HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-03-SBFRC-min Ad Hoc Stone Building Feasibility/Reuse Committee RECEIVED
Town of Lexington, MA 2021 20 11Mov, 4,��02 Ipii7"i
November 3, 20217:30 AM TOWN CLERK
LEXINGTON MA
MINUTES
Attending: Cristina Burwell, Jeff Howry, Mark Manasas, Meg Muckenhoupt (Appropriations Comm.
Liaison), Melinda Nasardinov, Paul Smyke, Carolyn Goldstein, Jacelyn Anderson , Anne Grady, Suzie
Barry (Cary Library Trustees Liaison),
Absent: Doug Lucente (Select Board Liaison), Lester Savage
Guests: Elaine Ashton, Stephanie Hsu
Recording Secretary: Cristina Burwell
The meeting began at 7:38 with an online Roll Call & Reading of Statement on Use of Virtual
Meetings.
Minutes were put on hold for review and approval at the next meeting. There were no public
comments.
OLD BUSINESS
Carolyn & Melinda talked through the highlights of the history museum focus group, and are
working on a document to submit to the group on the details of the meeting. There were about 40
people in attendance, including community history stakeholders and those who already submitted a
proposal. Discussion revolved around fleshing out concepts and what it would mean in the Stone
Building, and explored a history museum in a hybrid mode (mixed use). There was also feedback on
the committee's process, suggesting that we should be focusing on the broader vision rather than a
specific one. There was interest in the concept, but it was/is hard to imagine the actual space usage
from only the floorplans.
Cristina is interested to see the Committee explore related structures and how they use the building
(business model, programming). She has drafted a case studies spreadsheet to collect examples
and asked SBRF committee members to send her what they find, for the Committee to review.
Cristina asked about sending out this online spreadsheet if members only had View access vs. Edit
access (thereby seeing updates in real time). Suzie said she would ask Town Council if this violated
Open Meeting Law. And in the meantime, a static copy will be sent to members to review as a PDF.
It was requested that we develop language to guide us in looking for case studies (e.g., similar scale,
or similar programming), and It was decided that we should be looking at a range of models - with
the net cast wide to loosely related structures (such as the Simes House which also provides
affordable housing) such that we might serendipitously find related models. It was also requested
1
that Committee members review the spreadsheet to identify other/different columns for what
information to collect on the structures (i.e., visitation, square footage, etc.) for comparison.
The intercultural center focus group has drafted a follow-up questionnaire, and will be working
with the organizers of the history museum so that these both can be done in concert.
NEW BUSINESS
Mark reviewed our online poll that created a different (earlier) meeting time, as this was changed
per the interest of Claire who has now retired from her liaison role. The former time appears to be
better for those in attendance, and Jeff will be reaching out to Lester to confirm (Doug and Lester
now have conflicts with another Town committee that meets on Wednesday mornings).
Mark has sent out an online poll to identify a time for this committee to meet and discuss broader
visioning for the Stone Building in a more fulsome way than as a brief meeting agenda item.
Committee members were requested to reply to that ASAP.
Jeff sent out a letter to the Select Board indicating that the SBFR Committee would not be finished
their work in September, per its charge, but was working to have a report out in January. Suzie
suggested that the Committee make an ask of the Select Board to amend its charge, and include
narrative to say where we are in the process, and where we want to be. It was discussed that
perhaps the amendment be requested such that it gives us more time, given that the work of the
committee was not known when the charge was set up.
The SBFR Committee discussed the Library Board of Trustees motion that was passed last month -
the vote was 9 yes/1 abstention (Claire).
"After careful consideration, the Cary Memorial Library Board has decided not to proceed with the
reestablishment of a municipally funded library branch in the Stone Building and encourages the Ad
Hoc Stone Building Feasibility/Re-use Committee to pursue other options as put forth in the Stone
Building deed."
It was noted that the Trustees did not comment on any of the other uses for the building that Jeff
had presented at this meeting last month. While it seems as though this response was a comment
on the use of library finances and budget, it was not clear to the Committee either how the Trustees
were defining "library" in this case, or what it actually is that they are interested in.
It was commented on that it appears as though the Trustees are washing their hands of any financial
responsibility for the building, and similarly suggested that we need to respect this direction - as it
was previously projected when the library director attended an earlier SBFR. Additional comments
by committee members fell around the need to focus on the community's interests first, and to
consider all sorts of possibilities to find out where connections might be. It was also suggested that
a "21st century library" might look completely different and something that we might ultimately be
helping to define.
2
Jeff presented an updated cost estimate for the purpose of informing the Select Board and the
public about what the costs would be to rehabilitate the building. He has based numbers
(estimates) on his experience, and is looking to get more information from Facilities. Suzie indicated
that the Committee is not to use Town staff resources without permission.
The committee adjourned at 8:44am, as motioned by Melinda, seconded by Mark and approved
unanimously.
3