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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-09-REC-min Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Tel: (781) 698-4800 Christian Boutwell, Vice Chair Fax: (781) 861-2747 Carl Fantasia Lisa O’Brien Claire Sheth Renen Bassik Weiwei Li Recreation Committee Minutes of Meeting October 9, 2024 A Working Session of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 in person and via Zoom as a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm in Room 242 of the Lexington Community Center. Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Renen Bassik, Weiwei Li, and Claire Sheth Members Not Present: Christian Boutwell and Carl Fantasia Staff Present: Mark Barrett, Facilities Project Manager, Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation, Mike Cronin, Director of Public Facilities, and Dave Pinsonneault, DPW Director Others Present: John Albright (Dore + Whittier), Michael Dowhan (SMMA), Logan Finney (SMMA), Jacob Greco (Dore + Whittier), Kathleen Lenihan (School Committee liaison), Erin Prestileo (SMMA) 1. LHS Building Project – Discussion with SMMA This is the second meeting that SMMA is having with the Recreation Committee about the Lexington High School Building project. Representatives from SMMA and Dore + Whittier were in attendance to provide information surrounding the decision-making process for the project and collect feedback and answer questions that Committee members had. Kathleen Lenihan, School Committee liaison and Chair of the School Building Committee (SBC), stated that while at the most recent SBC meeting that was held on Monday, September 30th, while no official vote was taken, there seemed to be a growing consensus among the SBC members for the C.5b –Bloom (revised) design option. In this version, the school building has been rotated so the Center #1 baseball field, Center #2 softball field, and Center #7 multi-use field would not be permanently impacted post-construction. Ms. Lenihan indicated that the phased-in-place option that is under consideration is the D.2 – Weave option. On Monday, November 4 th, the SBC has a retreat scheduled for that afternoon beginning at 12:00pm that the Recreation Committee is invited to attend, followed by a summit with various boards and committees that evening. Renen Bassik asked how the discussion around the Field House ties into the overall school project. Ms. Lenihan said that the options for the Field House, which include renovation, renovation and addition, and new construction, are still under consideration and have not been finalized as of yet. The funding source also needs to be identified. Regardless of the design option and funding source that are chosen, a debt exclusion vote for the Field House will be needed. Ms. Lenihan stated that a renovated Field House could be included with the LHS MSBA project whereas any new Field House options would require a separate debt exclusion ballot. The presentation slides from the September 30th SBC Meeting are attached to the meeting minutes. Michael Dowhan from SMMA reviewed the various designs that are being considered, beginning with C.5b – Bloom (revised). Mr. Dowhan informed the Committee that there are 2 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 currently six versions of the Bloom option under review. All options include a full 72,000 square foot Field House on the site. The two main options for the Field House are (1) where the Field House sites on the footprint of the existing Field House and (2) where the Field House is flipped to a different location on the parcel. Mr. Dowhan highlighted the potential issues with the first option, such as visual impact and building relationship issues. The second option would keep the parking location as it is, maintaining a central hub for various programs. He also mentioned the need to assess the visual impacts of the Field House’s new location and the potential for mitigation. Rick DeAngelis, Chair of the Recreation Committee, asked if all Field House options are still in play and Ms. Lenihan responded by saying that the SBC will vote on which design option will move forward into schematic design, including the layout of the Field House, on Tuesday, November 12th. In addition to the Field House, Mr. Dowhan discussed the layout and potential changes for various sports fields and parking. The goal is to maintain a balance between proximity to the school, accessibility, and distance from residential properties and wetlands. Erin Prestileo from SMMA added that they are very mindful of the noise and light concerns. Under the revised Bloom design option, Ms. Prestileo indicated that the athletic fields located by Waltham Street would not be lighted. Mr. Dowhan then reviewed the D.2 – Weave design option. This option calls for new phased-in- place construction over the existing footprint. During construction, the athletic fields would be impacted as there would be as many as 48 modular classrooms during the height of the construction. Post-construction, all athletic fields at the Center Recreation Complex would remain in their existing locations. The final design option that Mr. Dowhan reviewed was C.1d – Branch. In this option, Mr. Dowhan explained that the Center #2 softball field and Worthen Road practice field would remain in their current locations in the end and all other fields would be relocated. Mike Cronin, Director of Public Facilities, reiterated that Center #2 and the Worthen Road practice field would be restored at the end of the project, but they would be impacted and temporarily offline during construction. Members of the Committee then discussed the various design options. Claire Sheth informed the Committee that the athletic fields would be brought back online substantially sooner under the Bloom options as compared to the others. Ms. Prestileo added that SMMA will work with the Town to determine peak use times on specific fields to coordinate when work should be completed to minimize the impact. Ms. Sheth expressed her concerns about the prominence of the school building in the Branch option. Conversely, she believes that the Bloom option is more efficient and there is a greater sense of park cohesiveness and connectivity under the Bloom option. Renen Bassik questioned the feasibility of moving the Field House away from the school building in terms of sight lines and potentially placing a building in the middle of athletic fields. Weiwei Li asked if the Committee should give SMMA its preferences tonight and Ms. Prestileo indicated that would be helpful. Mr. DeAngelis stated the purpose of the Recreation Committee is to maintain, preserve, and improve the Town’s recreation infrastructure. The Center Recreation Complex is a community park and anything that can be done to preserve the character and cohesiveness of the park long-term should be the goal. Mr. DeAngelis believes that it would be beneficial to keep as many athletic fields in their current locations as possible. The Committee then discussed the feasibility and long-term implications of implementing geothermal systems. While the near-term benefits are promising, concerns were raised about potential maintenance needs every 10-20 years and the impact on field renovations. Questions were raised about the depth of the wells and their location below the frost line to mitigate issues like expansion and contraction. Ms. Prestileo indicated that when completing test borings, the contractor was able to drill down 800 feet and that geothermal is efficient and the payback is extremely short. Mr. Cronin added that there are 75 wells under the Hastings Field and the system has the ability to isolate and correct any problems that may occur. The wells at Hastings 3 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 are well below the frost line. Mr. DeAngelis inquired about potential energy release issues with geothermal systems and Ms. Prestileo clarified that it is a simple heat exchange process. Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation, reviewed a list of field amenities and enhancements that could potentially be considered during the design phase, as well as amenities that will need to be restored or replicated once the school building construction has ended. A copy of the complete list is attached to the meeting minutes and this list will continue to be updated moving forward. Mr. DeAngelis said that with “Friday Night Lights” growing in popularity, it would be great to have a lighted football field. Mr. Bassik stated that access to public bathrooms is an important topic in town. Mr. Dowhan replied by saying there is a building measuring 25’ x 40’ included in the design to be used for public restrooms and a concession stand. Through park elements and such amenities as lit walkways, Ms. Prestileo and members of the Committee also considered the incorporation of the whole community into the design given the age range of individuals that use this community park. Ms. Prestileo added that all new athletic fields will be sod at a minimum and alternative playing surfaces will be discussed during the design phase. Ms. Sheth said that spots for benches and memorial benches throughout the park should be earmarked. Committee members acknowledged that in-ground dugouts are expensive and would limit potential other uses of the field, so that amenity is not a high priority on the list. The Committee also identified the need for connectivity between fields and additional amenities like grandstands, concessions, restrooms, fencing, and scoreboards when relocating existing facilities during construction. Mr. Dowhan said that from a cost estimate standpoint, it was assumed that all scoreboards and amenities would be new. When it comes to Article 97, Mr. DeAngelis thought it would be worthwhile to invite Town Counsel to an upcoming meeting to walk the Committee through the Article 97 process. As far as next steps are concerned, Ms. Prestileo said that once the Town decides on the design option for the high school building and Field House, then SMMA’s work will begin in earnest. Ms. Lenihan reiterated that the SBC has a retreat and summit scheduled for Monday, November 4th. The next meeting that the Recreation Committee will have with SMMA is scheduled for Wednesday, November 6th. The submission to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) will be completed in late November or December. Schematic design will take place during January-August 2025 during which the project budget will be developed. Mr. DeAngelis commended the process of narrowing down the design options and thanked representatives from SMMA and Dore + Whittier for attending the meeting. The next meeting of the Recreation Committee is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 16th at 6:30pm. The October 9th, 2024 meeting of the Recreation Committee adjourned at 8:08pm. Respectfully submitted, Peter Coleman and Christine Dean Assistant Director of Recreation/Community Center Director The following documents distributed at the meeting are attached:  September 30th LHS School Building Committee Meeting Presentation Slides  Center Recreation Complex Field Amenities & Enhancements List