HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-10-CEC-minLexington Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) Minutes, 12/10/08, 8:30 am, Town
Office Building, Room 111
Members Present: David Kanter, Shirley Stolz, Bill Hurley, Ted Edson, Charles Lamb
(Chair)
Others: Susan Bennett (Lexington Historical Society [LHS]), Marilyn Fenollosa
(Lexington Community Preservation Committee [CPC]), George Burnell (Lexington
Selectmen), Ann Whitney (Lexington Housing Authority), Steve Keane (Lexington
Housing Authority), Martha Wood (LexHAB)
Hancock-Clarke (H-C) renovation is nearing completion; estimated at 12/31/08. It was
started in January 2006 with astudy$SOK. Total project cost is $L1M, including that
study and a 15% contingency. Funding is $600K Community Preservation Act, $SOK
State, $200K from the LHS endowment, and the remainder from fund raising. LHS has
raised $200K of the $250K needed.
Capital Needs Assessment of Munroe Tavern (Susan Bennett
Munroe doesn't have the structural problems that H-C had. They want to know if they
can recapture any of the original historic features of the building. They'll replace the
sprinkler systems. The historic part of Munroe Tavern is not heated. There are many
historic artifacts in the building. They need to make the building Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. They want to add a restroom (there's none present
now). They have a rough schematic from 2 years ago. The scope of construction would
be substantially less than H-C. They're happy with their contractor at H-C.
Re: State grant from Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC). MHC is not
generally interested in systems repair. Susan is willing to help with grant writing for the
Stone Building, but the MHC won't allow two Lexington projects.
Committee sentiment is unanimous in support.
Stone Building (SB) Discussion
H-C versus SB: square-footage is approximately the same. $43K was spent on SB study
last year and is roughly equivalent to the $SOK spent for the H-C study. Susan believes
the report for the SB is deficient relative to the H-C study. Also believes that the firm
which did the SB study (HKT Architects, Inc.) is not up to standards for a historic
building.
Marilyn Fenollosa: Contributing to the issue with the SB study is that the town packaged
it along with two other buildings into one study Request for Proposal (RFP).
Susan Bennett shared the RFP for H-C with the Town staff before the consolidated study
RFP was written. Believes the SB study's figure of $271K for design & engineering is
too high.
Marilyn Fenollosa: CPC has not analyzed the $271K line-by-line.
Lexington Housin Authority~Ann Whitney, Steve Keane)
New roofs at Greeley Village: $320,828. There are some leaks. It will need 350 squares
of shingles. They propose to put skylights in the hallways for energy savings during the
day. Committee recommends a contingency fee incase of possible sheathing
deterioration.
Recap of Greeley window replacement (prior-year appropriation): "Costs are tight" but
still on budget.
Vinebrook Windows (prior year, FY09): Still in the engineering phase. $158K. They've
spent $210K so far on architects. They still think they can do the project.
Committee Sentiment: Generally in support.
LexHAB Request to CPC (Martha Wood
They have 3 projects this year:
1) Emerson Gardens-1 BR Condo. LexHAB has very few 1 BR units, but many
applicants for them. They have already bought this at $250K with 20% down and
are looking for ~$200K (80%) to pay off the initially-interest-only mortgage.
2) 300 Woburn, a 3 BR house which is already purchased at $352,500 with 20%
down. They' 11 tear it down and build a 3 BR Cape. It's slab with a heating system
in the slab. The pipes are deteriorated. There is asbestos throughout. LexHAB will
pay for the tear down and the new house. Minuteman Regional High School will
help build a new house. They are looking for $282,000 (80%) to pay off the
initially-interest-only mortgage.
3) 11 Ross Rd, a 3 BR house, foreclosure sale. $395K is the agreed-on purchase
price. They have an accepted bid, but no Purchase & Sale Agreement. They're
waiting for the bank to clear the liens. They would pay 20% and are looking for
$316,000 (80%) to pay off what would be an initially-interest-only mortgage.
The Board of Selectmen approved the purchase of (1) and (2). All three are qualified for
the Lexington Subsidized Housing Inventory (LSHI) (Chapter 40(b) related).
Katahdin Woods (KW) says that long term (3-5 years) they have no intention of selling
it. The original financing of K. might imply that it must be affordable in perpetuity. The
intent is to buy approximately 30 units at KW if they ever come up ($2M-$3M). That's
at construction price plus some appreciation.
Committee Sentiment: Support with reservations about lack of policy and total cost of the
project at 300 Woburn Street being near $SOOK.
Adjourn: 10:3 0 am
Approved: February 4, 2009