HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-05-SBFRC-min RECEIVED
Ad Hoc Stone Building Feasibility/Reuse Committee 2022 01 Juin, 1233 Ipin't
TOWN CLERK
Town of Lexington, MA
LexwcToru MA
May 5, 2022 8:00 AM
MINUTES
Attending: Jaclyn Anderson, Cristina Burwell,Jeff Howry, Meg Muckenhoupt (Appropriations Comm.
Liaison), Melinda Nasardinov, Paul Smyke (left 8:30), Anne Grady, Carolyn Goldstein, Lester Savage
(left 9:22), Doug Lucente (Select Board Liaison)
Absent: Suzie Barry (Cary Library Trustees Liaison), , Mark Manasas
Guests: Elaine Ashton,Janel Showalter, Rosemary Trowbridge (later)
Recording Secretary: Cristina Burwell
The meeting began at 8:07 with an online Roll Call & Reading of the Statement on Use of Virtual
Meetings. Minutes for April 7th were presented with modifications from Jeff and Carolyn's notation
that the committee dispatched Cristina & Meg to edit and lead the process. The minutes were
unanimously approved with amendments, as motioned by Jackie and seconded by Anne.
Minutes for April 27 8am & 7:30pm (public forum) were approved unanimously as motioned by
Melinda and seconded by Carolyn. Paul & Les noted that they were not able to attend the full forum.
There were no general announcements or public comments.
SLIDE DECK - Melinda reviewed the slide deck, which was not changed since the forum. The
committee discussed changes to be made for presenting to the Library Board of Trustees.
• Not sure Library Trustees are familiar with the building, so suggestion to provide background
information
• Request to end with an ask - what the group sees as their relationship to the building and to
our recommendations. Would like to evoke a discussion that includes identification of what
will change so that we don't have another 15 years of an unoccupied building
• Jeff indicated that he asked for 10 minutes on the Trustees agenda for presentation and 5-10
minutes for questions.
• Request for 4th conclusion slide that addresses feasibility, with our conclusion that more
research is needed on the models we have found, and possible tenants. Interest in making the
point that there are options and possibilities, and it is premature at this stage to nail those
down (and that there is work to be done). This could read as the private/public partnership has
to be explored and defined.
Question about CPA funding being a conclusion, or broadly wrapped up in what the
coordinator would be doing. Noted that this is under Conclusion 1 (restoration needs to begin
immediately). This needs to be put in the hands of someone with authority, which the SBFRC
does not.
1
It was mentioned that Facilities did not have fungible monies for updating the report, but also
that what is there might be good enough to start - with the need to review with HDC and DRT,
and then getting architect to develop theoretical schematics (not generally agreed on by the
committee, noting upgrade of the code to be considered, etc.).
• Request for Carolyn to present because of how well she has been able to articulate the vision
and the findings and goals, as well as her thoughtful way to engage with people as
demonstrated through conversations with potential partners around town
• Request for a strong connection in slides to what need we are filling in the community (vis a
vis community surveys such as LexNext, etc.)
• SBFRC did not review last 5 slides, and comments should be sent directly to Melinda (on
Saturday)
• Request for slide that the building is a national treasure (effectively saying that it is a national
Landmark in historic preservation terms) and pursuing national landmark status could be one of
our conclusions
MEETING GOALS - The SBFRC reviewed their goals for the meeting with the Library Trustees.
o Getting folks up to speed with where we are and the importance of the meeting
o Setting up the conversation of Trustees relationship to the building and our vision -
even if it is leaving them with things to consider versus putting anyone on the spot to
answer
Jeff has been in contact with Koren, and indicated they are looking for a slide deck. Doug indicated
that it is his belief that the Trustees will want to see and digest the final report for this meeting (even
if it is a draft). It is highly unlikely that either board will be able to make any decisions at this meeting,
and the report may or may not result in all recommendations followed through with, but it will aid
them in decision-making (read: don't expect any votes at either meeting). The meeting with this
committee and the Select Board will be a joint meeting so that all members can be there and speak.
Doug clarified the questions about the Library Foundation's relationship to the Trustees and purpose
as related to the Friends and the Town. The contributions to the Library budget (programming, capital
expenses) by the Foundation was described as not insignificant. For example, with the upcoming
updates to the Children's Room the Town would probably pay for the plans for that but the
Foundation would pay for the actual capital expenditure. It was asked that if the Trustees were so
inclined,they could authorize the Foundation to raise funds for the Stone Building.
REPORT- The committee discussed the report for providing to the Trustees by Monday morning.
• General consensus to keep report big picture so Trustees/Select Board can easily read and
react
• Carolyn raised concern that there is content in this report that has not been fully discussed as a
committee. Jeff to send out sections for Cristina to add and for SBFRC to review separately
• The report will be sent out as a draft, with the Trustees understanding that the SBFRC has not
voted to approve it
2
• Cristina to get the report out to committee members by Friday, and comments to be returned
on Saturday. She and Meg will organize it all and return the final draft report to members on
Sunday
• 4th conclusion described as: Specific public/private partnership possibilities needs to be
further explored and defined for operations
Jaclyn requested a future agenda item to talk about our role in public outreach to maintain enthusiasm
for our findings. It is understood that it is not our charge to get community interest in our vision, but
Likewise it is an important feature for the project over time. Possibly this is a continuation of this
committee (which Jaclyn volunteered to help with). It was suggested that there should be time for this
on 19th (timeline below).
Letters of support mentioned (which we should make sure get included with the final report).
Request was made for Jeff and Les to walk the committee through feasibility models at the next
meeting.
MAY TIMELINE was presented and reviewed.
TODAY. 5 (Th) - SBFRC mtg.
`') (iii) - 'rrseGrl:Rrlconudooii'rzeGils 6_ie toI,...cLb)rary In.istr:es
12 (Th) - SBFRC mtg. - discussion of the feasibility
18 (W) - Presentation to Library Trustees
18 (W) .. I 'Gr senti rl[on dooii'nr ['rls 6,ie to `,r 4ect Board
19 (Th) - SBFRC mtg. - future, outreach
23 (M) - Presentation to Select Board
The meeting adjourned at 9:27, as motioned by Anne, seconded by Melinda, and unanimously
approved.
3