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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-01-AC-min 04/01/2019 AC Minutes Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee (AC) April 1, 2019 Place and Time: Ellen Stone Room, Cary Memorial Building, 6:30 p.m.; moved to Robbins Room, Cary Memorial Building at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Glenn Parker, Chair; Sanjay Padaki, Vice-Chair; Alan Levine, Secretary; John Bartenstein; Ellen Basch; Eric Michelson; Nick Nichols; Carolyn Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager, Finance (non-voting, ex officio) Members)Absent: Richard Neumeier; Lily Manhua Yan Other Attendees (7:00 p.m.-7:23 p.m.): Steve McKenna, Town Meeting Member; Lisah Rhodes, Recreation Committee; Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) members Charles Lamb, Chair, David Kanter, Vice-Chair& Clerk; Sandy Beebee; Rod Cole; Frank Smith; and Wendy Manz The meeting was called to order at 6:38 p.m. Announcements and Liaison Reports Mr. Padaki reported that the Ad hoc Crematory Advisory Committee was meeting at 7 p.m. this evening and was expecting to finalize its interim report for presentation to the 2019 Annual Town Meeting (ATM). The report supports keeping options open for building a crematory at Westview Cemetery at some point in the future, but it does not include a financial analysis for such a project. Mr. Parker reported that he has prepared a two-page report that he will deliver to the ATM under Article 2. He reviewed the assignments for oral reports to be made to the ATM, as discussed at the March 27, 2019 meeting of this Committee. Mr. Parker reported that the School Committee may request reconsideration of Article 39: Amend Zoning Bylaw-Limited Site Plan Review(Citizen Article). There was discussion about the Dover Amendment, and how it impacts construction on school properties. There was consensus that this Committee would not weigh in on the article. Mr. Parker also reported that a citizen may recommend an amendment to Article 38: Amend Zoning Bylaw Map, 186 Bedford Street. Ms. Kosnoff reported that the Select Board (SB) had voted to remove Article 27: Appropriate for Authorized Capital Improvements from the Consent Agenda that is to be presented to the ATM. The removal allows the Recreation Committee to make a request under this article for additional funds for the newly designed center track complex, if it chooses to do so. That committee is meeting at 6:00 p.m. on April 3, 2019 to determine its position. The SB plans to wait and hear from that committee before taking a position on the article. Ms. Kosnoff reported that she had forwarded tax deferral information to Mr. Parker and Mr. Bartenstein. Currently, approximately $1,800,000 is owed under a program that allows property taxes to be deferred by eligible residents until the property is sold by the resident or the resident's estate. It was noted that this does not have a material impact on the budget. Minutes A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes for March 27, 2019. The motion passed. VOTE: 7-0 1 04/01/2019 AC Minutes NOTE: Mr. Padaki departed for the Ad hoc Crematory Advisory Committee meeting. The Meeting Moved to Robbins Room to Join the CEC Meeting Ms. Rhodes was available to answer questions about Article 27. An overview of the article included the following information: • The base bid for replacing the center track complex project includes artificial turf. • The bids received included responses to the "add-alternates", which must be accepted in the order cited in the solicitation for bids. • The cost of the project would remain within the 2018 ATM appropriation if the first two add-alternates (extended warranty and an organic infill for the synthetic surface) were to be included. Adding the hybrid surface would result in a cost exceeding the appropriation. Upgrading the lights to a higher level of footcandles would further increase the cost of the project. The five-member Recreation Committee has split 2-2 on the question whether to pursue additional funding under this article and plans to meet this Wednesday to break the tie. Ms. Rhodes provided additional information, which included, but was not limited to the following: • The project design described in the 2018 appropriation request included a hybrid surface in- field. • In the summer, the temperature on a synthetic surface may be higher than on a grass or hybrid field; this can be a problem for children. • Synthetic turf can handle the most hours of field use per year. Before maintenance is needed, a grass field can handle approximately 900 hours of use per year, a hybrid field can handle approximately 1500 hours of use; and artificial turf can handle approximately 2500 hours of use. • Additionally, synthetic turf does not need to be fed or mowed. • The Lexington School Department supports installation of the brighter lights and artificial turf to best meet the needs of high school athletes. The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sara Arnold Approved: Exhibits • Agenda, posted by Mr. Parker, Chair • Letter from Lexington Public Schools to the Lexington Recreation Committee, December 18, 2018, regarding new design for Center Track Complex 2