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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-06-CEC-min �y w-AOR yrry. Minutes of the s \�� Lexington Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) Meeting n March 6, 2019 APRIL&", II,E XI NGT.O Location and Time: Town Office Building, Reed Room (111); 7:45 A.M. Members Present: Charles Lamb, Chair; David Kanter, Vice-Chair& Clerk; Sandy Beebee; Rod Cole (participated remotely; joining at 7:47 A.M.); Frank Smith; and Wendy Manz Members Absent: None Others Present: Sara Arnold, Recording Secretary Documents Presented: • Notice of CEC Meeting, March 6, 2019 • Draft#3 Minutes of the CEC Meeting, February 27, 2019 • Draft#2 CEC Report to 2019 Annual Town Meeting (ATM); Compiled by Mr. Kanter Call to Order: Mr. Lamb called the meeting to order at 7:46 A.M. Mr. Cole was reached by telephone and was given permission to participate remotely as he was unable to attend the meeting. Mr. Lamb noted that all votes, therefore, would be by roll call. Minutes: Mr. Kanter identified a correction for the Draft#3 Minutes for the February 27, 20197 CEC meeting. A Motion was made and seconded to approve said Minutes, as amended. Roll Call Vote: 6-0 Preparation for the 2019 ATM, including Review of Draft#2 of this Committee's Report to that Town Meeting: Mr. Kanter led a page-by-page review of Draft#2 of the CEC Report to 2019 ATM, to address/clarify comments/questions, make corrections, and verify the person responsible for additional actions needed to complete the report. Comments and/or votes taken included, but were not limited to, the following: • Information from the Board of Selectmen's (BoS') March 4th meeting: ➢ March 11 the The Town Manager to receive Motions for the Citizen Articles. ➢ March 18th: The deadline for comments on the Motions for Citizen Articles. • Appendix B with Acronyms & Abbreviations: Being prepared by Ms. Manz. • Executive Summary: Mr. Lamb to include reference to the need for a firing range for Police Department training instead of the possibility of a project to build a crematory at Westview Cemetery as that project is yet to be confirmed. • Text and Tables: Departmental/Office funding-history tables and text, need to include actions taken at the Special Town Meetings. That is not the case throughout the current draft. • Land Purchase Costs: Should be included in the total costs identified for projects discussed in the report, e.g., the Lexington Children's Program facility and the Fire and Rescue Department's swing space (173 Bedford Street). • The Ad hoc School Master Planning Committee recently noted that the School Department's operating budget cannot absorb costs for Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (commonly known as "FF&E") for its new facilities. • The Lexington Housing Assistance Board is considering an increase in its cap on income for housing assistance eligibility. • Article 4: Reduce Community Preservation Act (CPA) Surtax Rate from 3% to 1% Pursuant to G.L. c. 44B, § 16 (Citizen Article): Indefinite Postponement (IP) expected. Page 1 of 2 Minutes of the Lexington Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) Meeting March 6, 2019 Mr. Lamb expects to explain this Committee's opposition to this Article at Town Meeting when it is brought for a vote. • Article 6: Appropriate for Cremation Facility at Westview Cemetery: Ms. Beebee noted that this article was proposed by a group of citizens and not by the Ad hoc Crematory Advisory Committee. She will write the back matter in the report after the Motion is made available. • Article 14: Appropriate the FY2020 Community Preservation Committee Operating Budget and Community Preservation Act Projects: ➢ (b) Willard's Woods Site Improvements: This funding request is for a study to develop trails in Willard's Woods, but a recent email from David Kaufman indicates that the woods cannot accommodate 1.8 miles of trails as proposed. It was agreed to get additional information and re-visit this next week. ➢ (f) Athletic Field Complex at Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School: A Motion was made and seconded to support an IP of this proposal and to give Mr. Kanter the authority to ensure the wording in the report reflects this Committee's issues with it. Roll Call Vote: 6-0 • Article 15(b): Recreation Community Needs Assessment. A Motion was made and seconded to support this project. Roll Call Vote: 6-0 • Article 16: Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment: ➢ (e) Center Streetscape Improvements-Construction: Discussion was postponed until there is time to review the 75% design, due today. ➢ (f) Automatic Meter Reading System: Mr. Smith reported that the project is requesting approximately $6.0 million, but old meters need to be replaced whether or not this project is approved, and the net cost is estimated at $3+ million. The return-on-investment is de minimus, but the new system would be more equitable and could identify some leaks on a more-timely basis. It is expected that water rates would increase about 5% to pay for the full system. Ms. Beebee expressed opposition to the project; in her opinion, the benefits do not counteract the increase in costs to the residential homeowner. Others were conflicted and were not prepared to take a position. • Five-Year Capital Plan: Mr. Kanter agreed to distribute his suggestions for changes to the BoS' Five-Year Capital Plan to be included in this Committee's Five-Year Capital Plan. He noted that, as is our standing practice, every change would be footnoted. Further discussion of the distribution date for this Committee's report was postponed until next week. Adjourn: A Motion was made and seconded at 9:38 A.M. to adjourn. Roll Call Vote: 6-0. These Minutes were approved by the CEC at its meeting on March 13, 2019. Page 2 of 2