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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-10-14-ASCC-min.pdf ADAMS SCHOOL CONVERSION COMMITEEE October 14, 1981 A public informational meeting of the Adams School Conversion Committee was held in Cary Hall, Cary Memorial Building, on Wednesday, October 8th at 8 00 P.M. Chairman Crain, Mrs Fisher, Mrs McArthur, Mrs Levine, Mrs Currin, Mr Kernan, Mr Boyadjian, Mr Fuery; Mrs Phear, Special Assistant to the Town Manager; Mr Bowyer, Planning Director; Mrs Snow, Clerk, were present Mr Crain opened the meeting by reading the Selectmen's draft Charge to the Adams School Conversion Committee and introducing the Committee members and staff in attendance He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to gain input from interested citizens on the future use of the. Adams School Build- ing In response to questions regarding rescheduling of the public information meeting from October 7 to October 14, Mr Crain explained that the observance of Yom Kippur on October 7 and 8 had not been taken into consideration at the time when the scheduling was set Mr Crain asked for comments from the audience Roland Gubisch, Chairman of the East Lexington Neighborhood Association, offered several points to the new Committee as follows A :new usecould redetermine the use of the only access: to the recreation area Non-school use of the parking spaces The spaces serve the neighborhood as an overflow to churches ' lots The entrance/exit intersect a high traffic area The appearance of the building should be in harmony with adjacent struc- tures in the East Village Historic District Any new use should relate to the existing neighborhood Change in use presents a danger of the building becoming a shell Arthur Smith, Precinct 2, gave the view of the Follen Church as being in favor of continued use of the Adams School building by the Waldorf School(first priority) but added that the church would support use for low/moderate income housing Robert Pressman, Precinct 2, stated that the charge to the committee should be amended to explicitly reference low/moderate income housing He noted that Adams School was included in the 1979 Housing Policy as being suitable for such use and that in the Planning Board's 1981 report to Town Meeting on housing goals, the quota for family housing is not being met He recapped the Fair Housing Policy as passed by the 1981 Annual Town Meeting He advocated that further consideration be given to the Niles and Sacred Heart housing proposals (supported by the original Adams School Committee, since he felt the objections to those proposals could have been overcome if they had more specifically spelled out He gave his observations of the current low use of the recreation area, and felt that the use would increase and maintenance and appearance of the area be improved with housing use -2- Adams School Meeting October 14, 1981 Mr Pressman gave projected figures on traffic use in conjunction with housing use and arrived at an increase in flow of 1 to 11% He saw no particu- lar hazard withrespect to the Mass Ave. entrance/exit to the facility He felt that the parking spaces on the Adams School property could be reorganized to advantage and advised a formal traffic and parking study be made He noted presence of 39 , 38, 48 cars on the Adams grounds on three Sundays He' sees housing use at Adams as an opportunity for progress with housing goals James Barry did not agree with Mr Pressman's Sunday parking count and spoke in favor of continued Waldorf School use of the property Housing use would generate parking all days of the week Pat Swanson felt that the use chosen should have no negative impact on the community and should be of the greatest financial benefit to the Town as a whole She noted that Adams School use for housing had been opposed by those who had supported the Housing Policy Fred March, Precinct 6, parent of a student at Waldorf School, pointed out the benefits of having a local private school as well as public schools in the Town Mary Shunney stated the need for housing but noted that funding for low/ moderate income housing is no longer easily available and if such a proposal is finally accepted, there would be a possibility of the building staying empty while attempts at financing were being made She feels that if the Waldorf School continues, financial arrangements should be made so that it pays its fair share Steven Levy, Waldorf School Chairman, Precinct 5, gave the history of the school since 1971 and expressed hope that the school can stay in Lexington permanently He gave assurance that the financial requirements can be addressed He expects maximum enrollment of 200 students Pat Brandes, Waldorf School, indicated that either sale or long time lease would be acceptable to the School and that a Statement of Good Financial Stand- ing of the School can be made public The access to the recreation and parking areas would be maintained by the School and they would hope to contribute to the configuration of East Village buildings, i e Library, Follen Church and to bring cultural and educational events to the neighborhood A graduate of Waldorf School in Pennsylvania gave benefits of her atten- dance and graduation and the ongoing benefits of her course of study She advo- cated continued use of Adams for Waldorf School Mary Shunney asked about current coverage of maintenance expenses under the rent paid by Waldorf School Fred March spoke of the cooperation of both children and parents who volun- teer to maintain and improve the appearance of the school Mr Crain said that Mrs Shunney's question was difficult to answer at this time, but pointed out that preventative and structural maintenance has not been addressed lately -3- Adams School Meeting. October 14, 1981 Arthur Smith noted that the moderately priced units offered by develop- ers of Potters Pond and Morrow Crossing condominium developments had not been acquired because HUD funding was not available. He asked if the Adams School building was sold to the Waldorf School, coul the funds realized be used to purchase the Morrow Crossing and Potter Pond units, thus advancing the housing quota Pat Brandes, Waldorf School noted report of the School Re-use Conference, which recommends short term leasing of such buildings as Adams as a preventa- tive tovandalism and continued maintenance Jim Hester, whose sons attend Waldorf, asked for other considerations than financial in the decision on use; certain intangibles such as contributions to the life of the Town Thought should be given to what role the use of the building would play in Lexington as well as the immediate neighborhood He is in favor of continued use of the school by Waldorf James Barry noted that the enrollment of. 28 Lexington children in Waldorf should be considered as a means for decrasing the public school budget Karen Whyte of Precinct 5, graduate and also a parent of a Waldorf student, spoke in favor the Waldorf School use. Roland Gubisch requested a traffic/parking usage study He noted the high use of the Adams playground relative to parking aid the improved appearance of the school He wants continued use as a school Mr Drake, Gleason Road, stated that he moved to Lexington from Oregon because of the Waldorf School and noted other benefits of sub-community the school provides Mr Breslin, Curve Street, neighbor of Adams School, and parent of former Adams School students, favored Waldorf School use He noted use of the play- ground in all seasons , and questioned use of Adams to meet housing goals He advocates scattered site, not multi-family, low income housing Fred March, resident since 1972, learned of the Waldorf School operation after arrival in Town and now has children enrolled He said the sacrifices necessary to pay tuition are worthwhile in the light of the special kind of education received He was, however, concerned that financial demands on the Waldorf School could place tuitions out of reach Mr Fuery asked Mr Pressman the time frame of his observances of the use of the Adams playground Mr Pressman has been observing the use for the 9 years of his residency, but based his report of use on the past year Mrs Fisher stated that the first decision by the Committee would be whether to sell, lease or transfer the Adams property She asked input from the audience on the subject -4- Adams School Meeting October 14, 1981 Mr Barry stated his personal preference as long term leasing at a high enough rent to maintain the property This. would keep the site in Town owner- ship for future public school use if needed His second preference would be to accept the Waldorf School's offer to purchase Don Wilson, Precinct 2, advocated sale to avoid the problems and expense of maintenance If the property is sold, there should be a legal restriction that the Town •has first refusal, at fair market value, in the case of resale Mrs Levine said she has only heard discussion of school or housing uses for the Adams property and asked for alternatives Mr Wilson pointed out that office space seems. to be needed in Town and that possibly a higher selling or leasing price could be realized by that use Pat Swanson noted that there may be other options and favored long term leasing which would give time and flexibility for econsideration of the deci- sion on use in the future Mr Levy, Waldorf ,School, pointed. out that the school needs some kind of commitment before too long and cannot exist on a day-to-day basis indefinitely He stated that the school is financially able to carry the use Scott Fisher, Precinct 2, 30-year resident, noted previous new school con- struction for population projection which did not materialize Lexington popu- lation could expand in future The Town should keep the site for future school use if needed Barbara Fuery, referring to traffic, said she felt threatened by heavy generation of traffic by either housing or any additional commiercial use in the area & resident noted that public opinion at. the Follen Church meeting indicated nearly unanimous favor of the Waldorf School use and questioned why, in the. light of that, two housing proposals were entertained and approved by the Committee He asked for the view of the new Committee on the Waldorf School use Mr. Fueiy 'said he=-was".persopally-hesitant= to express. his 'views' .until the had had an opportunity to review information gained at this evening's meeting Mr Crain said that the Committee members need time to consider their positions and that it was not proper to take a straw vote at this pthint in the process Mr Crain thanked the audience for its comments and announced that the next Adams School meeting would take place on Octobe 21, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room. It will be an open meeting which the public may attend The meeting adjourned at 9 45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Marion H. Snow