HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-09-AC-min10/09/17 AC Minutes
Minutes
Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee (AC)
October 9, 2017
Place and Time: Parker Room, Town Office Building, 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: John Bartenstein, Chair; Alan Levine, Vice -Chair & Secretary; Ellen Basch;
Eric Michelson; Richard Neumeier, Andrei Radulescu-Banu; Lily Manhua
Yan; Jian Helen Yang; Carolyn Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager, Finance
(non-voting, ex officio)
Members Absent: Sanjay Padaki
Other Attendees: None
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m.
1. Announcements
No announcements
2. Discussion of Articles for Special Town Meeting No. 2.
No discussions
3. Discussion of Articles for Special Town Meeting No. 3
Article 3.8, Design Funds for Visitors Center — It was clarified that, as per its latest discussion of
this article, the Board of Selectmen is not interested in pursuing a suggestion made by the
Permanent Building Committee to re-enter the Schematic Design stage prior to the Special Town
Meeting.
Article 3.12, CPA Projects — LexHab has advised that it has decided not to go forward at this time
with its request under Article 3.12 for additional funding for its Lowell St affordable housing
project, but does intend to bring it back at the Annual Town Meeting in the spring. LexHAB also
will be working on a revised per-unit cost, that takes into consideration the municipal procurement
rules, to be used by the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen when they negotiate with
developers for affordable housing mitigation.
The Community Preservation Committee has not yet been able to vote on the Adams St. land
purchase because the property appraisal has not been completed. The Community Preservation
Act does not allow the expenditure of CPA funds to acquire land in excess of the land's appraised
value. It is likely that the developer who is the current landowner will want to recover its cost to
demolish the house and part or all of its potential profits, placing the cost of the purchase higher
than the appraised price. Selectman Kelley has proposed to the CPC the option of soliciting
contributions from private entities for the difference. If more information is available by the next
Appropriation Committee meeting on 10/16, it may be possible to have a discussion and vote.
10/09/17 AC Minutes
4. Review and Finalize Report to the Special Town Meetings
John Bartenstein asked for comments on and proposals for edits to the Introduction. A discussion
followed whether additional information should be provided relating to the taxpayer impact of the
debt exclusion projects which will be subject to requests for appropriation at the Special Town
Meeting and a later referendum vote.
A motion was made by Richard Neumeier to approve the report, as written, pending corrections
made to the Table of Contents and other non -substantive items. The motion was seconded and
approved 8-0.
Future Meetings.
The next meeting will be held on October 16, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Eric Michelson
Approved:
Exhibits
Agenda, posted by John Bartenstein, Chair
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