HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-05-CCAC-min
TOWNOFLEXINGTON
AdhocCommunityCenterAdvisoryCommittee(AhCCAC)
Minutes
Date: March 5, 2014
Place and time: Estabrook Hall, Cary Memorial Building, 8:00 ..
AM
Members Present: Michelle Ciccolo, Chair; Mary Ellen Alessandro; Betty Borghesani; Laura Hussong; Jon
Himmel (Chair, Permanent Building Committee (PBC))
Members Absent: Harry Forsdick; Florence Koplow; Leslie Zales
Liaisons Present:Staff: Charlotte Rodgers, Human Services; Karen Simmons, Recreation; Committees: David
Kanter for Beth Masterman, Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC); Joe Pato for Norm Cohen, Board of
Selectmen (BoS); Glenn Parker, Chair, Appropriation Committee; Jessie Steigerwald, School Committee
Liaisons Absent (liaisons only attend as-requested and as-available to address relevant agenda items):Staff:
Linda Vine, Vice Chair of AhCCAC, Town Manager’s Office; Dorinda Goodman, Information Technology;
Shawn Newell, Department of Public Facilities (DPF); Chris Filadoro, Department of Public Works; Koren
Stembridge, Library; John Mazerall, Police Department;Chief John Wilson, Fire Department;
Steffian Bradley Architects (SBA) Consultant Representatives:Teresa Wilson, Richard Berry, Joe Sirkovich
Also present: Carl Valente, Town Manager; Rob Addelson, Asst. Town Manager for Finance; Pat Goddard,
staff, DPF; Nancy Adler, Chair, Council on Aging (COA) Board; Joel Adler, Town Meeting Member; Sheila
Butts, Recreation; Mark Barrett, Facilities; Bob Pressman, Community Preservation Committee (CPC);
George Gamota, Senior Center Computer & Technology group; Nathalie Rice, CPC staff; Dorothy Tatro,
Resident; Rita Sagalyn, Resident
Recording Secretary: Mark Barrett
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Ciccolo at 8:00 ..
AM
SBA presentation for March 5, 2014:
1. SBA Architects reviewed a power-point presentation that
outlined the work of the last several weeks of a working group evaluating and assessing two heating,
ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) options for the building project including life-cycle cost benefit
analysis. The two options were developed to address deficiencies in the building’s existing HVAC system that
were known but not originally considered capable of being done prior to initial occupancy. The two options
were very broadly defined as Option 1 consisting primarily of refurbishing existing boiler & chiller equipment,
and Option 2 considering the replacement of existing boiler & chiller equipment with new. Both options
provided for vastly improved ventilation consistent with the HVAC needs of the new program and energy
recovery. SBA contracted with Shawmut Design and Construction to perform constructability analysis and
value engineering. Energy modeling was completed by BR+A. Eight meetings were held, one jointly with the
Energy Conservation & Sustainable Lexington Committees to gain additional input.
The findings were defined as follows:
A. Implementing the project in 1 phase would only extend the schedule by 4-6 weeks.
B. Doing the work in a single phase actually would cost less than the prior two-phase approach. Capital costs
of two phases would add ±$382,000 hard cost dollars plus approximately another 30% in soft costs.
C. The existing building has good insulation qualities and improving this does not improve comfort or save
enough energy to justify the expense.
D. Replacing the chiller and boiler has a 27-year simple payback and is thus not recommended.
E. Recommended Budget Model for March 5, 2014, is $6,320,000.
F. Scheduling shows occupancy in the first week of March and further outlines numerous meetings that need
to take place with user groups to confirm plans.
G. Neither a generator (large or small) nor a manual transfer switch, for attaching a portable generator, are
currently included in the costs because the costs seem excessive.
H. Floor plans were reviewed to see where new equipment chases would be added to the plan to facilitate
implementing added HVAC-distribution equipment for improved ventilation. Added exterior elements were
also discussed.
Summary
Schedule impact of adding HVAC work into single-bid scope extends schedule 4-6 weeks.
Additional funding at March 24, 2014, Special Town Meeting (STM) would be $3,151,000 with
$100,000 from general fund for FF&E and transition costs, and $3,051,000 from the Community
Preservation Fund.
Opening Community Center is projected for first week of March 2015.
Mr. Pato inquired about rumors of very-high energy consumption at the building by the previous owners and
was surprised that the building was being reported as well insulated, and that our energy modeling showed no
gains by improving insulation. Mr. Goddard replied that the energy modeling was based upon the improved
system that we are planning to install and in consideration of the way in which we plan to operate the building.
We have no knowledge of how efficiently the prior owners operated their building.
Ms. Steigerwald expressed concern for the lack of a back-up generator and the arrival of that decision.
Mr. Goddard explained that much of the consideration is from a cost standpoint. There is significant cost to get
natural gas from the main building to power a new emergency generator aside the Carriage House, coupled
with the cost of the generator, automatic transfer switch, and re-designing the electrical panel for automatic
switch-over. That cost was not thought worthy given its projected use of, perhaps, once or twice a year.
Charlotte Rogers added that we do not cook food or store food in the kitchen.
Mr. Parker inquired about the $100,000 for FF&E and Transition Costs. Mr. Goddard replied that the original
budget was based upon the discussions of the Scottish Rite leaving behind furniture for Town use. In the end,
there was not a significant quantity of useable items and as such the budget line for FF&E was increased.
Additionally there had not been a line in the budget previously for moving and transition costs, which would
be needed to move the departments into the facility, thus funds were added for those expenses.
Mr. Parker inquired about the methodology for protecting the building from freeze ups and the like if we lost
power without having a generator. Mr. Goddard replied that the Facilities department has been successful in
preserving buildings and keeping the buildings maintainable for up to 5 days when power has been lost, and
when necessary bringing temporary services.
2. Review of draft letter to BoS summarizing recommendations.
A request was made to add the original STM funding amount to the letter to better clarify what exactly the
additional costs would be. Mr. Addelson reported that he may well include that figure in his budget
presentation to the various boards.
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There was continued discussion over the addition of back-up power or a manual transfer switch that would
allow connection of a portable generator. Some pointed out the importance of having some level of emergency
power available and some referenced that the existing Senior Center has survived since the mid-1980s without
an emergency generator. Mr. Goddard noted that the $250,000 figure presented for a manual transfer switch
was a surprise and that this number can be further evaluated to refine it, if possible, under the idea that a
standby generator is not currently part of the project and that the inclusion of a manual transfer switch
simplifies the connection of standby power when needed, after an initial event causing the power loss.
A Motion was made and seconded to forward the SBA presentation and AhCCAC recommendation letter of
March 5, 2014, to the next BoS meeting and to allow the Chair the discretion of making further edits, without
making a change of substance, as necessary per the discussion of additional incoming information on manual
transfer switches, and how that might be incorporated.
VOTE: Passed 5-0
3. Gymnasiums
In light of the lack of a gymnasium addition to the Community Center, Jon Himmel reminded the chair that
School Committee Liaison Jessie Steigerwald had previously made a recommendation that the AhCCAC make
a request of the BoS that they take up a dialogue with the School Committee on the policies of use and
availability of school gymnasium space for non-school use.
4. Senior Center Computer & Technology Group
Ms. Hussong introduced George Gamota, one of the organizers of the Senior Computer & Technology Group
that has expressed an interest in planning work for the Community Center as it relates to technology.
Mr. Gamota reviewed some of the group’s primary concerns for wiring and equipment, hard wiring,
wireless/WiFi, large meeting rooms, small meeting rooms, computer rooms, audio-visual (A/V) equipment and
the like. Mr Gamota agreed to share his notes through the Chair
.
Ms. Ciccolo outlined the intent to form a working group that would include Harry Forsdick (AhCCAC),
Dorinda Goodman (Town IT) and perhaps someone from the Facilities Department to review the myriad of
technology issues and requested Mr. Goddard’s thoughts on the issue. He replied saying that the Facilities
Department manages the Town A/V equipment so we would be involved, Town IT would handle computer
hardware, Ethernet, WiFi, and in the case of broadcasting, etc, the Communications Advisory Committee may
get involved as it relates to LexMedia. Mr. Goddard promised feedback to Ms. Ciccolo for the next meeting on
a Facilities person to help work on these issues.
Mr. Himmel requested that the Architect send a brief email to Mr. Goddard indicating the telephone/data
infrastructure currently in the building and currently in the bid documents.
5. User Group Meetings
SBA stated they would provide more clarity to user-group meeting needs, content, and schedule for discussion
at next meeting. These meetings are for confirmation; not new program.
6. Upcoming Meetings with possible discussion as currently known:
March 10, 2014 BoS Presentation
March 21, 2014 8:30 .., Estabrook Hall Use Policy Discussions
AM
March 26, 2014 8:30 ., Estabrook Hall Interior Design Review & Fundraising
AM
April 2, 2014 10:00 ., Estabrook Hall Technology
AM
April 7, 2014 1:00 .., Estabrook Hall Building Safety
PM
Meeting Adjourned:
A Motion was made and seconded at 9:28 .. to adjourn. VOTE: 5-0
AM
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Materials distributed/used at the meeting:
Public Meeting Agenda, March 5, 2014, AhCCAC
Lexington Community Center; AhCCAC Public Meeting – March 5, 2014; PowerPoint prepared by SBA
Draft AhCCAC letter of Recommendation to Board of Selectmen, March 5, 2014
Copy of memo from Norma Floyd to AhCCAC and COA
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