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Home My WebLink About2022-02-23-AC-min RECEIVED 02/23/2022 AC Minutes 2022 21 II' aoi�, 152 p Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee (AC) 'ro'WN CLERK February 23, 2022 LEMNGTON MA Place and Time: Remote Participation: in accordance with Section 20 of Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 "An Act Relative to Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency", communication took place via a Zoom teleconferencing session that was open to the public; 7:30 p.m. Members Present: Glenn Parker, Chair; Sanjay Padaki, Vice-Chair; Alan Levine, Secretary; Anil Ahuja; John Bartenstein; Eric Michelson; Meg Muckenhoupt; Lily Manhua Yan Member(s)Absent: Carolyn Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager, Finance (non-voting, ex officio) Other Attendees: David Kanter, Capital Expenditures Committee liaison Mr. Parker called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m., reviewed the authorization for meeting remotely, and stated that the meeting was being recorded for the purpose of creating minutes. Announcements and Liaison Reports Mr. Padaki and Mr. Parker shared a reminder issued by Town Manager Jim Malloy that, according to Open Meeting Law regulations, committee deliberations should not occur before a posted meeting is called to order or after it is adjourned. Mr. Parker reported that Melissa Battite, Community and Recreation Programs Director, had notified him that water damage at the public golf course was greater than originally estimated. It is anticipated that this will trigger a Reserve Fund transfer request, which must be approved by this Committee. It is highly desirable to complete the repairs before the beginning of the golf season. There were questions about whether the Recreation Enterprise Fund would be able to eventually reimburse the General Fund. Mr. Parker and Mr. Levine provided an update on Article 25: Appropriate for Worthen Road Recreation and Education District Land Use Concept Plan (Citizen's Article). The Town has heard informally that the MSBA Board will vote on whether to offer an invitation to participate in the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA)process for receiving a State grant for building/renovating Lexington High School. The MSBA Board meets on March 2, when it is expected to vote on that invitation. The Select Board (SB)plans to meet with the School Committee on Thursday, March 9, to discuss whether to call a second special town meeting (STM)in order to present a warrant article for appropriating funds for a Lexington High School feasibility study, as required by the MSBA process. Jon Himmel, one of the proponents of Article 25, has indicated that if the MSBA process proceeds as now indicated, and if the SB supports funding a study that would cover the concerns identified in Article 25, Article 25 could be indefinitely postponed. Mr. Parker noted that this Committee's report should be published on March 21 and therefore approved on March 16. Uncertainties associated with Article 25 make it premature to write material for the report and/or vote on it at this time. Articles with Financial Implications for the 2022 Annual Town Meeting (ATM): Consent Agenda The following list of articles was reviewed in regard to this Committee's recommendation of approval and inclusion on the Consent Agenda: 1 02/23/2022 AC Minutes • Article 6: Senior Services Program • Article 10: Community Preservation Committee Operating Budget and CPA Projects: Sections (a), (c), (d), (g), (h), 0), (1), (m), (n) • Article 11: Recreation Capital Projects • Article 12: Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment; Sections: (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j) (k), (1), (m), (r), (s), (t) • Article 13: Water System Improvements • Article 14: Wastewater System Improvements • Article 15: School Capital Projects and Equipment • Article 16: Public Facilities Capital Projects: (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) • Article 17: Post Employment Insurance Liability Fund • Article 18: Rescind Prior Borrowing Authorizations • Article 20: Prior Years' Unpaid Bills • Article 22: Authorized Capital Improvements (if IP) • Article 23: Debt Service Stabilization Fund A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of the identified articles and to have them included on the ATM Consent Agenda. The motion was approved. VOTE: 8-0 Articles Not on the Consent Agenda with Financial Implications for the 2022-1 STM and the 2022 ATM The following 2022-1 STM Article was discussed, and a position was taken: • Article 2: Police Station Replacement: It was noted that the amount of the appropriation request may change, but this can be re-voted, if necessary. A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of this article. The motion was approved. VOTE: 8-0 The following 2022 ATM articles were discussed, with questions answered, and some clarifications provided. In some cases, positions were taken. It was noted that any of these articles can be re-visited if something changes. • Article 4: Appropriate FY2023 Operating Budget: A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of this article. The motion was approved. VOTE: 8-0 • Article 5: Appropriate FY2023 Enterprise Funds Budgets: More information is needed before voting. • Article 7: Appropriate for Climate Action Plan: A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of this article. The motion was approved. VOTE: 8-0 • Article 8: Appropriate for Comprehensive Plan Implementation: More information is needed before voting. • Article 9: Establish and Continue Departmental Revolving Funds: A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of this article. The motion was approved. VOTE: 8-0 • Article 10: Appropriate for The FY2023 Community Preservation Committee Operating Budget and CPA Projects (b)Wright Farm Barn Stabilization: A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of part (b) of this article. The motion was approved. VOTE: 8-0 (e) Center Playground Bathrooms and Maintenance Building Renovation: The design is being reconsidered, and it may be advisable to get more information about the location for a future new high school before proceeding with this project. Voting on this article was deferred. 2 02/23/2022 AC Minutes (f)Playground Improvements—Hard Court Surfaces: A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of part (f) of this article. The motion was approved. VOTE: 8-0 (i) Lincoln Park Master Plan: A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of part (i) of this article. The motion was approved. VOTE: 8-0 (k)LexHAB –16 Vine Street Construction Funds: Based on comments by Mr. Kanter about the uncertainties of current cost estimates, it was decided that more information is needed before voting. • Article 12: Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment (a)Hartwell District Signage (b) Townwide Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan (c) South Lexington and Forbes-Marrett Traffic Mitigation Plans (n)Battle Green Streetscape Improvements (o)Municipal Parking Lot Improvements (p)Public Parking Lot Improvement Program (q)New Sidewalk Installations A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of all items in Article 12 that are not included on the Consent Agenda, as identified immediately above. The motion was approved. VOTE: 8-0 • Article 16: Appropriate for Public Facilities Capital Projects (g)High School Equipment Emergency Funds: A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of part (g) of this article. The motion was approved. VOTE: 8-0 (h) Town Pool Water Heater Replacement: It was decided to defer voting on part (h) of Article 16 until more information is available about the energy source being recommended for the water heater. There was particular interest in learning the CEC's position on Article 16(h)before taking a position. • Article 17: Appropriate to Post Employment Insurance Liability Fund: A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of this article. The motion was approved. VOTE: 8-0 Minutes of Prior Meetings A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the February 16, 2022 meeting, as edited. The motion was approved. VOTE: 8-0 A motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 9:19 p.m. The motion was approved. VOTE: 8-0 All votes at this meeting were taken by roll call. Respectfully submitted, Sara Arnold Approved: March 9. 2022 Exhibits • Agenda, posted by Mr. Parker • Town of Lexington ATM Warrant, March 7, 2022 • Consent Agenda Items as approved at this meeting 3