HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-03-31-BFC-min.pdf TOWN OF LEXINGTON
AD HOC BUILDING FINANCE COMMITTEE
Minutes of Meeting March 31 1995 in Cary Memorial Library Trustees '
Room, as approved April 21 , 1995
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Kelley at 8 11 a m with all
committee members except Kennedy and Moore present Also attending were
Town Engineer Fields and Director of School Building Operation Moynihan,
Superintendent of Building Maintenance Fred Sweet and Ron Grammont of
the Capital Expenditures Committee
Minutes of March 24 1995 were VOTED approved as amended
Capital Expenditures recommendations for financing 10-year capital
program for town facilities include advocating that debt exclusion that
was voted for Pine Meadows be renewed (by another debt exclusion
override vote) when that debt is retired so that the town will avoid
roller-coaster financial conditions and be able to put forth a steady
effort , Grammont pointed out In agreement with a Capital Expenditures
Committee preference, committee VOTED the following policy statement
recommendation It is Ad Building Finance Committee sentiment that
reimbursed monies be returned to the same purpose for which they were
devoted Town Engineer Fields stated that in order for such a policy to
be adopted, Comptroller John Ryan would need to be consulted Grammont
will do this
Committee Resort text was given final touches It was recommended that
a copy go to Town Manager and Selectmen prior to submitting to Town
Meeting, which should happen during the week of April 10
School Plans for the next 10 years will probably need careful considera-
tion building utilization and possible new construction to meet enroll-
ments that continue to rise and are for certain not dropping The
temporary classrooms at Estabrook are now seven years old and already
require intense maintenance, according to Moynihan They might last for
ten years Moynihan recommended that the committee check available
sites - adjacent to Harrington School , off Young street (needs addition
of a privately-owned land-locked parcel to attain sufficient area) and
the Fiske playing fields that could be utilized for constructing a
replacement for the aging school Committee will next meet during
school vacation week at Estabrook to tour that school and other nearby
town facilities
Should Committee Support Library's Request for Preliminary Planning
Funds? After some debate, the committee agreed they should "support the
effort" The sum of $47 ,000 would be a more likely cost for the scope
of the project Since the state requires a "letter of intent" to be
submitted by October, an architect should be at work by July 1 That
means advertising should happen now for "letters of interest" by
architects The State Library Board will be evaluating schematic
drawings and plans between submittal date March 1 and June 1 with final
approval/go-ahead anticipated July, 1996
Concern was expressed about the town' s need to vote an appropriation
before knowing about the state's approval Full town funding commitment
1 will be needed by January, 1997 The Capital expenditures committee has
Ad Hoc Building Finance Committee Minutes 3/31/95 p 2
already cautioned the Library trustees and planning committee regarding
this concern The Capital Expenditures Committee asked if it is really
the "Library's turn" , advising that the consultant should carefully
define the library's "real needs "
Among the immediate problems identified in the Archetype study were the
water problems with the stucco exterior surface, even after repairs
The ad hoc BFC agreed to report themselves in favor of the library ' s
entering the competition for state construction reimbursement and that
hiring an architectural consultant was an appropriate first step
Report on tour of Harrinaton School noted that the capital request would
be for $350 ,000 and would be money well spent Request to fund a new
roof would be presented to the 1996 Town Meeting for work to be done in
1997
Meeting adjourned at 9 15 to a tour of the library, including all areas
from rooftop cooling tower to basement/ground level boiler room by way
of too-steep wheelchair ramp and delivery ramp with wet stucco siding
alongside The next committee meeting will be at 8 a m Friday, April
21 at Estabrook School , followed by a tour of the animal shelter and
cemetery buildings
Respectfully submitted,
t -t�c.
Erna S Greene, Secretary
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