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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1957-01-23-CEC-min.pdf S eeeelaelvk MEETING OF THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE WITH MR. ERNEST CRERIE, CHAIRMAN, RECREATION COMMITTEE AND MR. DONALD HATHAWAY, CHAIRiRMAN,PLANNING BOARD January 23, 1957 Present for the Capital Expenditures Committee Mr Sanborn Brown, Chairman; Mr Norman Royle; Mesdames Arthur (Rosemary) Fitzgerald and James (Jean) Wanless, Secretary Absent Messrs. John A. Carrier and D. Sargent Goddard. On January 23 the Capital Expenditures Committee met with Mr Ernest Crerie, Chairman of the Recreation Committee and Mr Donald Hathaway, Chairman of the Planning Board, to find out their plans for future capital expenditures on Town recreation. Mr Brown explained that it is the job of this committee to predict the Capital expenditures for the next five years and to publish these figures in the printed report He said the Capital Expenditures Committee Report has been carrying 310,000 per year for recreation. He asked Mr. Crerie for a prediction of recreation capital expenditures for the next five years Mr. Crerie said he would like to give some background information on the Recrea- tion Committee. When the Recreation Committee was originally formed, its functions were not determined. In the past the Recreation Committee has acquired and developed facilities, even though they had no real right to do this. They were allowed to do it and there were no complaints. In 1952 the Recreation Committee decided to go before the Selectmen to determine their exact status. This was finally done in 1956 (At the Town Meeting last November 19, 1956, ARTICLE XXIX was added to Lexington General By-Laws ) Ever since Mr Crerie has been Chairman (22 or 3 years) he has wanted the legal status clarified. The Selectmen said what they thought the Committee should do; the Committee studied recreation committees in other towns and decided the Committee should be purely administrative. They did not know the future development of the town and where to purchase recreation areas. They now administrate the existing facilities With the new By-Law they have no power to acquire new facilities or equipment (capital expenses) They maintain and acquire expezad.ible equipment (bats, balls, etc.), have authority to hire a staff, issue permits for facilities, etc. They want to cooperate with the Planning Board. Mr Brown quoted from the new By-Law, Section 5 "The Recreation Committee shall carry on continuous study and planning in reference to the development, improvement, maintenance, and equipment of playgrounds and recreation centers in the Town and shall make recommendations thereon from time to time to the Board of Selectmen." Mr Crerie said that was not quite as they understood it. The Planning Board was to choose recreation areas and point out possibilities oY recreation. The Recreation Committee was to study the proposed area and recommend to the Planning Board the type of recreational facilities needed and cost of equipment. RF„CREATIOAT (cont.) page 2 Por Brown. "You mean the Recreation Committee would not initiate any plans — but would study areas the Planning Board has already chosen?" Mr. Crerie "Yes." Mr Brown. "What about Section 5 (quoted above) and recommending to the Selectmen?" Mr Crerie "The Planning Board is to recommend to the Selectmen. Actually the Planning Board and Recreation Committee are to work closely The Planning Board is to initiate the choice of a recreation area. The Recreation Committee will recommend for that specific area, when it is chosen, and estimate cost of supervision and expendible equipment. Mr. Royle asked how many such areas are there expected to be and the approximate cost of each. There was no answer Mr. Brown pointed out that the new By-Law does not mention the Planning Board. Mr. Hathaway said it is a question of spheres of operation. The Planning Board only recommends acquisition of land. The Recreation Committee then develops and utilizes the land -- so this involves capital expense; also for new equipment. He mentioned some areas, the Baskin land; an option on an area near Maiia Hastings School; a site on the "paint mine" area near the new Tech Built houses in the Robinson Road area; an area in the Sun Valley section. These last two may be acquired for a grant of $1 each. He said. "Once the land is acquired -- the development is up to the Recreation Committee." Ni Brown said. "We need a figure in dollars for the next five years." What does the Recreation Committee expect to spend on developing the land (grading, etc.)? What does the Planning Board expect to spend for land? Mr. Crerie said the Recreation Committee does not see how much they will spend until they know what play areas they are considering. Mr Hathaway pointed out that there are (1) the playgrounds already in existence and (2) the unknown -- the land to be acquired. Mr Crerie pointed out the heavy load carried by existing recreational facilities but could give no estimate for capital expenses. He hoped the Hayden Recreation Centre will help with the load. He pointed out that the Town Recreation Committee has not even been officially notified of the Hayden Recreation Centre and there is no exchange of information between the two. Mr Brown asked "Are there towns similar to Lexington who are ahead in acquiring land and equil(ing it as examples for Lexington to use in figuring in dollars an estimate for land and equipment in the next five years?" Mr Hathaway pointed out that the Planning Board asks for money to acquire options, not the land itself. Mr. Brown pointed out that the Capital Expenditures Committee must predict what the Town Meeting will be asked to vote for RECREATION (cont ) page 3 Mr Hathaway said the Planning Board has refused free areas offered to the Town when the areas are poor (as swampy); that some communities have their own common land (Five Fields and Sun Valley) Mr Crerie and Mr. Hathaway agreed they had no idea of the cost of developing or equiping the land which the Town may acquire. Mr Brown asked "Does the state Recreation Board have averages for towns similar to Lexington?" Mr. Hathaway said the problem is difficult as towns vary. He guessed that the average recommended for the purchase of land would not be over $2,000 per year ($1300 for Seabury land) Mr Brown asked the relative cost of development to the cost of the land. Mr Crerie said there is too great a variation. Such a cost depends on the type play area you want (something like Kineen's or more complicated) Mr Brown asked the Recreation Committee "How many baseball fields or play areas do you need?" Mr. Crerie said he could give no answer now Mrs. Fitzgerald asked. "Is it because of the Hayden Recreation Centre that there are no plans for the Town pool?" Mr. Crerie replied he wished the Town pool were better Over 20,000 attendance in the pool last summer. It would require $75,000 or more for a better pool, and all this expense would be in one year He estimated $112,500 for a better pool and said the Recreation Committee feels there is no chance of this passing add so they are not putting it in the warrant They carry the burden of being a "luxury committee" and so fight for nickels. Mr Brown asked. "If the Recreation Committee plans ahead, would the money be so hard to get?" Mr. Crerie pointed out that the high school did not go through easily; that a swimming pool is a luxury and a school a must. Mr. Brown said the Town has changed. Town Meeting voted for a new library, schools and Town office building recently Mr. Crerie said there will be a swimming pool in the Hayden Recreation Center so many will say the Town has two pools already He pointed out that he thinks it fine for the Town to gain a second pool, another gym and the other Hayden facilities. Mr Brown read from the 1955 and 1956 Report of Capital Expenditures Committee- including "Purchase and / or development of neighborhood play areas $10,000 per year " He said, "The Capital Expenditures Committee would like to be able to print something specific to help predict the tax rate. It is not fair to say the Recreation Committee has no plans for the next five years." Mr Crerie said the Recreation Committee and Planning Board still do not see RECREATION (cont.) page 4 eye to eye on what "development" is. The Recreation Committee does not accept grading, etc., as being in their budget. -(The Planning Board says they only recommend acquisition of land.) The Recreation Committee are only administrators Mr Brown asked "Who changes the raw land to a playground?" Mr. Crerie replied. "The Planning Board." Mr. Hathaway said there is a void between the two The Planning Board only acquires the land. Mr. Crerie said the Recreation Committee is not equipped to decide about grading, etc. They are laymen and do not have this knowledge. The Recreation Committee is administrative They appoint a staff and replace equipment Mr. Hathaway said. "Clarification for the Recreation Committee is needed for section 5 of the new By-Law Article XXIX." Best to call on the Town counsel to interpret "development, improvement" The Public Works Department will give information on grading, etc. Mr. Crerie said -- regarding section 5 -- "the Recreation Committee will study and plan working with the Planning Board but will not do the actual work." P+Ir Crerie said the Town counsel was in on the writing of the new Article. It was written in the spirit he has explained The Recreation Committee will help plan with the Planning Board, but will not do the actual developing. The Article does not say the Recreation shall or will do it. Mr Brown pointed out that there are capital expenditures in this void area. Mr. Crerie said he can not give a figure (for these capital expenditures) Mr. Royle said the Recreation Committee plans and recommends to the Selectmen. The Kineen's Pond area was supposed to cost about $4500 to develop but actually cost about $10,000, Mr. Hathaway suggested the Capital Expenditures Committee Report continue with the old statement and $10,000 per year His best guess is one new area each year. The nester plan will be complete in about one year. (75% over all recreation laid out ) The paint mine area could be picnic and camping area. Sun Valley a picnic area. Mx Royle asked who does the upkeep on ice rinks, etc.? This is an operating expense. Mr Crerie said the Department of Public Works and Park Department do some and Fire Department floods the rinks Mr Hathaway said development of the "old res" area would cost much over $10,000. Mr Crerie said the Recreation Committee have discussed the "old res" development which would be very costly It was dropped in favor of planning several small areas. Until the Planning Board finishes their complete study of the Town, nothing is concrete. Mr Hathaway mention development of the Baskin and reservoir areas. He said several years ago the Recreation Committee (with Burt Gustin) brought in a package deal on recreation which was turned down. Unfortunate. More recently the Woodhaven recreation area was turned down. 1 RECREATION (cont.) page 5 Mr. Crerie said at first the neighbors were for it and then later the same ones were against it. The Planning Board can picture the Town as a whole. Mr Brown asked when this master plan will be ready. Mr. Hathaway said he hoped at the end of 1957. The Planning Board is trying to avoid speculation. They wanted some land in East Lexington; offered the owner $3y000 for 8 acres (he paid much less for it) and he wanted $10,000. The Planning Board is recommending recreation land in a general area and not being specific (so choice of ten or more from whom to acquire the land) Mostly they are negotiating with subdividers and this will cost little or nothing. In East Lexington they may swap tax title land for recreation area. Hope to get Seabury land by trading. Future subdivisions may come on Burnham land and-Hayden land. In answer to a question, Mr Crerie said the Recreation Committee has no specific plans for additional playing fields After talking to a group from the Lexington Tennis Association, the Committee does not plan to re-surface the practice tennis court this year Mr Hathaway said he thought the Capital Expenditures Committee had performed a valuable job in pointing out this void, No doubt time was saved. Mr Crerie said that Section 5 spirit could have been more clearly defined. The Recreation Committee is trying to abide by the Article as they recommended it and understand it Both Mr Hathaway and Mr Crerie thanked the Capital. Expenditures Committee and left The Capital Expenditures Committee plans to meet again on Thursday, February 7