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Minutes of the
Lexington Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) Meeting
November 17, 2015
Town Office Building, Reed Room, 7:30 ..
Location and Time:
AM
Jill Hai, Chair; David Kanter, Vice-Chair & Clerk; Elizabeth Barnett;
Members Present:
Rod Cole; Wendy Manz
None
Members Absent:
Joe Pato, Chair, Board of Selectmen (BoS); Bill Hurley, Vice-Chair,
Others Present:
School Committee (SC); Judy Crocker, SC; Aaron Henry, Planning Director; Rob Addelson,
Assistant Town Manager for Finance; Bob Pressman, Community Preservation Committee;
Elaine Ashton, Town Meeting Member; Sara Arnold, Recording Secretary
Documents Presented:
Notice of Public Meeting for CEC Meeting, November 17, 2015
Multiple School Project Costs Worksheet; Update 11-11, prepared by Finance
Department
15-11-05 Pelham Road Test Fit Options, with pros and cons, prepared by DiNisco
Design Partners
Proposed Space SummaryÄElementary Schools
Planning DepartmentÈs Updated FY2017ÃFY2021 Capital Improvement Projects
(CIPs) #980 and #981
Planning DepartmentÈs responses to CEC questions/requests regarding PlanningÈs
FY2017ÃFY2021 CIPs #980 and #981
Draft Lexington CEC Subject Areas & Liaison Assignments for Fiscal Year 2016,
November 17, 2015
Draft #1 CEC Report to 2 November 2015 Special Town Meeting (STM) #1
Board of Selectmen FY2017 Budget Hearings Schedule
Draft CEC Minutes for September 16, 2015
Draft #5 CEC Minutes for October 20, 2015
Draft #3 CEC Minutes for October 23, 2015
Draft #5 CEC Minutes for October 27, 2015
Draft #4 CEC Minutes for October 30, 2015
Draft #4 CEC Minutes for November 3, 2015
Draft CEC Minutes for November 12, 2015 (Summit II)
Ms. Hai called the meeting to order at 7:31 ..
Call to Order:
AM
There
Updates on Information regarding the Multiple School Construction Projects:
was discussion with members of the SC and BoS about the rapidly changing dynamics
associated with the multiple school projects being considered by the Town. The lack of
specificity impacts the ability of this Committee to provide a written report to the STM #1
nd
prior to December 2, when that STM is scheduled to reconvene and address Articles
associated with the school projects.
A motion was made and seconded to request the BoS delay reconvening the STM #1 for
thth
deliberations until December 7 or 9.
Vote:5Ã0
Discussion ensued, touching on the history associated with the current need for additional
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Minutes of the Lexington Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) Meeting
November 17, 2015
capacity at all school levels, general costs associated with a variety of options for
increasing school capacity, the impact those options could have on current education
policies, and the impact such increases could have on the taxpayer. It was generally
agreed that this Committee needs to have a better understanding of what the motion will be
for STM #1, Article 2: Appropriate for School Facilities Capital Projects, before this
Committee can further discuss its position regarding the Article.
Ms. Manz departed at 8:32 ..
AM
Presentation of Planning DepartmentÈs Revised CIPs for Consideration in the
Mr. Henry discussed the revised CIPs
CommitteeÈs FY2017ÃFY2021 Capital Program:
and responded to this CommitteeÈs previously asked questions, as follows:
Hartwell Avenue Area Transportation Improvements (#980): The FY2017 funding
request for $75,000 is for designing a road-crossing system that allows pedestrians
to cross BedfordStreet at the corner of EldredStreet. The design work would
determine the future funds that would be needed to pursue construction. Funding is
anticipated from fee revenue generated by new development in the Hartwell Avenue
Transportation Overlay District; a current development project is expected to
generate $262,000 by FY2017, some of which would be used to fund this project.
This project is a component of a larger plan that has been submitted to the State for
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) funding. Various components of the plan
have been pursued by the Town as separate projects.
Traffic Mitigation (#981): This request is part of the response to Town Meeting's
adoption of a resolution under Article 45 at the 2015 Annual Town Meeting, which
asked that Town-wide pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements be a priority. The
funds requested in this CIP would be used for studies and potential
small-construction projects that are brought to the attention of the Town during the
year.
Committee Comment: Mr. Kanter noted that this CIP needs context.
Mr. Kanter expressed his opinion that both of these CIPs should be carried by the
Department of Public Works (DPW), because that department would be responsible for
implementation. Mr. Henry noted that the project currently requires considerable
coordination by the Planning Department, and DPW does not currently have the staffing
bandwidth to carry the projects. He added that the Planning Department plays a unique role
in managing these projects, and during the planning process, these projects are
coordinated interdepartmentally. DPW will manage the project when it moves into the
construction phase. Mr. Addelson commented that this is a management issue.
Member Concerns and Liaison Reports:
The liaison assignments were reviewed; it was agreed to add to the listing Mr. ColeÈs liaison
to the SC.
Mr. Kanter reminded the Committee that everyone at the last Budget Summit was asked to
provide feedback on what had been presented there as the plan for revenue set-asides for
designated purposes.
Ms. Hai suggested that there may be questions at the next Budget Summit about the use of
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Minutes of the Lexington Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) Meeting
November 17, 2015
the Capital Stabilization Fund to help mitigate the costs associated with the School
Buildings capital projects.
Mr. Kanter reported that the BoS will be holding departmental-budget hearings on
ththth
November 30, December 4 and December 7. Members of this Committee may wish to
attend.
Approval of Minutes:
A Motion was made and seconded to approve the Draft CEC Minutes for
September 16, 2015, as presented. (Ms. Barnett was absent and so
Vote: 3Ã0Ã1
abstained
.)
A Motion was made and seconded to approve the Draft #5 CEC Minutes for
October 20, 2015, as presented. (Mr. Cole was absent and so abstained.)
Vote:3Ã0Ã1
A Motion was made and seconded to approve the Draft#3 CEC Minutes for
October 23, 2015, as presented.
Vote: 4Ã0
A Motion was made and seconded to approve the Draft #5 CEC Minutes for
October 27, 2015, as presented. (Mr. Cole was absent and so abstained.)
Vote:3Ã0Ã1
A Motion was made and seconded to approve the Draft #4 CEC Minutes for
October 30, 2015, as presented.
Vote: 4Ã0
A Motion was made and seconded to approve the Draft #4 CEC Minutes for
November 3, 2015, as presented.
Vote: 4Ã0
A Motion was made and seconded to approve the Draft CEC Minutes for
November 12, 2015 (Summit II), as presented. (Ms. Barnett was absent and
Vote:3Ã0Ã1
so abstained.)
A Motion was made and seconded at 9:11 .. to adjourn.
Adjourn:Vote: 4Ã0
AM
These Minutes were approved by the CEC at its meeting on January 5, 2016.
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