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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-23-AC-min.exe 8/23/16 Executive Session Minutes Minutes –Executive Session Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee August 23, 2016 Place and time- Parker Room, Town Office Building, 7 30 p.m Members present Glenn Parker, Chair, Kate Colburn, Alan Levine, Eric Michelson, Richard Neumeier, Andrei Radulescu-Banu, Rob Addelson (non-voting, ex officio) Members Absent John Bartenstem, Vice Chair and Secretary; Mollie Garberg; Membership Note There is one vacancy on the Committee which has yet to be filled. Others Present Peter Kelley, Board of Selectmen (BoS), Joe Pato, BoS, David Kanter, Vice- Chair& Clerk, Capital Expenditures Committee, Pat Goddard, Director, Department of Public Facilities Following a declaration that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Town, a roll call vote of the Committee was taken on a motion to go into executive session to discuss a potential purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property under exemption 6 and to reconvene in open session. The motion was unanimously adopted, each member present having voted in the affirmative VOTE 6-0 The Committee entered Executive Session at 7 37 pm Possible Purchase of 171-173 Bedford Street: Mr Parker reported that the Town is currently negotiating the purchase of 171-173 Bedford Street and expects to sign a formal Letter of Intent in the near future Mr Pato reported that the substantive issues have been resolved, some non-substantive details are being finalized, and the purchase price being discussed is considered favorable It is expected that on an immediate basis the property would be leased to Liberty Mutual before being reconfigured to serve as swing space for the Fire Department while a new Fire Department facility is built to replace, in the same location, the current Bedford Street headquarters Fire Department Chief John Wilson is supportive of the plans Reconfiguring 171-173 Bedford Street includes installing temporary heated tents for 2-3 vehicles, one or two vehicles may be housed at the Department of Public Facilities The funding source for this project has not been finally determined, although it is expected to be debt. Mr Addelson agreed to venfy which materials associated with this project could be referenced in this committee's report to the Special Town Meeting (STM) 2016-5 recently scheduled for September 21, 2016 It was noted that three steps will be involved in creating the swing space, each of which will require funding; possible timing was identified, as follows • Purchase of the Property and Schematic Design Development—STM 2016-5 funding request. • Swing Space Design Funds— Spring 2017 funding request, perhaps at the Annual Town Meeting. A 2011 study discussed plans for replacing the fire station and some planning funds were appropriated in the fall of 2015, but additional funding is needed. i 8/23/16 Executive Session Minutes • Construction Funds—Fall 2017 STM funding request. It is anticipated that construction of the swing space would begin in the fall of 2017, with a completion target date of summer 2018 when construction of a new fire station would begin. Funding for the replacement fire station would require a comparable, overlapping, funding sequence It is assumed that a debt exclusion vote would be required, although timing has not been discussed by the BoS It was noted that use of the swing space for the fire department should not exceed two years because of the potential toll on fire department equipment and morale issues The School Committee has been asked to refrain from considering the immediate use of 171-173 Bedford Street for its purposes It might be used as swing space for the police department when a new police headquarters is built. There was discussion about this Committee's report to the STM 2016-5, which should be finalized by September 8 It is hoped that the Letter of Intent would be signed by September 1 This Committee is scheduled to meet the evening of September 1 A motion was made and seconded to adjourn and return to open session. The motion was unanimously adopted by a roll call vote, each member present having voted in the affirmative VOTE 6-0 The executive session adjourned at 8.24 p.m No additional documents or exhibits were used during the executive session. Respectfully submitted, Sara Arnold Recording Secretary Approved for Public Release September 21, 2016