Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-12-18-CPC-min Community Preservation Committee December 18, 2006 Attending: Joel Adler, Norm Cohen, Marilyn Fenollosa, Wendy Manz, Leo McSweeney, Richard Pagett, Sandy Shaw, Betsey Weiss, Dick Wolk Also attending: William P. Hadley (Director, Public Works); David J. Pinsonneault (Public Grounds Superintendent), Arthur Katz (Lexington Minute-Man) The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. by Betsey Weiss, CPC chair. 1. Deliberation and Votes on Projects for Spring 2007 Town Meeting: a. Center Playfield drainage improvements study - $40,000 Betsey described the project and presented a handout from a recent seminar sponsored by the Mass. Department of Revenue and the Community Preservation Coalition that clearly indicates that this type of project is eligible for CPA funding. Dick noted that the proposed study will help the town by detailing what needs to be done to prevent the constant flooding of the fields; Norm added that the work will need to be done by the town eventually. Joel pointed out that the town will in effect be getting a 50% discount on the work because of the 100% state match. It was moved, seconded and voted 9-0 that the full amount of the project, $40,000, be recommended to Town Meeting. b. Historic Burying Grounds Rehabilitation - $367,000 Betsey briefly described the project. Richard noted that a study has already been completed on this project, and therefore we know what needs to be done; he felt that we should approve the entire three-year budget. Leo added that if the amount approved is more than is required to finish the project, the applicant will not request the extra funds. Norm suggested that we be sure that there are sufficient CPA funds to approve the entire project; Richard stated that if we funded every project presented to us, less the open space projects, we would have sufficient funds for all of them before we received the FY 08 tax receipts and matching state funds for FY 07. Dick wondered whether, in the case that we needed funds before those other amounts were received, the town could borrow in anticipation of their receipt, and Norm confirmed that we could. It was then moved, seconded and voted 9-0 that the full amount of the project, $367,000, be recommended to Town Meeting. c. Fire Monitoring Equipment at the three historic houses - $18,120 Betsey briefly described the project. Wendy wondered whether, since we have already recommended two projects [the historic structures report for Hancock-Clarke House and the freight elevator for the Depot Square building], the Committee was approving too many projects sponsored by the Lexington Historical Society, which could face opposition in Town Meeting. Marilyn noted that, setting aside the town capital projects that have been approved, the LHS is one of the few appropriate entities to bring historic preservation projects to the Committee. It was then moved, seconded and voted 9-0 that the full amount of the project, $18,120, be recommended to Town Meeting. d. Buckman Tavern boiler - $10,685 Betsey briefly described the project. There were no comments from the Committee. It was then moved, seconded and voted 9-0 that the full amount of the project, $10,685, be recommended to Town Meeting. e. Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey - $90,000 Marilyn briefly described the project. Richard suggested that, as with other projects where the entire scope of the project is known, we fund the entire three-year budget. Norm wondered whether politically it would be wiser to only request the first phase of the projects, especially given that the Historical Commission has requested a warrant article to extend the delay period in the demolition delay bylaw. Dick suggested that updating the inventory will not serve the desired purpose of stopping demolition of smaller, affordable homes in Lexington; Marilyn pointed out that with better, updated information, the demolition delay process will be more defensible – those properties that have lost their historic integrity since the original inventory entries were completed will be allowed to be demolished, and we will have complete and accurate information on those other properties that were not previously documented but are now being considered for demolition and redevelopment. Joel wondered whether Town Meeting had previously been requested to fund inventory updates; Marilyn replied that in the past, the inventory was funded through grants from the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the Trustees of Public Trusts of Lexington. [Correction: the 2000 update was funded with a grant from the Town of Lexington that did not go before Town Meeting.] It was then moved, seconded and voted 8-1 (Dick dissenting) that the full amount of the project, $90,000, be recommended to Town Meeting. 2. Discussion of other projects Norm noted that following the public hearing on December 14, Rachel Dorr of SLI suggested that if the Committee were not able to grant the money for the project, it instead make a loan to the project, it being understood that if the property were to be used for other purposes, the loan would be immediately repayable. The Committee agreed this would be something to consider when the project comes up for deliberation. It was also suggested that the amount of the project grant be reduced, perhaps to a percentage of the entire project. Everyone needs to consider what would be an appropriate amount for the grant, if awarded. With respect to Muzzey Condominiums, Norm reiterated that the building does provide affordable housing, is the current site of the Senior Center and is a historic building, therefore the project is worthy of some CPA funding. Betsey stressed that the proposed project is for - 2 - structural analysis, not the actual construction. Joel added that the building has always had problems, and we shouldn’t hold its political problems against it. 3. Agendas for remaining project deliberation and voting meetings After some discussion, it was agreed that we should consider all of the affordable housing projects at the same time. Therefore, the agendas for the next two meetings are as follows: January 10 January 18 Greeley Village windows East Lexington Library study Muzzey Condominiums West Lexington bikeway Affordable Housing easement program Cary Hall Performance space Douglas House Signage 4. Approval of Minutes It was moved, seconded and unanimously voted that the minutes of the CPC meetings held June 7, June 21, August 9, September 7, September 21, October 5, October 25, November 8, November 16, November 30, and December 7 be approved. 5. Next Meeting next meeting Betsey then reminded the CPC members that the will be held at 4:00 on Wednesday, January 10 in the Legion Room at Cary Hall. 6. Adjournment adjourn It was moved, seconded and voted to . The meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Fenollosa - 3 -