HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-07-CPC-min Minutes of the Community Preservation Committee
Thursday, December 7, 2017
Parker Room
Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
3:00 PM
Committee Members Present: Marilyn Fenollosa (Chair); Richard Wolk (Vice-Chair); David
Horton, Jeanne Krieger, Joe Pato, Robert Pressman, Sandra Shaw, Melinda Walker.
Charles Hornig participated remotely due to his physical presence being unreasonably difficult.
Administrative Assistant: Elizabeth Mancini
Other Attendees: Chris Filadoro, Superintendent,Tree Warden; Marc Valenti, DPW Manager of
Operations; Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs; Peter Coleman,
Assistant Director of Recreation, Christine Dean, Community Center Director.
Ms. Fenollosa called the meeting to order at 3:04 PM.
1) Mr. Filadoro requested $40,000 in CPA funds for upgrades to the current irrigation
systems at Town parks and facilities. He advised that the current project is identical
to the FY18 request for funding to upgrade the irrigation systems at the Town's
athletic fields. The CPC questioned if the upgrades were successful at the athletic
fields and Mr. Filadoro advised that the implementation at the football field went
well and the rest were currently going out to bid. After additional discussion, the
CPC issued a straw vote and voted in a roll call to support the project (9-0).
2) Ms. Battite requested $975,000 in CPA funds to replace and upgrade lighting fixtures
at playing fields and courts at the Center Recreation Complex. She advised that the
current lighting system is outdated, requires frequent maintenance and does not
operate efficiently. She estimated approximately$244,000 in energy savings over
the lifespan of the new equipment. The Committee raised concern about funding
the project on a site that could be considered in several years for a new high school.
There was also discussion about the cost savings not justifying the nearly$1 million
price tag. Ms. Battite advised that the equipment is becoming more difficult to
maintain because the equipment is out of date and can no longer be serviced. She
also pointed out that if left as-is, the current lighting system may pose a safety risk
to users.
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The CPC voted in a straw poll (6-2-1) to support the project (votes were recorded in
a roll call) but asked that Ms. Battite return with additional information, including
more detailed cost savings.
Ms. Battite also presented the request for $2,829,000 in CPA funding for the Center
Track and Field Reconstruction. A new hybrid playing surface is planned for the
athletic field within the track but CPA funds will only be used for the track
construction since the hybrid contains partially synthetic material. The Committee
again expressed concern due to the potential for a new high school to be built on
the site. There was discussion about whether the project could proceed on a smaller
scale to address some of the immediate safety issues. Ms. Battite advised that the
DPW was examining the track's existing sub-surface to determine if it could support
a new surface. After additional discussion, the CPC decided not to issue a straw vote
since it required additional information from Ms. Battite before making a decision.
Ms. Battite also requested $75,000 for a feasibility study for renovations to the Old
Reservoir bathhouse. She advised that this request is new to the capital budget due
to the recommendations in the recently completed Recreation Facilities and ADA
Compliance Study. The Commission on Disability also identified the bathhouse as its
number one priority. She explained that the building is small so it's expected that
the design and engineering documents will be included as part of the FY19 request.
A subsequent FY20 request for construction is anticipated. The CPC voted in a straw
poll (9-0) to support the project. The votes were recorded in a roll call.
3) After a motion duly made and seconded, the CPC voted (9-0) to approve the minutes
from the meeting on November 30, 2017 as submitted. The votes were recorded in
a roll call.
The CPC also briefly discussed the 2017 Needs Assessment Report and the upcoming
public hearing. Ms. Mancini advised the Committee that Gerry Paul had recently
withdrawn the application for a Senior Housing Feasibility Study.
After a motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 4:32 PM. The
votes were recorded in a roll call.
The following documents were used at the meeting:
1) FY19 CIPs-#1056, #278, #1046
2) Draft meeting minutes- 11.30.17
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Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Mancini
Administrative Assistant
Community Preservation Committee
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