HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-07-26-BFC-min.pdf TOWN OF LEXINGTON
AD HOC BUILDING FINANCE COMMITTEE
Minutes of Meeting July 26 1995 meeting in the library of Bridge
School , as approved August 9, 1995
The meeting was called to order at 7 40 a m by Chairman Kelley, with
all committee members except Pierce present Director of School
Building Operation Moynihan also attended
In review and approval of Minutes of the July 14 1995 committee
meeting, members noted that the old finial atop the Bandstand had
already been rebuilt once before disintegrating The new finial , to be
made of redwood, will cost about $700 and the church will donate it
School space needs assessment study will be done some time in September,
according to the chairman's recent conversation with Superintendent
Young Reported by several that School Department projections of
enrollments and enrollment trends are usually quite close to reality
Expectation from this committee Chairman Kelley told committee members
that the selectmen are expecting a statement or report from them by mid-
October This report could consist of a response to the Archetype
report updated with findings from site visits admixed with "good common
sense" Various town boards could use this to evolve policy for the
1996 Annual Town Meeting Some of the issues touched upon in discussing
the direction of the committee
A bond issue will be coming up, but when?
A lump bond or annual allotment?
"Programmed maintenance seems to be favored by the PBC and CEC"
Problems should be defined and alternate solutions presented
Concern was expressed that there is not enough money in the current
budget to fund a 21E study of the Town Barn building footprint
area Eagle pointed out that the building presents other issues
such as air quality
Should the Hartwell Avenue former sanitary landfill site be
considered for future reuse? Venting noxious gases is problematic
Despite all the problems in Lexington town buildings, Eagle
volunteered, town facilities are among the best
The possibility of a unified safety services facility or other
reconfiguration should be discussed and considered
After Labor Day the committee should also carefully look at the
Capital Expenditures Committee report Should longer bonding be
considered? Effect on the tax levy should be factored in
The committee should look at political as well as practical issues
Maybe the committee should conclude (and expire) next spring
Ad Hoc Building Finance Committee Minutes 7/26/95 - Page 2
Meeting adjourned to a tour of Bridge and Hastings schools at 8 17 a m
The next committee meeting will be on Wednesday, August 9, at 7 30 a m
at Diamond Middle School and will include touring the Town Barn and Main
Fire Station on Bedford Street
Respectfully submitted,®®
Erna S Greene, Secretary
Notes on tour of Bridae School The enrollment bulge is leveling off in
the elementary schools and now moving up to the secondary levels Only
28 percent of Lexington households now contain schoolchildren Both
Bridge and its twin school Bowman are in good condition Committee
members said that it is difficult to present to the town the current
school space needs when enrollments are now considerably less than they
were when the buildings were first built Moynihan gave examples of
space requirements for libraries by the State Board of Education
Today's school program needs are asking for more space
Notes on tour of Hastinas School The new library was shown to the
committee, who found it quite spacious, at least double the previous
one Moynihan asserted that in order to meet state requirements, AV
supply closet and computer lab had to be counted as library components
New aluminum double-hung windows are scheduled to arrive in a few days
and to be installed in the coming month Moynihan took the committee to
the lower level to show how special needs rooms had been carved from
hall space and how the kitchen had be renovated The parking and all
paving and the entry areas are being renovated extensively