HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-08-CEC-minMinutes of the Lexington Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) Meeting
Date, Place, and Location: January 8, 2013, 8:00 A.M., Town Office Building, Reed
Room (111)
Members Present: Charles Lamb, Chair; Beth Masterman, Vice - Chair; Jill Hai; Bill Hurley;
David Kanter
Other Attendee(s): Mark Corr, Chief, Police Department; Manuel Ferro, Captain of
Operations, Police Department; David Kelland, Chair, Lexington Historical Commission
(LHC); Marilyn Fenollosa, LHC; Warren Manhard, Treasurer, Merriam Hill Association;
Sara Arnold, Recording Secretary
Documents Presented:
• FY2014— FY2018 Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs), Police Department
• Applications to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) for FY2014 Funding
from the Community Preservation Fund (CPF): LHC
• Draft 3 Minutes for the CEC Meeting, January 4, 2013
Call to Order: At the request of Mr. Lamb, Ms. Masterman called the meeting to order at
8:02 A.M. and chaired the meeting.
Police Department CIPs: The Committee and Police Department staff discussed these
CIPs.
• Police Station; Renovation and Add -on Design and Engineering: Chief Corr reported
that he is meeting next week with the consultants (The Cecil Group) for the Ad hoc
Town -wide Facilities Master Planning Committee (AhTFMPC), which is including
alternatives for the Police Station in its study. In discussing the location and program
needs of a new Police Station, he made the following comments:
To date there has only been a space -needs study, which means that
estimated construction costs for a new police station have not been
developed.
Rough estimates have indicated that a new facility is likely to cost
$10 -15 million;
A joint fire /police facility requires a large piece of property.
The benefits of such a joint -use facility are limited to sharing dispatch services
and a fitness and training center.
The Police Department works closely with the Human Services Department;
this is a better combination than with the Fire Department.
Response time is a major consideration when locating fire /police facilities; the
current locations work well.
Lexington center is a perfect location for the Police Station, but the land area
currently used for the station isn't large enough for the needed new or
renovated station. Perhaps the Hosmer House could be moved or
incorporated into the new Police Station so some of that land would provide
for the needed expanded footprint and the need for 3 driveways would be
re- evaluated.
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The current Police Station requires significant renovations, and more space is
needed.
The Police Department has an emergency generator.
Additional space for dispatch is critical; a disruption to dispatch services is
unacceptable. Dispatch needs to be in a separate area with air - conditioning
and fire - suppression systems.
The Town's computer system is not protected adequately; the head end
needs to be separated from the schools and in its own facility or in a
cordoned -off location.
The firing range at Hartwell Avenue is inadequate; flipping the range
orientation would improve conditions.
The Committee urged the Police Department to stress their needs when talking to
Cecil Group. Mr. Lamb said that he has repeatedly requested that a consultant be
used to develop a comprehensive security audit coupled with Town -wide policies
and procedures that include training regarding the use of technology throughout the
Town. He recognizes that it will cost a half - million dollars to upgrade security for the
current systems, but this may be a necessary expenditure.
The Committee and Chief Corr discussed having a separate CIP next year for the
firing range. It needs to be kept on the radar screen. Surrounding towns have
expressed support of a regional firing range in Lexington. This approach could help
pay for it.
• Software (Police and Fire /EMS): The Police Department is working with an outdated
dispatch- and - management records software system. Capt. Ferro has researched
alternatives throughout the country and internationally, and has not found an obvious
front runner. Regulations in New England are unique so that systems used outside
the region are not appropriate. New York has a custom -built system, but no software
company seems to be interested in investing in the development of new software for
Massachusetts' needs. Woburn purchased a system that was considered the best
available, and they are not happy with it. Billerica and Bedford are purchasing the
ARMS system, which appears to be the best fit for Lexington as well.
The Committee suggested that if ARMS seems like the best available system, the
Town may need to purchase it with the understanding that it may not be a long -term
solution. Chief Corr commented that training takes a considerable amount of time,
and it is important to find a system that will last a reasonable length of time. He also
noted that the department may not be able to handle having a new computer system
installed at the same time renovations or building a new facility are being pursued
because of the pressures these put on staff time.
Charles Lamb left the meeting at 8:25 A.M.
LHC Funding Requests to the CPC:
• Moon Hill National Register Nomination: Mr. Kelland and Ms. Fenollosa reported that
the Moon Hill neighborhood, designed by The Architects Collaborative, now includes
29 residences. The Six Moon Hill Neighborhood Association has asked that the area
be nominated to the National Register of Historic Places based on its architecturally
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and historically significant homes. This is a voluntary procedure. The process is
estimated to cost $8,000, of which the LHC is requesting $6,000 to the CPC from the
CPF; the $2,000 balance would be contributed by the Association.
The National Register of Historic Places is maintained by the National Park Service.
There are several benefits to being listed on the National Register. Although the
program hasn't been funded by Congress, being listed means the home owner can
potentially receive Federal grant money. If a building is income producing, it is
possible to get a 20% Federal tax credit and possibly a State tax credit. Any Federal
or State project that may cause an adverse impact to properties on the National
Register triggers a Federal Section 106 process— which, in Massachusetts, involves
consulting with the Massachusetts Historic Commission —to avoid, minimize, or
mitigate the adverse impact. Being on the National Register is an honorary status;
there are no Federal restrictions on the homeowner's ability to modify, demolish, sell,
or otherwise impact the listed property; although local laws, such as Lexington's
Demolition Delay By -law, may apply. The Moon Hill neighborhood is not under the
jurisdiction of the Historic Districts Commission.
In response to questions, it was reported that there are other neighborhoods in
Lexington with mid - century modern architecture, including Peacock Farm —which
was recently added to the National Registry. No studies have determined if this
designation impacts the property value. The LHC does not intend to pursue the
listing of the other neighborhoods in the near future, and it is possible that those
neighborhoods will not choose to come to the LHC to request assistance in pursuing
such nominations.
• Merriam Hill Preservation Project: The Merriam Hill Association approached the LHC
after the house at 31 Somerset Road was demolished. The Association is interested
in having an additional historic assessment of the houses in the neighborhood to
determine whether there are more properties within the neighborhood that should be
added to Lexington's Inventory of Cultural Resources, thereby becoming subject to
Lexington's Demolition Delay By -law.
The LHC has a mission to document and protect buildings that are architecturally
and historically significant, and they have developed an inventory of houses and
neighborhoods that fit into this category (the Inventory). That Inventory consists of
buildings that have been fully documented and those on a Priority List where an
initial assessment indicates they deserve protection. There is case law that one
cannot demand their building be removed from either component of the Inventory as
there is no harm done to the owner by the mere fact of being listed. However, if a
follow -up assessment demonstrates that a house has lost its historic or architectural
integrity, the house would be removed from the Inventory. Otherwise, a property in
the Inventory is subject to the Town's Demolition Delay By -law, which requires up to
a 12 -month demolition delay unless the owner can demonstrate to the LHC that no
preservation alternative exists. If the LHC denies a demolition request, the owner
can appeal to the Massachusetts Superior Court. If the building is a tear down, this
process could potentially decrease the value of a building because of the delay.
The LHC does not have funding to fulfill its mission to determine which Lexington
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buildings are architecturally and historically significant. About 150 properties need a
more - detailed assessment.
The LHC is interested in assessing the homes in the Merriam Hill neighborhood
because it is an old, historic, neighborhood and because the neighborhood
association has made the request. The process is estimated to cost $3,500, of which
the LHC is requesting $3,000 to the CPC from the CPF; the $500 balance would be
contributed by the Association.
The Committee strongly recommended that the LHC go to the CPC again next year,
whether or not any neighborhood requests it, for funding — perhaps the first of
several annual requests —to complete all pending more - detailed assessments/
documentation of properties in the Inventory (i.e., those on the Priority List) and
provide advice of that action and the outcome to the owners of all those properties.
This would ensure all of the Inventory has the benefit of full documentation justifying
inclusion in the Inventory and help ensure owners know whether their building is
subject to the Demolition Delay By -law.
Minutes: It was moved and seconded to approve the January 4, 2013 Minutes — subject to
Mr. Kanter confirming with Carl Valente, Town Manager, that the comments he made at
that meeting are properly reflected in the Minutes. Vote: 4 -0
Future Meetings: The Committee decided to hold an Executive Session as part of its
January 15, 2013, meeting as the Committee did not go into the Executive Session that had
been planned for its January 4, 2013, meeting.
Member Concerns & Liaison Reports: Mr. Kanter provided updates in respect to projects
reviewed by this Committee at previous meetings:
• CPC: The $30,000 funding of the 5 -Year Open Space and Recreation Plan Update
will be from the CPC's Administrative Budget so it isn't expected to appear as a
separate project at the 2013 Annual Town Meeting.
• CPC: A review is being made to ensure all required conservation and historic
restrictions are either in place or will be developed.
• CPC: The proposed Hastings Park Gazebo Rehabilitation /Restoration project, which
is estimated to cost $30,000, would trigger full compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act; therefore, the Department of Public Works is revisiting its
application. Full compliance is likely to require on the order of $80,000.
• CPC: Town Counsel agrees the sub - surface drainage work contemplated in the
Lincoln Park Field Improvements project is eligible for funding under the Community
Preservation Act as it would be needed even if a grass surface were to be installed.
• Schools: The Town of Wellesley has a program requiring some students to have
iPads at their family's own expense.
Adjourn: A Motion was made and seconded at 10:02 A.M. to adjourn. Vote: 4 -0
These Minutes were approved by the CEC at its meeting on January 22, 2013.
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