,
thereby justifying non-brick on Muzzey Street. Also concerned about whether Phase 2 is
properly priced.
DM: Historic Districts Commission (HDC) has approved the brick that has been selected.
They prefer to follow the consistent pattern obtained with brick.
WPH: Dave Cannon (Lexington Assistant Town Engineer) is pricing Phase 2 now. Pricing a
year ago was $175K, and now it’s $213K.
DM: What if there’s a supplemental under Article 28 for Phase 2 and then Design &
Engineering (D&E) only for Phase 3 under Article 15(d)?
GB: We need outside funding for surveying. He wants a consensus before we get to Town
Meeting floor. Board of Selectmen is 5:0 in favor. Disabilities Commission is not present at this
meeting and they want concrete with brick border. Every tree pit is 1.5” below grade. Disabilities
Commission has a valid issue with the brick surface. He is also concerned about maintenance of
brick. Many others don’t see Muzzey Street as the same as Mass Ave.
JM: Does CEC acknowledge that the commercial properties pay more in taxes?
CWL: CEC acknowledges that there is more traffic on the CBD sidewalks and therefore they
cost more.
TE: Asks if bricks will increase business?
JM: It will be a better shopping experience.
TE: Phase 2 may cost more than appropriated. So shouldn’t we defer Phase 3?
DM: If Bill Hadley can say that delaying a vote until next spring is OK, then would move to
delay this article and do D&E for Phase 3 in the 2009 Annual Town Meeting.
Discussion of that point.
DM: They (Center Committee) will go forward and have debate on Town Meeting floor
regarding Article 15(d) at $370K.
We agree to disagree on brick versus concrete with brick border.
Motion: Approve minutes of meeting March 5, 2008. (Passed 4:0)
CEC won’t take a position on the Phyllis Scott letter regarding Woburn Street reconstruction and
guardrails.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 .
AM
Respectfully submitted,
Charles W. Lamb
Approved April 30, 2008
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