HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-02-10-BFC-min.pdf TOWN OF LEXINGTON
AD HOC BUILDING FINANCE COMMITTEE
Minutes of Meetina February 10 1995 in Room 111 Town Office Building,
as approved March 10 , 1995
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Peter Kelley at 8 35 a m
when a quorum was attained The following others were present
Committee members David Eagle, William Kennedy, and Walter Pierce and
staff member Superintendent of Building Maintenance Frederick Sweet
Cary Memorial Building Among the problems of the Cary building are
{ ventilation and the leaking outdoor granite front steps The water
comes into the men' s room and the old "smoking room" that is now used
fol. storage This is a problem similar to the one that kept an unused
staircase at Muzzey Condos under a tarpaulin for a long time The
chimney structure above the roof needs work, this is the main chimney
for the boiler The brick shell of the building was re-pointed well
about a decade ago Sweet noted that double-glazed windowed have been
installed in Cary Hall , but that other windows are original unimproved
ones
The old slate roof causes considerable yearly expenditure There is no
membrane underneath, the old felt liner having worn away long ago
{ Paint continually peels inside In addition, flashing and failing
gutters need work If workmen need to work on the roof , slates crack
with impact of their walking
The large attic beneath is insulated but insufficiently ventilated
Cary Hall ' s ceiling is of wire lathed plaster An old sprinkler
system' s piping runs throughout , its valves need renewal Concern was
expressed that some of the pipes may be sagging, and any failure or let-
go would down the entire ceiling The sprinkler system is an air-
pressure-filled
one It is supplemented inadequately by smoke detectors Committee
members commented that a sprinkler system would freeze if the heat were
turned off and asked if smoke and heat detectors would not provide
better warning Response was that the sprinkler system was an insurance
requirement to protect the building
Archetype' s facilities study estimated that about $90 ,000 in priority
repairs would be required, but it was noted that funding such a project
would be "tough"
Town Office Building was reported in good shape except for need of a new
copper valley and roof over the old section of the building No money
is budgeted for this in FY96, "roof work" on the building is put in
{ "year five"
Police Station, except for roof and exterior, the lower two levels are
now in good condition However , more ADA compliance work could be done
(Sweet noted that no town building fully meets ADA standards) Although
the ground and first floors are each handicapped accessible, there is no
elevator between the two or up to the second floor
Visitors ' Center and Cemetery Buildings need roof work, and the Animal
Shelter needs exterior work Some of these can be accomplished within
Ad Hoc Building Finance Committee Minutes 2/10/95 , p 2
current budgets , according to Sweet The Reservoir Building split brick
exterior needs water proofing (an especially water absorbent exterior
finish, several around the room noted) The Bandstand in Hastings Park
needs roof work (about $8 , 000) , ADA accessibility and ventilation of the
attic and storages spaces Eagle pointed out that Rotarians had been
working on the structure for free over the years However these
recommended improvements might be beyond their means The Senior
Center, always a difficult area to work in, needs air quality
improvement
Discussion of Munroe School , which is in an historic district , brought
forth questioning about the "life span" of a building as well as the
financial feasibility of spending the amount of money needed to renew
the bad roof , sprinkler system and ancient boiler Eagle reported that
the in-ground oil tank was filled and emptied of 4,000 gallons of oil
but did pass its test about three years ago but might present a problem
with changing rules The building was erected about 1913
Committee Role was succinctly characterized as "priorities but not
dollars , " when viability of capital appropriation for the forthcoming
fiscal year was mentioned
Approval of February 3 1995 Minutes as amended was VOTED
Plans for coming month(s) Agreed to meet February 17 but not February
24, during school vacation week The committee would next meet in
March, beginning with the 3rd Also agreed to continue reviewing
reports of building needs until better weather would ease facility
visits
Meeting adjourned at 9 30 p m
Respectfully submitted,
Erna S Greene, Secretary