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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-12-14-CPC-min Community Preservation Committee Public Hearing December 14, 2006 A public hearing of the Community Preservation Committee was held on December 14, 2006 in Cary Hall. Joel Adler, Norman Cohen, Marilyn Fenollosa, Wendy Manz, Leo McSweeney, Richard Pagett, Sandy Shaw, Dick Wolk, and Chairman Betsey Weiss were present. Betsey Weiss called the hearing to order at 7:05 p.m. Center Playfield Drainage Improvements Sandy Shaw, on behalf of David Pinsonneault, described the project. The request is for $40,000 to have an engineering firm conduct a study for making drainage improvements at the Worthen Road baseball, softball, and football fields, including the practice football field. To go forward with the project they would be looking for funds from the CPA and the Town. This project is one that the CPA allows since it is not routine maintenance. Frank Sandy, Precinct 6, asked what kind of recreation projects CPA money can be used for, and commented that he was told the money could not be used for Pine Meadows. Sandy Shaw said that there is a planned project at Pine Meadows for which CPA money could be used because it fits the criteria of preservation of land for recreational use. Monroe and Old Burial Grounds David Kelland, Chairman, Lexington Historical Commission, presented a proposal to do considerable restoration work at the Monroe Cemetery and the Ye Old Burial Ground. These sites are cared for by the Department of Public Works but need the services of a qualified preservationist. Total funds requested amount to $159,000 in 2008 and $208,000 in 2009. The cost breakdown per project is $41,000 in 2008 and $68,000 in 2009 for Monroe, and $118,000 in 2008 and $140,000 in 2009 for the Ye Old Burial Ground. The Town’s burying grounds are an integral part of Lexington’s history, and an important attraction for tourists. The issue of whether both years of funding should be requested at once was discussed. Opinions in support and opposition of the idea were voiced from members of the Committee and from the audience. Fire Monitoring System Susan Bennett, Executive Director, Lexington Historical Society, presented the proposal for improved fire monitoring systems at the three properties the Society oversees. The Lexington Fire Department is currently changing to a new technology for commercial buildings. The Fire Chief recommended the Historical Society explore CPA funding. The request is for $18,120 and can be broken out as follows: $5,710 for Buckman Tavern, $6,210 for Monroe Tavern, and $6,200 for the Hancock-Clarke House. Listed on the National Register of historic places, these buildings constitute the three tangible remnants of the events of the Battle of Lexington. David Kanter, Appropriations Committee, asked if this project is CPA funded, would the Fire Chief still look for Town funds in his budget for the Town owned property, Buckman Tavern. The Committee said they were sure that this project would not be double funded. Buckman Tavern Boiler Susan Bennett is requesting $10,685 to replace the boiler at Buckman Tavern, and replace the underground oil tank with one to be installed in the basement. The current boiler is over 30 years old and is not efficient. An energy audit performed pro bono by local experts last year recommended boiler replacement. Many of the other recommendations were done by using volunteer labor or Society funding. Arlex Oil Corporation is contributing $2050 toward the total cost of the project, which is $12,735. David Kanter asked whether there is any evidence of the leakage in the underground oil tank. Susan Bennett is not aware of any problems. The Committee reminded everyone present that there have been several meetings to discuss each project and the applicants have been asked extensive questions. Comprehensive Cultural Resource Survey David Kelland described the project. The Lexington Historical Society would like to hire a consultant to correct, update, and expand the nine-volume Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey of Lexington, then summarize the findings and incorporate them into a published history of Lexington’s historic properties and neighborhoods. The first phase of the project, identification of the rest of the houses that belong in the inventory, would cost $20,000, which David Kelland said in a way is already paid for by the Jefferson Union settlement. The second phase, field research and documentation, would cost $50,000, and the third phase, compilation of a smaller book, $20,000. Dawn McKenna, Precinct 6, thinks the money would be better spent by putting the existing nine volumes on the web. She also thinks this project would be better received if the home owners are notified before being included on a list with serious consequences such as demolition by laws. Shirley Stolz, Capital Expenditures Committee, suggests working with the Community Development Office, which is looking for a way to incorporate historical information into their database. The Committee explained that the book would have to conform to Mass. Historical Commission standards requiring it to be in paper form at first. Window Replacements at Greeley Village Ann Whitney presented the Lexington Housing Authority’s request for $228,404 to replace windows at Greeley Village that are original since its opening in 1968. Greeley Village is a state funded affordable housing development for the elderly. The state has not given money to do modernization work. The rest of the money needed to complete the work ($20,000) will come from rent collected by the Housing Authority. Frank Sandy, Precinct 6, said that this sounds like the state’s obligation, and CPA funding would set a bad precedent. Ann Whitney said that the project is one that the CPA allows because it will preserve low-income housing. We need to preserve our 40B housing. The Town has an obligation to meet the 10% requirement and Greeley Village counts towards this. East Lexington Library Connie Rawson, Director of Cary Library, is requesting $25,000 (application says $15,000) for a complete study of the Stone Building to preserve the building for historical purposes and define standards necessary to bring the building into compliance with ADA accessibility standards. The Stone building dates back to 1833 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was offered to the Trustees of Cary Library in 1892. Several citizens came to voice their support of the project. The consensus was that at the very least, the study is worthwhile to help the community discuss how to use the building in the future. Connie Rawson will firm up the amount needed for a thorough study of all aspects of the building and come back to the Committee in January. Restoration of Cary Hall for Performances Sheila Watson and Joan Zahka presented the proposal on behalf of the Lexington Center Committee. The overall request is for $698,000 to evaluate the current facility, develop a comprehensive plan for the restoration of Cary Hall as a center for public presentation and performance, and make the necessary restorations. The funds requested could be st approved in phases to bring Cary Hall up to the 21 Century performance standards. Historical research indicates that the Cary family meant for the Hall to be used for theatricals as well as meetings. David Kanter, Appropriation Committee, is against anything but the presentation of a proposal for a business plan at the spring Town Meeting. Alan Levine, Appropriation Committee, recommends that the study be comprehensive, hitting every single aspect of the building as a system. Masha Traber, Precinct 5, is concerned that the National Heritage Museum will lose business. Shirley Stolz wanted to know if handicap access to the Bird Room would be included. Sheila Watson said that the ADA question will be factored in to the architectural piece of the study which will be done second, after the feasibility study. The study will look at parking, the impact on other businesses, and help evaluate whether this is a good proposition for the Town. Unifying Signage Dawn McKenna presented the project on behalf of the Tourism Committee, to create unifying signage throughout Lexington in four categories: directional, site specific, story telling and welcome. The request of $21,500 is for directional and site-specific signs, as well as one storytelling sign on the Battle Green. David Kelland, Lexington Historical Society, asked what category this project fits under. Dawn McKenna said the project is appropriate under historic preservation of the CPA because of the marking of historic sites, and is also eligible under CPA administrative expenses. David Kanter endorses the directional signs. Masha Traber is supportive of the project. David Kelland thinks the Historical Commission should be part of any discussions to move the existing sign at Waltham St. and Marrett Rd. Richard Pagett asked if David Kelland had been to any of the four public hearings on the matter and reiterated that the State Highway Department is in charge of that project. Douglas House Project Rachel Dorr of Supportive Living, Inc. described the project to convert the printing press property at 7 Oakland Street to 15 units of housing for brain injury survivors. Eleven of the units are affordable housing. SLI is asking for $750,000 toward the project. This project adds 15 units to the count of affordable housing in Lexington. Norman Cohen asked that the applicant get written confirmation of this assertion. In response to several questions from the audience, Rachel Dorr explained that SLI has owned the property since May 2004 and has been working to get funding since then. They want to enhance the property with a few things that State programs and grants won’t pay for, such as interior enhancements for common space in the basement and pedestrian access from Oakland Street to the Center. The largest portion of the request, $600,000 is to make the basement useful. Under $75,000 would be used for the walkway. SLI is willing to accept the following restrictions on the property: a preservation easement on the façade, the property is used as affordable housing in perpetuity, and public access across the property. Rachel Dorr said that these are rental units, not a clinical facility. Matt Finch of Percy Rd. is a Rehabilitation Doctor and was involved in the Woburn and North Reading projects. He is available for questions now or in private from citizens who are concerned about what kind of neighbors the residents of this facility would make. Walking / Bike Trail Keith Omhart described the project on behalf of the Lexington Conservation Stewards and the Bicycle Advisory Committee. The Recreation Committee and Conservation Committee are also sponsoring the project. The request is for $125,000 to develop a master plan for connecting all of Lexington’s conservation lands west of I-95 with a pedestrian and mountain bicycle accessible trail. The first priority is to connect the Minuteman Bikeway with the Battle Road Trail in Minuteman National Historical Park. In response to questions from the audience, Duke Bitsko of the Conservation Commission said there would be two phases to the project. The first would be a planning study and the second would be construction documents. The project will be coming to the Planning Board in January for their comments and suggestions, if any. Muzzy Condominium Study Tom Battin, Chair, Muzzy High Condominium Association, described the project. The request is for $53,500 to conduct a building evaluation study of the Muzzy High Condominium Building. The purpose of the study is to preserve and restore this historic building and to add energy efficiency. The deed restriction on the selling prices of the units makes it difficult for owners to undertake renovation projects. The median income of residents is $47,500. Dawn McKenna asked what portion of the building is owned by the Town. Tom Battin said that the Senior Center and LexHab units comprise 20%; therefore that portion of the total cost would be the responsibility of the Town. It was noted by a member of the audience that LexHab is not funded by the Town. LexHab is a town entity but not a line item in the budget. Affordable Housing Deed Restriction Bob Bicknell, Chair, Lexington Housing Partnership, presented the project. The request is for $200,000 to purchase an affordable deed restriction on a house to implement a program being defined by the Lexington Housing Partnership with support from Community Opportunities Group, Inc. This would be a prototype project to test the home selection, financing procedures, and the purchasing applicant qualification and selection procedures. Similar projects in Stow and Acton are being studied. The goal is to preserve our stock of smaller homes and provide an alternative in Lexington to the current practice of teardowns. In Lexington we seek diversity, but young adults and town employees cannot afford to live here. In the years 1990 – 2000 there has been a 30% drop in residents who are 20 – 40 years old. In response to questions from the audience, Bob Bicknell said that the issue of purchase price vs. assessed value and what is paid in taxes is still being studied. The study phase would be completed before Town Meeting and is being paid for by the housing foundation. The housing foundation would purchase the home at market price using the CPA funds to subsidize the sale. Then the house would be put on the market at an affordable rate. It is not known how many houses it would take to really make a difference in Lexington, but the purpose of the prototype is to understand the parameters. Chairman Weiss announced that the Committee would not be voting on any of the projects at the public hearing and announced the dates of the next two meetings, which are December 18th and January 10th. She said that the two land parcels for which CPA applications have been received are under negotiation so there was nothing to report at this hearing. Dick Wolk said that the Conservation Commission hopes to have a close handle on the dollar value by mid-January if any agreement can be reached. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m. A true record; Attest: Diana B. Chabot