HomeMy WebLinkAboutSBFRC- Ad Hoc Stone Building Feasiblility/Re-Use Committee Charge - May 2018 AD HOC STONE BUILDING FEASIBILITY/RE-USE COMMITTEE
Members: Nine. If possible, members should include residents or individuals working in
Lexington who have background in or experience in one or more of the following:
• an architect;
• a museum professional, preferably with curator experience;
• a representative of the Cary Memorial Library Trustees;
• a representative from the Historical Commission;
• a representative from the Historic Districts Commission;
• a member of the Lexington arts community;
• an East Lexington resident;
• a member of the business community;
• interest in tourism and economic development.
Appointed by: Board of Selectmen. The Board will designate the Committee Chair.
Length of Term: Upon completion and presentation of deliverables to the Board of Selectmen in
accordance with the established deliverables schedule as outlined below.
Staff Support: Assistant Town Manager for Development
Ex Officio/Liaisons (non-voting): Capital Expenditures Committee; Appropriation Committee
Meeting Times: As determined by the Committee.
A minimum of three meetings to solicit public comment,preceded by surveys, forums,
social media or other forms of public input.
Committee Goal: To preserve the Stone Building for reuse by researching the feasibility of alternative
uses for the building, thereby supporting future Town investment to implement the
preservation recommendations of the 2009 Historic Structures Report.
The Stone Building is believed to be one of the earliest lyceums in America. It was
built in 1833, and speakers included Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau,
Charles Sumner, and Josiah Quincy. Jr. The lyceum hall is on the second floor. The
2009 Menders Torrey Spencer report recommends that the second floor be used as it
was historically, as an assembly room for public lectures and community meetings.
The first floor was believed to have been living quarters.
Committee Role: This committee will prepare a feasibility study on possible re-uses of the historic Stone
Building in order to:
1) implement the recommended improvements in the 2009 Menders, Spencer, Torrey
preservation plan("the Plan"), and
2) be consistent with both the deeded use restrictions ("the Deed"), and the Secretary
of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties ("the Standards"),
and
3)recognize that operating the Stone Building for public use will have associated costs,
and the type and degree of users'rental or lease interest must be gauged to also project
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whether a portion of the operating costs could be covered by lease revenue from the
future user and uses. This feasibility study will therefore help determine what use(s)
justify budgeting further preservation and ADA accessibility investments in the
building, and
4) to determine the feasibility and market demand for uses of the Stone Building
consistent with the Deed and the Standards.
Deliverables: Report addressed to Board of Selectmen on the feasibility of the proposed use no
later than November, 2018.
Prior to serving as a member of this committee, members are required to:
1. Acknowledge receipt of the Summary of the Conflict of Interest Statute. Further, to
continue to serve on the Committee the member must acknowledge annually receipt of
the Summary of the Conflict of Interest Statute. Said summary will be provided by and
acknowledged to the Town Clerk.
2. Provide evidence to the Town Clerk that the appointee has completed the on-line
training requirement required by the Conflict of Interest statute.Further,to continue to
serve on the Committee, the member must acknowledge every two years completion
of the on-line training requirement.
Reference: 2009 Historic Structures Report, Menders, Torrey Spencer, Stone Building
htips://www.lexin tg onma.gov/stone-building
(Link at top left of the webpage)
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
https://www.pps.gov/!ps/standards.htm
https://www.Ms.gov/ips/standards/treatment-guidelines-2017.pdf
Seven purposes defined in Stone Building deed:
1. A branch library
2. A public reading room
3. A public art museum
4. A meeting place for classes
5. Public lectures authorized by the Trustees of Cary Library
6. A room for children and youth of Lexington under the supervision of the Trustees
7. Any other purposes that the Trustees find consistent with the Library's mission.
Charge adopted by the Selectmen on May 21, 2018
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