HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-18-CPC-min
Minutes of the Community Preservation Committee
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Parker Room, Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
4:00 pm
Committee Members Present:
Marilyn Fenollosa, Chair; Richard Wolk, Vice-Chair; Richard
Canale, David Horton, Jeanne Krieger
Bob Pressman was included by conference call.
Committee Members Absent:
Norman Cohen, Leo McSweeney, Sandy Shaw
Other Attendees:
David Kanter, Vice-Chair of the Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC);
Melissa Tintocalis, Economic Development Director, (joined the meeting at approximately
4:50 p.m.)
Kevin Batt, Town Counsel, joined the meeting at approximately 5:00 p.m. by conference call.
The meeting was called to order at 4:35 p.m.
1.Article 9: Property Purchase – 241 Grove Street (Article 9):
Ms. Fenollosa reported
that the Town Warrant wording for Article 9 is not broad enough to include the restoration that is
envisioned for the buildings at 241 Grove Street. The funding request is being reduced from
$755,000 to $618,000; i.e., a reduction of $140,000 for the cost of the restoration and an increase
of $3,000 to pay for immediate security measures and weatherproofing. It is anticipated that the
$140,000 will be requested at a fall Town Meeting; this amount may be increased to include
work on the barn that is also on the property.
A motion was made and seconded to support a funding request of $618,000 for Article 9. There
was a Roll Call Vote: 6-0
Ms. Fenollosa reported that the which will be
Wright Farm
he garage is in poor condition and is poorly placed on the property.
Additionally, LexHAB does not normally provide garages with its housing units. There is
adequate parking to the right of the house without the garage
A motion was made and seconded to support the demolition of the garage at 241 Grove Street,
assuming Town Meeting approval of Article 9. Roll Call Vote: 6-0
2. Article 8: Appropriate the FY2016 Community Preservation Committee Operating
Budget and CPA Projects;p) Grain Mill Alley Design Funds (Article 8 (p)):
(Ms. Fenollosa
reported that the CEC is not supporting Article 8 (p) and the Board of Selectmen has expressed
concerns. She suggested that Article 9 (p) could include some field testing of designs with some
low-cost, non-permanent plantings and benches; this would provide residents with an opportunity to
experience how this area might better serve Lexington center. Although this Committee expressed
general support for this concept, Mr. Kanter questioned whether such purchases would be
considered a capital expenditure and whether CPA funding could be used for such materials.
Ms. Tintocalis joined the meeting, and Mr. Batt was contacted by phone. There was discussion
about the lack of a contract between the owners of Grain Mill Alley and the Town. Ms. Tintocalis
noted that the owners want to see a design before they sign a contract, even if the contract includes
an option to not proceed if a design is not acceptable. Mr. Batt agreed that CPA funds in a small
amount ($1,500 was referenced) could be used for field testing temporary amenities as part of
developing a design, but he stressed the need for something in writing from the owners before
spending Town financial resources on private land.
After completing the conversation with Mr. Batt, a motion was made and seconded to support the
inclusion of field testing temporary materials as part of Article 8 (p) if an appropriate agreement can
be reached with the owners of Grain Mill Alley. There was a Roll Call Vote: 6-0
th
It was agreed that if there isn’t an agreement with the property owners by April 6, it may be
necessary to indefinitely postpone Article 9 (p). Ms. Tintocalis said she would pursue this issue the
next day.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
The documents used at the meeting are listed below.
Respectfully submitted,
Sara Arnold
Recording Secretary
Approved______________________
Exhibits
1. CPC Agenda for March 18, 2015
2. Revised Writeup for Article 9, Wright Farm Purchase, from Report to Annual Town Meeting
3. Revised Writeup for Article 8(p) Grain Mill Alley Design Funds, from Report to Annual Town
Meeting