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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-13-AC-min4/13/2016 AC Minutes Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee (AC) April 13, 2016 Place and time: Ellen Stone Room, Cary Memorial Building; 6:30 p.m. Members present. Glenn Parker, Chair; John Bartenstein, Vice Chair and Secretary; Kate Colburn; Mollie Garberg; Alan Levine; Eric Michelson; Richard Neumeier; Andrei Radulescu -Banu Members Absent: Beth Masterman; Rob Addelson (non- voting, ex officio) Others Present: David Horton, Lexington Representative, Minuteman Technical School Committee; Patrick Mehr, Resident The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm. 1. Announcements: • Annual Town Meeting Article 10(p): Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment; Parking Meter Replacement Phase 2: Mr. Parker reported that the Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) is not supporting this article because it does not believe enough data is available on the results of Phase 1. Mr. Michelson reported the following: > Phase 1 started with the installation of 19 -25 new meters, with the balance for that phase being installed on March 1, 2016. > Data was collected and shared during the initial stage of Phase 1, but the amount of time to collect data was limited; credit card use is currently up to 60 %, which reduces costs associated with emptying the meters and counting the money. > The new meters are necessary for changing the recently approved parking meter rates efficiently. > The new meters can easily be tweaked electronically to adjust to changes in rates at particular locations, as may be desired. The old meters require manual adjustments on each meter, and extra patrols to empty them more frequently if rates are increased. This Committee has already voted to recommend passage of Article 10(p). • Tax Impact of May 3 Debt Exclusion Referendum: Using a handout, Mr. Mehr discussed the tax impact of the debt exclusion proposal to support school related projects. He believes the impacts will be greater than those presented on the Town's website. Mr. Parker reported that he and Mr. Addelson will be meeting in the near future to review the issue, and he will subsequently contact Mr. Mehr. 2. Report to Special Town Meeting 2016 -4: • Article 2: Bond Approval Minuteman Regional High School: Mr. Michelson reviewed proposed changes to his draft report for the article. Mr. Radulescu -Banu expressed concern about the estimated costs per square foot for replacing the school building, indicating that they are greater than for comparable projects that he had identified. Mr. Michelson's and Mr. Horton's comments included the following: 1 4/13/2016 AC Minutes > The cost per square foot for a technical high school is greater than for a non - technical high school because skill training in fields such as carpentry and plumbing requires large spaces. > There are many factors that influence the cost per square foot of a technical high school that may not be equivalent to a regular high school when making comparisons. > The costs cited in the article do not include design fees; the design does not include a pool. > Although the bulk of construction costs are expected to be approved for Massachusetts School Building Authority reimbursement, some design elements are ineligible for such assistance. > No decisions have yet been made about the future use of the current school building. > The project costs have been thoroughly vetted by representatives of all of the member communities in the Minuteman Regional High School district. > Ten communities will be sharing in the cost of the project, with each portion based on enrollment; Lexington's share will be greater than one tenth due to larger enrollment. > The member communities' shares will be included in their annual assessments for the school. Lexington's assessment is funded in the annual operating budget. A motion was made and seconded to support 2016 STM -4 Article 2. The motion passed. VOTE: 7 -0 -1. • Article 4: Amend General Bylaws CEC: Mr. Parker discussed this article, which requests an increase in the CEC's membership. The workload for this Committee is large and growing, and the Committee currently has only five members. The proposed motion would allow from five to nine members, with the Town Moderator determining whether to appoint five, seven or nine members. A motion was made and seconded to support STM 2016 -4 Article 4. The motion passed. VOTE: 8 -0 A motion was made and seconded to approve this Committee's report to STM 2016 -4, with edits as identified at this meeting. The motion passed. VOTE: 8 -0 3. Minutes: A motion was made and seconded to approv the March 23, 2016 minutes. The motion passed. VOTE: 8 -0 4. Future Meetings: The next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 19th. Joe Pato, Chair, Board of Selectmen, will attend to discuss the potential purchase of the Pelham Road and /or the Belmont Country Club properties. The Committee adjourned at 7:15 p.m. The documents used at the meeting are listed below. Respectfully submitted, Sara Arnold Recording Secretary Approved May 2, 2016 2 4/13/2016 AC Minutes Exhibits Agenda, posted by Glenn Parker, Chair Analysis of slides posted by the Town of Lexington dated April 7, 2016, prepared by Mr. Mehr 3