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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-24-CPC-minMinutes of the Community Preservation Committee Thursday, January 24, 2013, 2:00 pm Ellen Stone Room Cary Memorial Building, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue Present: Committee Members: Wendy Manz, Chair; Joel Adler, Norman Cohen, Marilyn Fenollosa, Vice Chair; Bob Pressman, Sandra Shaw, and Dick Wolk. Administrative Assistant: Nathalie Rice Also in attendance was David Kanter of the Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC). The meeting was called to order at 2:07 pm. by Ms. Manz. 1. Updates on FY14 CPA Project Applications a.) Hastings Park Gazebo — Ms. Manz informed the Committee that Rob Addelson, Assistant Manager for Finance, had advised her that the Hastings Park Gazebo application will be resubmitted as a request for $15,000 for Design and Engineering funds. This will enable David Pinsonneault, Director of Operations, to accurately estimate the construction costs needed to make the Gazebo ADA compliant. (This decision was revisited later in the meeting, see Final Votes [b] ). b.) Lexington Center Pocket Park and Alley Design Project — An estimate of legal fees for this project has been received from Town Counsel, Kevin Batt. Mr. Batt estimates that each contract with associated property owners will cost approximately $5,750. There was some discussion as to whether this cost could be paid by the Board of Selectmen's legal budget. c.) 5 -Year Open Space Plan Update — The funding for the Update will come from the Administrative Budget. Town Counsel's opinion on this project is that it should be paid from the Administrative budget, since it does not involve a specific acquisition but applies to a range of future projects in need of CPA funding. d.) LexHAB Set -Aside Funds — Ms. Manz will update the Guidelines which the CPC drafted for LexHAB's use of CPA funding. The Guidelines presently lack specific reference to restrictions required on all CPA - funded affordable housing acquisitions. Members will have an opportunity to comment on this change when the Draft CPC Report to Annual Town Meeting is circulated for review. Nadie Rice reported that LexHAB has $85,000 in FY12 funds left over from the purchase of 1 Wilson Road; it has not yet spent any FY 13 monies, and with the FY14 appropriation, it will have $985,000 available in CPA funding for the construction or acquisition of community housing. After discussion of LexHAB's reserve of CPA funds, members voted 6 -1 to reaffirm approval of the $450,000 in FY14 funds but specified that they be used for the construction of community housing on either the Leary or Busa properties. 2. Final Votes on FY14 Project Applications a.) LexHAB Set -Aside Funds — A revote was taken on this project with the provision noted earlier regarding the use of FY14 CPA funds. The CPC voted 6 -1 to approve the project. (An earlier vote, with a full Committee was 8 -1.) b.) Hastings Park Gazebo Project Removed from Consideration — There was considerable discussion of this project. The CPC felt the issue of ADA compliance had not been fully investigated and members were hesitant to fund the request for designs funds for this reason. A motion was made and seconded to remove the project from the list of those being sent to Town Meeting for consideration. The motion was approved 7 -0; the project will be not recommended to Town Meeting. c.) Lexington Center Pocket Park Design and Ancillary Costs — Melisa Tintocalis, Director of Economic Development was present for the discussion and voting of this project. She explained Town Counsel's basis for his estimate of the legal work for each parcel.The break down is as follows for a total cost of $5,750 per parcel: drafting and negotiating contract, $1,350; reviewing title and conducting due diligence work, $1,700; drafting and negotiating contract and other closing documents, $1,300; preparing for and completing closing, $1,400. It was decided that completing one park at a time would be most appropriate, starting with the "Grain Mill Alley ". A revised cost estimate of $21,500 (including approximately $11,500 in legal costs) was discussed and approved by a vote of 6 -1. 3. Member Concerns - Bob Pressman asked when the CPC would have access to the appraisals for 33 Marrett Road, noting that it was difficult to take final votes on projects when such a large FY14 project remained undefined. Ms. Manz replied that the CPC was waiting for word from the Board of Selectmen on the status of negotiations. Mr. Kanter noted that the CEC had asked the Board of Selectmen to determine the CPA eligible portions of the property, adding that it was not expected that the entire property could be funded with CPA funds. The CPC discussed the impact of the possible acquisition of 33 Marrett Road on other FY14 projects such as the Cary Memorial Building Upgrades and the Muzzey Senior Center. 4. Future Meetings — The next two CPC meetings were tentatively set for February 27 and March 6 both at 2:00 pm. The following documens was presented at the meeting: 1. FY14 CPC Project List —Straw Votes and Final Votes, dated 012313. The meeting was adjourned at 3:45 pm. Respectfully submitted, Nathalie Rice Administrative Assistant Community Preservation Committee 2