HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-01-12-BFC-min.pdf j
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
AD HOC BUILDING FINANCE COMMITTEE
Minutes of Initial Meeting January 12 1995 in Room 105 , Town Office
Building, as approved February 3 , 1995
The meeting was called to order by Town Engineer Francis X Fields at
7 33 p m with the following present Committee members Gilbert Garber ,
Donald Jenkins , Peter Kelley William Kennedy Mark Moore and Walter
Pierce and staff members Fields, Director of School Building Operation
John Moynihan and Superintendent of Building Maintenance Frederick
Sweet Committee appointee David Eagle was absent
Town Engineer Fields reviewed some highlights of last year ' s study of
town buildings that was voted at the 1994 Annual Town Meeting The
study encompassed 20 town buildings (all non-school
jurisdiction
buildings , including the Schools Administration Building) with a value
of $24 2 million and projected a half million annual maintenance
{ expenditure and a 10-year renewal program Among the buildings
especially in need of renovation was the Town Barn (about $7 4 million
to renovate) Cary Memorial Building needed a new slate (?) roof as
well as further ADA compliance
Walter Pierce spoke of needs for Library updating The Trustees will be
requesting funds at the 1995 Town Meeting for a study of that facility
It was noted that the Archetype report was mostly on existing buildings
only suggesting additions or program changes in some cases Examples of
needs for exterior repairs of various buildings were cited Most of
these could be ascertained only by careful looking at each structure
Cost estimates for engineering and remedies were based on October 1993
prices
John Moynihan told how the schools study was initiated by the School
Committee An earlier study in 1985 by KLQ had shortcomings in
infrastructure and forecasting aspects After completing the $11 8 bond
issue to renovate all schools based on that study, the schools have been
working on a five-year program emphasizing school shells and
infrastructure
Now, however, the schools are looking at an interdisciplinary trend in
middle and high school programs and less team teaching in elementary
schools Less school aid than the 59 percent awarded to renovate
Hastings is anticipated (Actual reimbursement for Hastings will not
arrive from the state until FY97 or 98 ) A long range program is
{ clearly required for the schools , with constant tussle between
maintenance and capital needs Among program changes in the works is
the newly proposed technology program that could cost up to $22 million
on five years As it is , Moynihan noted that two new classrooms will
have to be created to accommodate increased enrollments , the funding to
come from the maintenance budget
Also of considerable concern are mandated programs and computer advances
as well as the peak high school enrollment of about 1850 to arrive in
1999 How about the oldest school Fiske? Should a new Fiske be built
upon its spacious fields?
Ad Hoc Building Finance Committee 1/12/95 p 2
Committee member Garber asked about the committee' s coordinating efforts
in such considerations as moving the schools administration to Cary
Memorial Hall - and certainly not spending any more money on the
presently School Administration Building
Agreed that the committee should invite salient proponents of
renovations to future meetings , starting with DPW ( for the Town Barn)
and Chief Bergeron (for Fire Department facilities ) at the next meeting
Role of the committee in relationship to the Permanent Building
Committee was described as "political versus technical" , with the
Permanent Building Committee assuming the latter, once priorities and
course of action is set Relationship to the Capital Expenditure
Committee was also discussed, with the specialized assignment of this
j committee to focus on prioritizing the many needs for building
1 improvements , versus the overall financial planning viewpoint of CEC
Election of Chairman was accomplished by quick consensus Peter Kelley
Meeting adjourned at 9 12 p m until Friday, January 27 at 8 a m
1 Respectfully submitted,
Erna S Greene, Secretary to the Committee
1