HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-11-03-CPC-minMinutes of the Community Preservation Committee
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Parker Meeting Room
Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
4:00 PM
Committee Members Present: Marilyn Fenollosa (Chair); Richard Wolk (Vice- Chair); Norman Cohen,
Charles Hornig, David Horton, Jeanne Krieger Robert Pressman, Sandra Shaw
Absent: Robert Peters
Administrative Assistant: Elizabeth Mancini
Other Attendees: Wendy Manz, Capital Expenditures Committee liaison to the CPC; Peter Coleman,
Assistant Director of Recreation; Chris Filadoro, Public Grounds Superintendent; Karen Simmons,
Director of Recreation and Community Programs
Ms. Fenollosa called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM.
1) Park and Playground Improvements- Peter Coleman and Chris Filadoro presented the FY18
request for $60,000 to update and replace the swing sets and install bike racks at Bow Street
Park, Franklin Park and Munroe Park.
Ms. Fenollosa noted a future year funding request listed on the current application for $70,000
for improvements to equipment at Sutherland Park. She questioned why $70,000 was budgeted
for one park while the FY18 request combined improvements to three parks for $60,000. Mr.
Coleman explained that the future request for Sutherland Park included replacement of the
entire playground structure while the FY18 request only included replacement of the swing sets
at the three locations.
While discussing the status of previously funded recreation projects, Ms. Fenollosa asked about
the ADA Accessibility Study that was approved for FY16 and how the findings may impact
recreation projects approved since that time and the requests presently before the CPC. Mr.
Coleman confirmed that any improvements would be incorporated into the capital plan.
The CPC voted (7 -0 -1) in a straw poll to support the project.
2) Town Pool Renovation- While summarizing the FY18 request for Town Pool Renovations, Mr.
Coleman noted that the Recreation Department expects an updated audit (based on the original
2008 audit of the facility) from the consultant within the next month. The new audit will
provide updated costs for the renovation. The current estimate requests $1,620,000 in CPA
funding.
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Mr. Pressman questioned the cost of the proposed water spray feature ($300,000), noting that
the Capital Expenditures Committee had questioned the necessity of this part of the project due
to the associated cost. Ms. Simmons pointed out that the total also included the cost to
reconfigure the wading pool. Ms. Manz stated that the CEC recognized the importance of
having such a feature to draw young families with children to the complex but the Capital
Expenditures Committee has taken no position on the issue.
Discussion ensued regarding the impact of this large project on FY18 CPA balances and the
importance of the project to the Town. Mr. Wolk also questioned if the Recreation Department
had the ability to contribute supplemental funds instead of seeking CPA funds to cover the
entire project cost. Mr. Wolk noted that he supported the project but not the approach and
asked the applicants to provide additional information regarding the funds they may have
available for contribution.
The Committee also discussed the possibility of bonding the cost of the Town Pool project, the
impact of continued debt service payments for previously funded projects and the importance
of maintaining the Town's recreational facilities due to increased use.
The CPC voted (7 -0 -1) in a straw poll to support the project. Mr. Coleman will provide additional
information regarding any funds they may have available for contribution towards the project.
3) Park Improvements- Athletic Fields- Mr. Filadoro presented a request for $125,000 for
improvements to athletic fields in the form of new irrigation systems. He noted that this
request was re- prioritized from FY21 to FY18 due to the extreme drought conditions this past
summer.
He explained that the new irrigation system would be a web -based system focused on efficiency
and water conservation. Mr. Filadoro confirmed that the funding request would cover the cost
of implementing the technology at 14 athletic fields. Implementation would include the
purchase and installation of valves, plumbing, controllers and all installation costs at each site.
Mr. Horton asked how much money or gallons of water would be saved by implementing this
project. Mr. Filadoro estimated that $50,000 was spent on municipal water last year, including
cemeteries and other municipal areas. He expected to recapture the cost of installation within
4 -5 years.
The CPC voted (8 -0) in a straw poll to support the project.
Mr. Cohen left the meeting after the vote at 4:45 PM.
4) Discussion regarding placeholder- Recreation Site Assessment of Potential Land Acquisition -
The CPC asked Ms. Simmons about the placeholder application she submitted on behalf of the
Recreation Department. She noted that Recreation is collaborating with the Conservation
Department and they are looking at two potential sites but nothing has been confirmed. Any
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potential request may be for appraisal and assessment costs but the project has not progressed
past placeholder status.
Ms. Simmons, Mr. Coleman and Mr. Filadoro left the meeting at the conclusion of the
discussion.
5) Approval of Minutes- After a motion duly made and seconded, the CPC voted to approve the
minutes, as submitted, from their meeting on September 6, 2016. The vote was 6 -0 -1.
Mr. Pressman offered an amendment to a section of the minutes from the CPC meeting on
October 27, 2016. After brief discussion and a motion duly made and seconded, the minutes
were approved as amended, 7 -0.
6) Member Concerns- The Committee discussed the issue of working with limited funds and how
best to consider multiple funding requests. Ms. Shaw noted that it's the Committee's job to
weigh tough choices. Ms. Fenollosa also reminded the Committee members that it's their
obligation to analyze each project fully, fairly and within budget.
After a motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 PM.
The following documents were submitted/ utilized at the meeting:
1) Draft CPC meeting minutes- 9.6.16
2) Draft CPC meeting minutes- 10.27.16
3) FY18 Recreation CIP applications
4) Suggested changes- 10.27.16 minutes submitted by Bob Pressman
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