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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-08-CPC-min Minutes of the Community Preservation Committee Thursday, November 8, 2012, 2:00 pm Legion Room Cary Memorial Building Present: Board Members: Wendy Manz,Chair, Joel Adler, Norman Cohen, Jeanne Krieger, Leo McSweeney, Sandy Shaw, Betsey Weiss, Dick Wolk. Administrative Assistant : Nathalie Rice Also in attendance were David Kanter of the Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) and Town resident, Robert Pressman. The meeting was called to order at 2:06 pm. by Ms. Manz. 1.Approval of the Minutes – A vote was taken (8-0) to approve theminutes from the meeting of October 25, 2012. 2.Brief Discussion of FY 14 Projects: a.)Conservation Restriction Funds for Wright Farm, $5,000 –Karen Mullins, Director of Community Development requested that the CPC authorize $5,000 for a Conservation Restriction (CR) on the Wright Farm, a land purchase approved by the 2012 Town Meeting. Ms. Mullins confirmed that Lexington has applied for a state LAND grant of $400,000 to be applied to this purchase, and stated that the application for this grant required that a CR be in place. Using CPA administrative funds for this purpose, rather than making a separate request at the Spring 2013 Town Meeting, will allow the CR to go into effect in time for the grant application. . The Town has selected Citizens for Lexington Conservation (CLC) as the entity to hold and monitor CRs. CLC will also hold CRs for the other five parcels purchased with CPA funds. Ms. Mullins’ FY 14 application (for $25,000) covers payments for five CRs, but does not include funding for a CR for the Busa property, which will require one once use and area designations are finalized. After a brief discussion, the CPC voted (8-0) to authorize the use of $5,000 from the CPC administrative budget payable to CLC for the holding and monitoring of the CR for Wright Farm. b.)Buckman Tavern – Ms. Manz explained that the Historical Society has held off on the submittal of its application for the renovations to the Buckman Tavern, due to concerns raised by the Town Manager’s Office about adherence to State procurement laws. The Committee voted (8-0) to keep the application period open indefinitely for the Historical Society, pending resolution of matters with the Town. c.)Belfry Hill and Visitor Center Signs, $3,000 – At the CPC’s meeting of st November 1, the Committee received a request from project Applicant Dawn McKenna, Chair of the Tourism Committee, to use funds in an 1 existing “Historic Signs” appropriation approved by Town Meeting in 2007 (Art. 26(i)). She stated that she wished to use approximately $2,500 of the remaining $6,000 to fabricate three signs - two for the Visitor Center and one for Buckman Tavern. She said the project description as submitted in 2007 would apply to the manufacture of the new signs, without any amendments to the project application. The Committee discussed this request and voted (8-0) to authorize Ms. McKenna to fabricate the three signs out of the Historic Signs budget with a not to exceed figure of $3,000. She will continue to move ahead on the fabrication of the last “storytelling” sign, slated for completion in April of 2013. Ms. McKenna does not yet have a definite budget for this final sign. As a result of the CPC’s vote, Ms. McKenna formally withdrew the Tourism Committee’s FY14 application for the fabrication of three historic signs. 3.Policies Related to Land Acquisition, Letter to the Board of Selectmen – The CPC discussed whether to send a letter to the Board of Selectmen stating the Committee’s desire for consideration of each of the four CPA purposes when the Town purchases parcels of land. At the November 1 meeting, Ms. Manz had submitted a draft of the letter which stated that the CPC would amend its application form to require an indication from the Selectmen that they had encouraged and considered input on all the CPA purposes before designating a purpose for the land acquisition. Ms. Manz stated that she had received input on this draft strongly objecting to its perceived instructions to the Board of Selectmen. She stated that she was willing to send a milder letter, which did not amend the application form, and she distributed an amended draft of the letter. Ms. Weiss also submitted an amended draft of the original letter. She expressed her concern that of the 38.98 acres of open space purchased in the last 5 years with CPA funds, only 1.1 acres had been devoted to affordable housing. She urged the Committee to write a more detailed letter to the BOS, suggesting that a advocates for all four CPA interests (recreation, affordable housing, historic preservation, and conservation) be given an opportunity for formal comment prior to designation of uses for parcels of CPA-funded land. After some discussion, Mr. Cohen made a motion to send the Board of Selectmen the draft letter submitted by Ms. Manz. This motion was seconded and approved (6-2). Ms. Manz reminded the Committee that it only has authority to comment on project applications, not to amend them. Ms. Weiss asked for a vote on her edits to the original draft, which failed to receive Committee support (3-4-1), with Ms. Manz abstaining. Ms. Manz will send the amended letter to the BOS. 4.Hastings Park Gazebo Repairs, $30,000 – David Pinsonneault, Manager of Operations for DPW, presented this project for the rehabilitation of the gazebo in Hastings Park. He explained that the Gazebo receives a great deal of use from community groups, and that it has deteriorated over time. It needs new rails, bollards, stairs and renovations to its electrical system. He noted that the gazebo is located in a Historic District and that the HDC had approved the proposed renovations. Mr. Adler noted that the CPC cannot approve projects which are maintenance, but Mr. Pinsonneault stated that the replacement of the bollards, 2 stairs and rails were capital improvements. Mr. Adler also asked about the possibility of using composite materials which might be more weather resistant. Ms. Manz noted the need for a better sound system in the gazebo itself, especially for carolers. In response to a question from David Kanter of the Capital Expenditures Committee, Mr. Pinsonneault said he would increase the contingency line in the budget from $1,000 to $2,000. Mr. Pinsonneault will submit a revised application to the CPC. 5.Park and Playground Improvements, $147,500 – Chris Filadoro, Superintendent of Public Grounds, spoke to this recreation project; he was accompanied by Karen Simmons, the Director of Recreation. Mr. Filadoro explained that the project proposed by the Recreation Department included the replacement of the rubber surface on the playground at Lincoln Park ($70,000) and the acquisition and installation of improvements to the Skate Park on Worthen Road ($77,500). Ms. Simmons explained that the rubber playground surface at Lincoln Park was a capital improvement, and that the new surface would be poured in place. It would have a 10-year warranty, she noted, as compared to the 5-year warranty on the present surface. Ms. Weiss asked that the record reflect the fact that these improvements would “be off-loaded” from the tax levy. Mr. Kanter asked Ms. Simmons and Mr. Filadoro to use fiscal year dollars for their projections for future years for this project. The application indicates that CPA funds will be sought for FY15 through FY18, at $65,000 per year. 6.Park Improvements – Athletic Fields, $65,000 – Mr.Filadoro also addressed this project on behalf of the Recreation Department, stating that it was a multi- year capital project to address safety and playability concerns. He said the FY14 request was for the renovation of the baseball field at Sutherland Park. The infield of the baseball field will be reconstructed, adding proper drainage and a safer playing surface. Mr. Kanter asked Mr. Filadoro to specify the type of turf involved and the portion of the work to be covered by CPA funds, since the CPC cannot authorize the use of CPA funds for the acquisition of synthetic turf. 7.Lincoln Park Field Improvements, $150,000 – Mr. Filadoro and Ms. Simmons explained that this request is for drainage work associated with a larger capital project for the renovation of Field 1 at Lincoln Park. The capital project is for the replacement of the synthetic turf on Field 1, but Ms. Simmons said they were aware of the fact that CPA funds cannot be used for the acquisition of the actual turf material. Work under the CPA request would only be for the inspection of the subsurface area, the repair of any drainage problems, and the rehabilitation of the walkways surrounding sections of the field. Ms. Rice added that Ms. Simmons had also asked whether removal costs of the old synthetic turf was CPA-eligible. Relative to the work at the edges of the field, Mr. Wolk asked that the Conservation Commission be notified of any areas where such work was within the wetland buffer and might necessitate a wetlands permit. Ms. Simmons replied that the 3 proposed project had already been discussed with the Conservation Department. In response to a question from resident Bob Pressman, Ms. Simmons explained that the current surface was exhibiting wear and that its warranty would soon expire. The Committee asked her to address the issue of warranty vs. “usable life”, since it did not seem necessary to replace the surface if it did not pose a safety risk. Ms. Simmons explained that the current synthetic turf presently did not present a safety risk, but did have signs of degradation. She said “crumb rubber” had been put down in sections where the use was particularly noticeable, but that this was a temporary measure. The new surface proposed for Field 1 would have a 10-year warranty, compared to the 5-year warranty of the current surface. Mr. McSweeney stated that he felt Lincoln Park was “tremendously successful”, but noted that lack of parking is an issue. He questioned whether additional parking spaces could be created as part of the FY14 project. Ms. Simmons said that 300 spaces had been in the initial design, but that due to neighborhood concerns, the total had been reduced to 100 spaces. As part of their presentation, the Recreation Department noted that similar requests would be made for CPA funding in FY15 and FY16 for the rehabilitation of Fields 2 and 3. 8.Review of Project Applications by Various Boards and Committees – Ms. Rice noted that the FY14 applications for historic preservation funds will be sent to the Historical Commission for comment. Applications are typically sent to the Planning Board as well. Mr. Wolk asked that the Conservation Commission be included on this list. 9.Upcoming Meetings – The next scheduled meeting of the CPC will be thth November 15, followed by one on the 29. The Committee decided that projects can be presented to the Town at the Town Meeting Members Association meeting prior to Town Meeting. CPC members felt there was little reason to have a CPC hearing for the projects since such hearings are not required by the statute and have been poorly attended in the past. The Needs Assessment Public Hearing, th is which required by the statute, was tentatively scheduled for December 19 at 7:00 pm. The Committee will seek a warrant article to make a change to the CPA Town By-law so that this hearing does not have to be held annually. This hearing has also been poorly attended. 10.Greeley Village Entrance Door Project, $190,734 – Steve Keane, the Director for the Lexington Housing Authority met with the CPC to request $190,734 in funds for the purchase of front doors at Greeley Village. The project involves the replacement of 25 entrance doors and their associated flooring and doorbells. The doors are 40 years old, and many allow water to infiltrate the front doorway area during heavy storms. Mr. Keane explained that the Housing Authority would also be seeking funding for the project from the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) which would consider contribution to the project costs once the project was approved for CPA funding. This may reduce 4 CPA costs by 10 to15% of the project costs. Mr. Keane said he is usually informed of the award of a DHDC grant prior to Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Keane was questioned about the status of previous CPA-funded projects, including Drainage Improvements for Vynebrook Village ($364,800) and the Accessible Housing Project at Greeley Village ($810,673). He explained that the Drainage project is in the permitting stage, and that the Accessible Units project has yet to be commenced. Mr. Cohen asked whether the Housing Authority could put off the FY14 project, given the number of projects they would be undertaking in the coming year. Mr. Keane stressed the importance of replacing the doors, a fact that was attested to by Mr. McSweeney. 11.ACROSS Lexington – Pedestrian/Bicycle Route System, $5,875 –Keith Ohmart (Chair) and Rick Abrams of the West Lexington Greenways Committee presented an initiative to create 35 miles of pedestrian and bicycle routes throughout Lexington. Mr. Ohmart explained that the ACROSS Lexington proposal envisions linking conservation trails, bikeways and sidewalks to create a series of linear and looped trails throughout the Town. A 3.5 mile “Pilot Loop” has already been completed with help from the Conservation Commission and the MIS Departments. Mr. Ohmart said the Greenways Committee is hoping to expand upon this initial loop, and formalize it with trail markers, maps and brochures. Mr. Ohmart explained that the application sought funding for a GIS Map consultant, a Graphic Design consultant (for a website, maps and brochures), Route Marking materials and Collateral Materials (maps and brochures). He said he expected the project to take 2-3 years and noted that the Greenways Committee anticipated applying for $5,875 in the next two consecutive fiscal years. Mr. Ohmart said the proposed three-year project was considered “Step 1”; he envisioned that signs might eventually contain barcodes from which historical information could be accessed. Mr. Kanter questioned whether the project application could be combined into a single year, given the modest funding request. Mr. Ohmart and Mr. Abrams felt there would be merit to this idea, though they did not feel they could accomplish all three year’s work in one year. After discussion by the CPC, it was agreed that the applicant could submit a revised application to seek funding for the entire project in FY 14. The meeting was adjourned at 4:12 pm. Respectfully submitted, Nathalie Rice Administrative Assistant Community Preservation Committee 5