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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-03-CCAC-min TOWNOFLEXINGTON AdhocCommunityCenterAdvisoryCommittee(AhCCAC) Minutes Date: December 3, 2013 Place and time: Cary Memorial Building, Estabrook Hall, 1:00 .. PM Members Present: Michelle Ciccolo, Chair; Mary Ellen Alessandro; Harry Forsdick; Laura Hussong; Leslie Zales Members Absent: Florence Koplow; Betty Borghesani Liaisons Present:Staff: Linda Vine, Vice Chair of AhCCAC, Town Manager’s Office; Charlotte Rodgers, Human Services; Karen Simmons, Recreation; Pat Goddard, Department of Public Facilities; Shawn Newell, Department of Public Facilities; Committees: Jon Himmel, Chair, Permanent Building Committee; Glenn Parker, Chair, Appropriation Committee; David Kanter for Beth Masterman, Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC); Deb Mauger for Norm Cohen, Board of Selectmen (BOS); Jessie Steigerwald, School Committee Liaisons Absent (liaisons only attend as-requested and as-available to address relevant agenda items):Staff: John Mazerall, Police Department; John Wilson, Fire Department; Chris Filadoro, Department of Public Works; Koren Stembridge, Library; Dorinda Goodman, Department of Information Technology Steffian Bradley Architects (SBA) Consultant Representatives: Teresa Wilson, Joe Sirkovich, Richard Berry Also present: Sheila Butts, staff, Recreation; Joe Pato, BOS; Mark Barrett, Department of Public Facilities; Kelly Axtell, Human Services; Bob Pressman, Community Preservation Committee Recording Secretary: Sara Arnold The meeting was called to order by Ms. Ciccolo at 8:05 .. AM 1.Opening Comments : Ms. Ciccolo announced that Ms. Mauger is attending as the Board of Selectmen liaison while Norm Cohen is unable to attend. Committee members introduced themselves. (Note: LexMedia was not present.) 2.Minutes: There was a motion and second to accept the Minutes for November 13, 14, 18, 19 and 22, 2013. The motion passed. VOTE: 5-0 It was noted that if any Minutes were approved and filed with the Town Clerk and then found to have an egregious error, they could be corrected and re-filed. 3.SBA December 3, 2013 PowerPoint Presentation—Phase 1: Ms. Wilson reviewed the current draft floor plans for Phase 1 renovations of the Community Center. She made the following points: There is room for a single shower on the basement floor. Based on previous discussions, the size of the Fix-It Shop has been increased. There was discussion about the room’s dimensions, the configuration of work tables, the two means of egress, the possibility of coordinating space for both the current Senior Center Fix-It Shop and a new bicycle shop, and the use of tools; tools used in the Fix-It Shop were purchased with funds from the Friends of the Council on Aging and donations. It was suggested that the Bicycle Advisory Committee be consulted about their needs. It was also suggested that if it is possible to break through the cement wall that separates the current Fix-It Shop location and the limited access areas in the mansion’s basement, it may be possible to construct a ramp that would improve access and thus expand the usable space in the basement. A moveable partition can be installed in the basement fitness room to increase flexibility. It was suggested that, when open, the partition be stacked on one side of the room rather than split between two sides. ACTION ITEM: SBA will provide measurements for stacking the partition. A window can be installed at one end of the basement fitness room to allow observation from a small room that might be used by a staff person. That room is currently identified for equipment storage. Storage areas are currently being designed by SBA. The first floor plans now show a door adjacent to the mansion stairs that allows access to a multi-purpose room. This will improve traffic flow. The first floor billiard room has space for two billiard tables. The areas identified for coffee, vending machines, and the Window Pane Kiosk are currently between the rotunda and the multi-purpose dining area. There was discussion about moving the kiosk to the other end of the dining area where there is storage. It was noted that vending machines need to be self-service. ACTION ITEM: SBA will re-visit the design of these areas. Suggestions were made, as follows: Traffic flow within the building needs to be evaluated and alternatives need to be explored. ACTION ITEMS: SBA will explore opportunities to improve stairway access between the floors. In addition to identifying quiet lounging areas, which may be used primarily by senior citizens, it is important to have some “non-quiet” lounging areas. Computer work stations should not block access to windows; windows are an attractive lounging area amenity. It was noted that there is a lot of interest in having space for computer training. There should be dimmable lights in some of the multi-purpose rooms. An area for special needs residents needs to be identified. ACTION ITEM: Ms. Alessandro will solicit comments from the Commission on Disability. 4.SBA December 3, 2013 PowerPoint Presentation—Phase 2: Ms. Wilson identified the kinds of spaces that have been identified for a Phase 2 expansion of the Community Center. This triggered discussion, as follows: A recently identified idea for a greenhouse to support gardening is listed, although it was recognized that this will likely be too costly. Ms. Mauger suggested that the Community Farming Committee be contacted if a greenhouse or gardening opportunities are going to be pursued. Ms. Mauger commented that this Committee may want to request input from the BOS regarding the inclusion of an emergency shelter. She noted that new police and fire stations are high priorities for the Town, and at least one of those buildings may include an emergency shelter. There was a motion, which was seconded, to ask the BOS for direction regarding the Community Center including an emergency shelter. The motion passed. VOTE: 5-0 It was agreed that lockers and showers should be included, the scale of which should be discussed further. In addition to the emergency access road, there should be a sidewalk. The drawing shows a curved road to avoid outcroppings. It was suggested that a recent study that evaluated the capacity of infiltration and detention basins in the area should be reviewed. This Committee is discussing a full gym option; some cost estimates need to be identified. Ms. Wilson presented options for locating a full gym, a half gym, a large multi-purpose room and/or a greenhouse. The impact on parking was discussed. It was suggested that occasional parking on grass areas would be acceptable if those areas were constructed with reinforcement materials. There was a motion and second to ask the BOS for assistance from a parking consultant. The motion passed. VOTE: 5-0 Some of the options for locating a gym and/or large multi-purpose room required demolishing the Carriage House. After discussing the feasibility of such an approach, it was agreed to focus on options that would leave the Carriage House intact and in its current location. 2 5.Next Meeting: The next meeting is on Monday, December 9, 2013 at 9:00 .. Plans for the December 14, AM 2013 Open House will be discussed. 6.Adjourn: There was a motion and second to adjourn the meeting at 3:12 .. PM These minutes were approved on December 12, 2013. Materials used at the meeting: Public Meeting Agenda, November 22, 2013, AhCCAC Lexington Community Center AhCCAC Public Meeting – December 3, 2013; PowerPoint prepared by SBA 3