HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-15-CEC-ATM-rptCAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
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APRIL 19'""
REPORT TO THE
2021 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING (ATM)
Released March 15, 2021
Submitted by:
Charles Lamb, Chair
David G. Kanter, Vice -Chair & Clerk
Sandy Beebee
Rodney Cole
Wendy Manz
Frank Smith
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
See Appendix C at the end of the Report for a Summary of
Warrant Articles and Sub -Articles addressed in this report.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Table of Contents
Foreword...................................................................................................................................................
1
The Mission of the Capital Expenditures Committee................................................................................
3
Howto Read This Report ...........................................................................................................................
3
Summary of FY2022 Capital -Budget Requests.....................................................................................
4
CapitalBudget............................................................................................................................................
6
CapitalProjects................................................................................................................................
6
The Community Preservation Act (CPA)........................................................................................
7
EnterpriseFund Projects................................................................................................................
10
Revolving -Fund Projects...............................................................................................................
11
Five -Year Capital Plan...........................................................................................................................
11
Conservationand Open Space..................................................................................................................
16
LexingtonCommunity Center..................................................................................................................
17
Fire& Rescue...........................................................................................................................................
18
Police........................................................................................................................................................
20
CaryMemorial Library.............................................................................................................................
21
PublicWorks............................................................................................................................................
22
PublicFacilities........................................................................................................................................
31
Recreation.................................................................................................................................................
34
Schools.....................................................................................................................................................
35
Innovation& Technology.........................................................................................................................
38
TownClerk's Office.................................................................................................................................
38
AffordableHousing..................................................................................................................................
39
Planning....................................................................................................................................................
41
EconomicDevelopment...........................................................................................................................
42
2021 ATM Warrant -Article Explanations and Recommendations...................................................
43
Article 10: Appropriate the FY2021 Community Preservation Committee
Operating Budget and CPA Projects (Multiple Categories) ................................
43
Article 11: Appropriate for Recreation Capital Projects.........................................................
45
Article 12: Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment ..............................
46
Article 13: Water System Improvements..................................................................................
53
Article 14: Appropriate for Wastewater System Improvements ............................................
54
Article 15: Appropriate for School Capital Projects and Equipment ....................................
55
Article 16: Appropriate for Public Facilities Capital Projects ................................................
56
Article 18: Rescind Prior Borrowing Authorizations...............................................................
59
Article 19: Establish, Amend, Dissolve and Appropriate To and From
Specified Stabilization Funds(SFs).........................................................................
60
Article 21: Amend FY2021 Operating, Enterprise and CPA Budgets ...................................
61
Article 22: Appropriate for Authorized Capital Improvements .............................................
61
Article 23: Appropriate from Debt Service Stabilization Fund ..............................................
62
Article 24: Appropriate for Lexington High School Feasibility Study ...................................
62
Article 25: Amend Borrowing Authorization Conservation Land Acquisition .....................
63
Article 29: Clean Heat—Authorize Special Legislation to Regulate Fossil
FuelInfrastructure...................................................................................................
63
Appendix A: Information on the Town's Current Specified Stabilization Funds ..................................
A-1
AppendixB: Acronyms Used.................................................................................................................
B-1
Appendix C: Summary of Warrant Articles Addressed...................................................................
C-1
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Foreword
We encourage you to read our report, in full or in part, and to use it as a resource to:
Get details on a particular Capital or Community Preservation Act (CPA) Article. Use the Table
of Contents or the Summary on the inside back cover to locate the Article in the second part of
this report, and then read the description from the Town's Recommended Budget & Finance Plan
(Brown Book) as well as any supplemental information we include to further explain the project'.
Get context and historical perspective on a department or a Capital project. Locate the department
or project in the front section of this report to read about it and see a five-year funding history.
See what Capital spending might look like in the future. Refer to this Committee's Five—Year
Capital Plan (5YCP) starting on Page 11.
Many aspects of its old and deteriorating condition make the Lexington Police Station dysfunctional, and
our Committee strongly supports its replacement. In fact, it is easy to argue that the current building is a
public safety hazard. But our Committee also recognizes and fully respects that in light of the urgent
national movement calling for the review of policing, it is an imperative to pause and evaluate our own
local police policies, procedures, and programs before proceeding with a project as large and symbolic as
a new headquarters building.
The Select Board recently voted to maintain the hold on the Police Station design until the community
engagement process on policing in Lexington has been advanced far enough to gain sufficient support
from the Town. This is an important political decision made by elected officials. From a strictly Capital
Expenditures Committee point of view, we would naturally have preferred that the Design and
Engineering phase continue in parallel with the community process, as the delay will affect the project's
cost. But we are also Town Meeting Members, voters, residents, and citizens, who recognize that without
widespread support for both the process and the project there is little chance of seeing its successful
completion.
It is convenient to think that only relatively minor design recommendations might emerge from the
community process, and that such changes could easily be incorporated into a more advanced design.
However, we acknowledge that no one can be sure until the process is completed. Changes to our policing
program, and therefore to the Police Station design, might be identified, in which case the current delay
will, in hindsight, prove to have been prudent. Overall, this is a complex policy issue and we respect the
Select Board's decision; there is no absolutely right answer.
We look forward to the Select Board moving with all prudent haste in pursuing the community
engagement process, reaching a consensus, and seeing the project advanced for a vote at the 2022 Annual
Town Meeting.
This Committee has done extensive review of the FY2022 Capital and CPA Motions- We support all of
those Capital and CPA Motions. We are grateful for the collaborative effort that has pruned several of the
lower priority Capital projects.
Over the 2020 summer, the staff and finance committees set forth a series of financial policies that were
deemed fiscally prudent for maintaining a structurally sound budget. But, during that collaborative
"Summit" process it became clear that the budget process would have to relax some of these
recommendations in order to achieve a balanced, level -service, school budget. The Summits pointed out
two real-world, concerning issues: The Town will (1) likely experience a similar structural problem
during FY2023 planning and beyond, and (2) have to reduce deposits into the Capital Stabilization Fund
1 Throughout this report, "project" is generally used to characterize a Capital endeavor. Within the
development of budgets and other financial actions, "program" is used for already on-going needs while
"project" is used for what is considered to be a one-off endeavor during the five—year scope of financial
planning.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
which significantly reduces our ability to mitigate the tax -impact of financing large, essential, capital
projects in future years.
One of our statutory roles is to publish our 5YCP mentioned above. We start with the five years of
financing and related actions—for FY2022–FY2026—shown in the Brown Book. Beyond those numbers,
our 5YCP also reflects changes that we believe are justified, along with notations on the bases for those
differences.
New this year for our 5YCP is the design and construction phase of the LHS reconstruction/renovation
project (see the discussion in the introduction to our 5YCP on Page 11. The LHS project, expected to run
into hundreds of millions of dollars, will cause a substantial hike in the Town's tax bills. Because of the
uncertainty in the design and construction costs, we can only include a "To be determined" (TBD) for
these costs in our 5YCP, but we do so to explicitly recognize the importance of the project to the Town's
financial planning.
It is obviously too early for this Committee to take a position on any LHS plans, other than to say that
they must be fully integrated into the Town's financial modeling. There is no magic solution to avoiding
this project. LHS is a keystone in our superb school system and, with the number of students involved,
curriculum changes are not going to provide a solution, or be acceptable to our residents
Finally, bear in mind that this Committee is appointed by the Town Moderator and chartered to advise
Town Meeting, a mission we take seriously. While we work collegially with Town Departments and other
Boards and Committees, our recommendations represent what we believe to be in the best interests of you
Town Meeting and, therefore, Lexington citizens. We hope you will find this report useful.
2
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
The Mission of the Capital Expenditures Committee
From the Code of the Town of Lexington (§29-13):
D. Each year the Capital Expenditures Committee shall request and receive from the Town
Manager information on all capital expenditures requested by Town boards and
departments that may be required within the ensuing five-year period. The Committee
shall consider the relative need, timing and cost of these projects, the adequacy thereof
and the effect these expenditures might have on the financial position of the Town.
E. The Committee shall prior to each Town Meeting for the transaction of business prepare,
publish and distribute by making copies available at the office of the Town Clerk and at
Cary Memorial Library, and by mailing or otherwise distributing to each Town meeting
member, a report of its findings, setting forth a list of all such capital expenditures
together with the Committee's recommendations as to the projects that should be
undertaken within the five-year period, the approximate schedule for the funding of each
recommended project to the extent practical, and its recommendations on policies with
either a direct or indirect effect on capital matters. This publication may be combined
with and distributed at the same time as the Appropriation Committee report.
From the Code of the Town of Lexington (§29-14): "The term capital expenditures shall mean any and all
expense of a nonrecurring nature not construed as an ordinary operating expense, the benefit of which
will accrue to the Town over an extended period of time."
From the Code of the Town of Lexington (§29-26): "The Capital Expenditures Committee shall state
whether it endorses each recommendation of the Community Preservation Committee."
How to Read This Report
Our report is divided into four sections:
• An overview of capital projects in Lexington,
• Presentation of a five-year capital budget,
• Spending history and general capital plan for each department and program, and
• This year's capital -related Warrant Articles.
"ATM Town Warrant" refers to the Town of Lexington Town Warrant for the 2021 Annual Town
Meeting, January 25, 2021. "Brown Book" refers to the "Town of Lexington Fiscal Year 2022
Recommended Budget & Financing Plan", dated February 22, 2021. Where our narrative includes a "See
Article —." it is referring you to that Article in the last section—"Warrant-Article Explanations and
Recommendations". In that section you will find:
We have quoted the Town's or a Town Committee's documentation for each of the Articles on which
we are reporting. If we believe that quote has both adequately described the proposed work and
satisfactorily made the case for the Town's need, we will not reiterate either of those matters in this
report. However, additional narrative is included where we feel it would be helpful.
Our Committee's recommendations and how we voted are shown only in the boxed header for each
Article and, if applicable, in any sub -elements unless there are further comments on our position (In
any case where we are not unanimous in an Approval recommendation to Town Meeting there will be
comments.)
Our oral report on Town Meeting floor will highlight elements of our written report and present any new
information not available as of this writing. When we report on a capital article on Town Meeting floor
during the deliberations, a committee member will provide the committee's recommendation and, if
applicable, comments related to that recommendation.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Summary of FY2022 Cabital-BudLyet Requests
Note: The CEC Approves all the Requests
IP Indefinite Postponement N/A =Not Applicable
Requests
Article Categories General Fund Enterprise 3 Approp. &
Debt I Cash Funds CPF Auth.Other4 Total
Land Use Health and Development
12(a) Transportation Mitigation 1 $20,889.20 $20,889.20
Public Safety
12(b) Self -Contained Breathing Apparatus $416,545 $416,545
Replacement
ridt- and Rarrantinn
11(a) Pine Meadows Improvement
$25,000
$25,000
11(b) Pine Meadows Equipment
$62,000
$62,000
10(b) Park and Playground Improvements
16(b)(1) Building Flooring
$170,000 $170,000
10(c) Park Improvements - Athletic Fields
$390,000
$155,000 $155,000
10(a) Community Center Mansion
Sidewalk & Patio
$125,000
$110,000 $110,000
Subtotals Culture and Recreation
$0 $0 $87,000
$435,000 $0 $522,000
I ivnnur FA IIITIAQ
16(a) Public Facilities Bid Documents
1 $29,647,7921
$100,000
$0
$150,0001
$0
$100,000
16(b)(1) Building Flooring
12(c) Townwide Culvert Replacement
$125,000
$390,000
$125,000
16(b)(2) School Paving and Sidewalk
12(d) Equipment Replacement
$125,000
$899,026
$255,000
$125,000
Public Facilities
12(e) Sidewalk Improvement
$765,475
$34,525
16(c) Mechanical/Electrical System
$728,000
$385,000
$728,000
Replacements
NPDES compliance
16(d) Municipal Building Envelopes and
Comprehensive Watershed
12(g)
$214,186
$390,000
$214,186
Associated Systems
Stormwater Management
16(e) Townwide Roofing Program
$528,000
$2,651,674
$528,000
16(f) School Building Envelopes and
14(a) Pump Station Upgrades
$245,199
$520,000
$245,199
Associated Systems
14(b) Sanitary Sewer System
$800,000
$200,000
10(d) Playground Enhancement -Pour -in-
Investigation and Improvements
$150,000
$150,000
Place Surfaces
13(a) Water Distribution System
$710,000
$400,000
Lexington Police Station
Improvements
N/A 5
$25,651,792
$75,0001
$75,0001
$25,651,792
Reconstruction
24 LHS Feasibility Study
$1,825,000
$1,825,000
Center Recreation Complex
16(g) Bathrooms & Maintenance Building
$915,000
$915,000
Renovation
16(h) Space Needs for School Year
$300,000
$300,000
2021-22
16(i) I HVAC Improvements
IP
Subtotals Public Facilities
1 $29,647,7921
$1,109,3851
$0
$150,0001
$0
$30,907,177
Public Works
12(c) Townwide Culvert Replacement
$390,000
$390,000
12(d) Equipment Replacement
$899,026
$255,000
$265,974
$1,420,000
12(e) Sidewalk Improvement
$765,475
$34,525
$800,000
12(f) Storm Drainage Improvements and
$385,000
$385,000
NPDES compliance
Comprehensive Watershed
12(g)
$390,000
$390,000
Stormwater Management
12(h) Street improvements
$2,651,674
$2,651,674
14(a) Pump Station Upgrades
$520,000
$520,000
14(b) Sanitary Sewer System
$800,000
$200,000
$1,000,000
Investigation and Improvements
13(a) Water Distribution System
$710,000
$400,000
$1,110,000
Improvements
12(i) Hydrant Replacement Program
$75,0001
$75,0001
i
$150,000
(Continued on next page)
4
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Summary of FY2022 Capital -Budget Requests (continued)
1 All types of General Fund. For the specific types, see the Warrant -Article Explanations and Recommendations starting on Page 43.
2Includes use of retained earning and debt. For specific types, see the Warrant -Article Explanations and Recommendations starting
on Page 43.
3Includes both cash & debt appropriations.
4Includes using Town -created Revolving Funds (within the authorizations), Town Specified Stabilization Funds, Special Revenue
Accounts, Town's Parking Meter Fund, State Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) funds, Rescinded Prior Borrowing Authorizations
(as negative numbers), TNC Special Revenue Fund, User Charges, and private funding.
5Funding of the Police Station Reconstruction is not being requested at the 2021 ATM. For discussions of that project, see the Police
section on Page 20, 2nd -5th paragraphs, and Page 32, beginning with the paragraph "The Brown Book...".
6 Does not include the State's Chapter 90 funds ($977,917) that do not need to be appropriated.
7 Cancels $1,040,000 CPA debt (Article 10(e)) and adds $!,000,000 CPA cash.
8 If Article 25 passes, the amount becomes $1,949,550.
Requests
General Fund
Article
Categories
9
Enterprise Approp. &
Debt Cash
3
Funds CPF Auth.Other 4
Total
12(j)
Public Parking Lot Improvement
$100,000
$100,000
Program
12(k)
New Sidewalk Installations
$650,000
$650,000
12(I)
Staging for Special Events
$65,000
$65,000
13(b)
Water Tower(s) Replacement
$300,000
$300,000
12(o)
Parking System Replacement
$343,237
$343,237
Public Works Sub -Totals
$1,415,475 $4,890,225
$2,660,000 $0 $1,309,211
$10,274,911
Lexington Public Schools
15
LPS Technology Program
$ 1,186,236
$1,186,236
Innovation & Technology
12(m)
Cary Library Network
1 $95,000
$95,000
Town Manager
12(n)
Electric Vehicle Chargng Stations
1 $69,000
1 1
1 $69,000
Government Other
18
Rescind Prior Borrowing
-$261,096.50
-$261,096.50
Establish, Amend, Dissolve
See that Article on Page 60 for the deposits and the withdrawals at this Annual
19
Appropriate To and From Specified
Town Meeting regarding the Capital Stabilization Fund.
Stabilization Funds
21
Amend FY2020 Operating,
N/A
Enterprise and CPA Budgets
22
Appropriate for Authorized Capital
IP
Improvement
23
Appropriate from Debt Service
$124,057
$124,057
Stabilization Fund
Amend Borrowing Authorization
25
7
-$40,000
-$40,000
Conservation Land Acquisition
Community Preservation Committee
10(e)
8
$2,989,550
$2,989,550
Debt Service
10(f)
Community Preservation Committee
$150,000
$150,000
Administrative Budget
Clean Heat—Authorize Special
29
Legislation to Regulate Fossil Fuel
N/A
Infrastructure
Government Other Sub -Totals
$0
$0
$0
$3,099,5501
-$137,039.501
$2,962,510.50
Grand Totals
$31,063,267
$7,766,391
$2,747,000
$3,684,550
$1,193,060.70
$46,454,268.70
1 All types of General Fund. For the specific types, see the Warrant -Article Explanations and Recommendations starting on Page 43.
2Includes use of retained earning and debt. For specific types, see the Warrant -Article Explanations and Recommendations starting
on Page 43.
3Includes both cash & debt appropriations.
4Includes using Town -created Revolving Funds (within the authorizations), Town Specified Stabilization Funds, Special Revenue
Accounts, Town's Parking Meter Fund, State Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) funds, Rescinded Prior Borrowing Authorizations
(as negative numbers), TNC Special Revenue Fund, User Charges, and private funding.
5Funding of the Police Station Reconstruction is not being requested at the 2021 ATM. For discussions of that project, see the Police
section on Page 20, 2nd -5th paragraphs, and Page 32, beginning with the paragraph "The Brown Book...".
6 Does not include the State's Chapter 90 funds ($977,917) that do not need to be appropriated.
7 Cancels $1,040,000 CPA debt (Article 10(e)) and adds $!,000,000 CPA cash.
8 If Article 25 passes, the amount becomes $1,949,550.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Capital Budget
Lexington allocates resources to capital projects by considering them in three categories:
• Capital Projects (by definition those that can be debt-financed, are greater than $25,000, and have a
useful life of at least 5 years for vehicles and equipment, and 10 years for buildings or building
components);
• Enterprise & Revolving Funds projects (greater than $25,000); and
• Community Preservation Fund (CPF) projects (any dollar amount).
The Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC):
• Assesses capital needs brought forward by each department (municipal and schools) as well as the
Community Preservation Committee (CPC) through the annual budgeting process;
• Works with those departments and the CPC to identify likely capital needs for the next five years;
• Independently considers public facilities, infrastructure systems, and prospective longer-term needs,
as well as issues and facilities not being addressed within any department; and
• Through this report and in presentations, advises Town Meeting about necessary and prudent
investments to maintain, improve, and create facilities required to serve Lexington citizens safely,
effectively, and efficiently. During the year, Committee members also work with, advise, and
consult staff members in various departments and with other public committees—notably in budget
summits with the Select Board (SB)2, the Appropriation Committee, and the School Committee—in
an effort to shape a responsible capital budget for Lexington.
Please note these important caveats:
• All cost figures are estimates and may not reflect the cost in then -year dollars. The degree of
accuracy varies by project. Estimates that are several years into the future are the most uncertain.
They are subject to refinement as projects are designed, bid, and built. Even relatively near-term
work is subject to cost uncertainties until projects are bid and contracts signed because material,
labor, and contract -management costs are often highly variable even over a period of just a few
months.
• The scope of future projects is also often highly uncertain. Accordingly, project budgets are subject
to significant revision as the work is defined through the political and budgeting processes.
• Dates for appropriations and taxpayer impact of financing projects, unless otherwise specified, are
given in fiscal years, beginning July 1.
Capital Projects
Capital projects require careful analysis, budgeting, and broad support. Generally, recommended large
capital projects have been funded through borrowing, consistent with their expected life and annual
budgeting for operating needs.
Borrowing incurs debt service in later years and this is funded in one of three ways:
1. Through the operating budget, which may `crowd' the budget for other Town needs.
2. Through the use of a Proposition 2'/2 debt -exclusion, which has the additional benefit of reinforcing
broad support.
3. Through the CPA, in which case, neither a debt -exclusion vote nor operating budget funds are
required.
This Committee applauds the Town departments' emphasis on continual infrastructure maintenance and
upgrades. We continue to work closely with the stewards of our assets to prioritize, plan, and project the
Capital work for a period of five years or more.
As of January 14, 2020, Select Board (SB) is the new name for what had been the Board of Selectmen
(BoS). Although there are matters in this report that happened while that Town executive body was the
BoS, to avoid confusion those are also identified in this report as the SB.
21
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
The Projects Agenda
The following are big-ticket items being considered in Lexington. Except for the first two items identified
by the SB as the Town's highest priorities—with which this Committee agrees—no priority ranking is
intended; the rest of this listing is simply alphabetical.
• School Buildings—Expansion, Renovation & Reconstruction (See Article 16.)
• Police Station—Replacement (See the earlier Foreword section.)
• Carriage House (next to Lexington Community Center)—Determine Use and Renovation (No
action at this Town Meeting.)
• Center Streetscape Improvements (Pending Award, but subject to a decision regarding the
parking meters.)
• Community (Affordable) Housing—Development and Acquisition (No Action at this Town
Meeting.)
• Conservation/Open Space Land—Acquisition and Enhancement (No action at this Town
Meeting other than modifying the financing of a previous land purchase from partial debt and
cash to all-cash—see Article 25.)
• Greenways Corridor—Implementation. These are projects to link open spaces with trails. The
major West Lexington Greenway Project—the proposed trail network west of I-95/Route 128
linking all Town -owned open space and the Minuteman Bikeway with the Battle Road Trail in
the Minuteman National Historic Park via accessible trails—has been studied. (No action at this
Town Meeting.)
• Hammond A. Hosmer House, 1557 Massachusetts Avenue (previously called the White
House)—Determine Use and Renovation. This structure has been stabilized, but is not code
compliant nor suitable for use without further renovation or build -out. (No action at this Town
Meeting.
• Hartwell Avenue Transportation Management Overlay District Improvements (No action at
this Town Meeting.)
• Muzzey High Condominium Unit (former Senior Center), 1475 Massachusetts Avenue—
Determine Use and Renovation) (No action at this Town Meeting.)
• Recreation Facilities—A continuing need (See Articles 10(b–d), 11, and 16(g).)
• Roads—A continuing need (See Article 12(h).)
• Sidewalks—A continuing improvement need. (See Article 12(e) and Article 12(k).)
• Stone Building (previously the East Lexington Library), 735 Massachusetts Avenue—Determine
Use and Renovation. This structure has been stabilized, but is not code compliant nor suitable for
use without further renovation or build -out. (No action at this Town Meeting.)
• Transportation Mitigation—This is a continuing need. (See Article 12(a).) (Actions taken are
often an element of road -related projects, rather than being solely to achieve specific mitigation.)
The SB, School Committee (SC), CPC, and Permanent Building Committee (PBC) continue to evaluate,
refine, prioritize, and schedule these projects for the next several years. Realistic cost proposals should be
incorporated in the 5 -year projections. The Townwide Facility Master Plan—that will incorporate Schools
and Municipal Plans—is still a work in progress, but each component Plan completed will contribute to
that process.
The Community Preservation Act (CPA)
In March, 2006, Lexington voted to adopt the CPA—an opt -in, State funding mechanism for selected
purposes. CPA funds may be used for capital projects proposed by municipal and non -municipal entities
within four categories: Community Housing, Historic Resources, Open Space, and Recreational Use.
These monies help accomplish some of our Town's traditional needs, but only those that fall within the
limited purposes of the Act. (See Article 10(a) -(f).)
Currently there are 186 municipalities which have adopted the CPA; an increase of 10 from last year.
That's now 53% of all the municipalities in Massachusetts comprising 65% of Massachusetts residents.
Each community opting into the Act voluntarily adds a surcharge from 1% to 3% to its municipal taxes to
fund its Community Preservation Fund (CPF). Lexington has selected the maximum, 3%. Under the
statute, each CPA municipality is then eligible for annual supplemental State funding in November based
7
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
on its collected surtax level. Of the 10 new adopters, only the one early adopter is eligible for this
November's supplemental funding as it is already collecting its surcharge; the others will be eligible for
the November 2022 distribution. The original State supplement "matched" the total of each municipality's
surcharge receipts, but as more municipalities opted into the program, the supplement level to each has
diminished. When the initial distribution to adopted municipalities was less than a 100% surcharge
collection match, the State began a proportional distribution. For those communities that have adopted the
maximum 3% surcharge, a second- and a third -round distribution is also calculated to determine their
final supplemental funding
See the Table below for the lifetime history of supplemental distributions to Lexington, including the
projection for FY2022. The footnotes include those years in which there was an added State Community
Preservation Act Trust Fund (CPATF) distribution because of an allocation of a portion of any surplus in
the State's budget at its close. (See more details following the table.)
Year in which
supplement
received
Prior -Year's CPA
Surcharge
Collected
State Supplement Percentage
1st Round 2nd Roun 3rd Round Total
Total
Supplement
Amount
FY2008 Actual
$2,556,362
100.0%
N/A
N/A
100.0%
$2,556,362
FY2009 Actual
$2,777,882
67.6%
1.8%
N/A
69.4%
$1,927,708
FY2010 Actual
$2,931,678
34.8%
0.9%
0.5%
36.2%
1 $1,060,390
FY2011 Actual
$3,042,587
27.2%
0.6%
0.4%
28.2%
$858,729
FY2012 Actual
$3,206,117
26.6%
0.6%
0.4%
27.6%
$885,463
FY2013 Actual2
$3,344,371
26.8%
0.6%
0.4%
27.8%
$929,507
FY2014 Actual
$3,572,460
52.2%
1.1%
0.7%
54.1%
$1,932,347
FY2015 (Actual )4
$3,777,676
31.5%
0.7%
0.4%
32.6%
$1,230,116
FY2016 Actuals
$4,012,883
29.7%
0.6%
0.4%
30.7%
$1,229,774
FY2017 (Actual )6
$4,217,305
20.6%
0.4%
0.3%
21.3%
$897,243
FY2018 Actual 7
$4,442,893
17.2%
0.4%
0.2%
17.8%
$789,905
FY2019(Actual)8
$4,659,786
19.0%
0.5%
0.3%
19.8%
$922,256
FY2020 Actuals
$4,911,223
23.9%
0.6%
0.4%
24.8%
$1,219,950
FY2021 (Actual)
$5,214,556
28.6%
0.7%
0.4%
29.7%
$1,549,955
Total Actual:
$52,667,779
Received to date:
34.2%
$17,989,705
FY2022 (Projected)10
$5,700,000
TBD
TBD
I TBD
30.0%
$1,710,000
Totals including projected :
$58,367,779
33.8%
$19,699,705
1 The "actuals" are the net amounts as used by the State; the "projected" is the Town's projection for the net
2 The Total Supplement Amount includes $255 to correct an underpayment in FY2012 from an error with
Phillipston's surcharge.
3 The Total Supplement Amount reflects a $25 million addition to the State's CPA Trust Fund because the
State finished FY2013 with a surplus of at least that amount -thereby permitting the maximum amount
authorized by the State Legislature to go into that Fund.
4 The Total Supplement Amount reflects a $11.4 million addition to the State's CPA Trust Fund because the
State finished FY2014 with a surplus of at least that amount -thereby permitting the maximum amount
authorized by the State Legislature to go into that Fund.
s The Total Supplement Amount reflects a $10 million addition to the State's CPA Trust Fund because the
State finished FY2015 with a surplus of at least that amount -thereby permitting the maximum amount
authorized by the State Legislature to go into that Fund.
6 There was no State budget surplus from FY2016 so, while the State Legislature authorized up to a $10
million addition from any surplus, there was no subsequent State infusion into the State's CPA Trust Fund.
7 There was no State budget surplus from FY2017 so, while the State Legislature authorized up to a $10
million addition from any surplus, there was no subsequent State infusion into the State's CPA Trust Fund.
The Total Supplement Amount includes a $168 deduction as an adjustment due to an update to FY2017 data
after last year's distribution was made.
3 The Total Supplement Amount reflects a $10 million addition to the State's CPA Trust Fund because the
State finished FY2018 with a surplus of at least that amount -thereby permitting the maximum amount
authorized by the State Legislature to go into that Fund.
s The Total Supplement Amount reflects a $20 million addition to the State's CPA Trust Fund because the
State finished FY2019 with a surplus of at least that amount -thereby permitting the maximum amount
authorized by the State Legislature to go into that Fund. Of that addition, $17,901,300 was distributed to the
municipalities which had adopted to CPA. Lexington received $503,902 which increased the percentage of the
surcharge from 14.6% to the 23.9% shown.
10 Not included would be any further increase resulting from the State deciding to infuse the State's CPA
Trust Fund with additional funding from a prior -year budget surplus, if any.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
The funds available for these State supplements are taken from a surcharge on the transaction fees
charged by the State's Registries of Deeds and vary from year to year with the level of activity at those
Registries. For some previous years, the State had allocated additional funds to the CPATF if the State's
prior -year's budget ended with a surplus. However, the State's budgets did not always end with a surplus.
(See the footnotes to the above table.)
The FY2020 Massachusetts Budget provided for increases in registry fee surcharges which fund the
CPATF with a goal to raise matching funds to approximately 30% of each municipal net surcharge.
Additionally, each earlier year's Budget provided that any annual State budget surplus funds would first
be distributed to the MA Life Sciences Investment Fund up to $10 million, and second to the CPATF up
to $20 million. The full $20 million was available to the CPATF in 2020. These two factors allowed for
an FY2021 first round distribution to CPA communities of $28.6%, with Lexington receiving $1,493,749
in the first round. Having opted for the full 3% surcharge, Lexington received the second and third round
distributions, bringing its total receipts from the state to $1,549,955. (See above table.) With that raise in
the registry fee surcharges, there has been no support for requesting the State Legislature to include any
prior -year surplus for the CPATF.
The Lexington CPF receives the annual receipts from our local surcharge, the State supplement, and
interest on the balance in our Town's CPF. Under the statute, 10% of the total received each year is
allocated to each of the following categories: Community Housing, Historic Resources, and Open Space.
The remaining 70% of this income may be spent for any of these categories or for Recreation. Funds may
be accrued from year to year and are available for debt service on previously approved projects.
A CPA -funded project can only be brought to Town Meeting for action through recommendation by the
Community Preservation Committee (CPC) whose membership, in our Town, is prescribed in the Code of
Lexington as follows:
§ 29-23A. There is hereby established a Community Preservation Committee pursuant to Section
5 of Chapter 44B of the General Laws (the "Act") consisting of nine members. The Board of
Selectmen shall appoint three members of the Community Preservation Committee and the
following bodies shall each select one of its members for membership on the Community
Preservation Committee: the Conservation Commission, the Planning Board, the Recreation
Committee, the Historical Commission, the Housing Authority and the Housing Partnership.
Town Meeting can only approve, reduce the funding, or disapprove a project; it cannot change the
purpose. Town Counsel has provided an opinion that Town Meeting can change the funding mechanism
for a given project (cash or debt). This Committee gives our recommendation on each of the projects put
before the Town Meeting.
See the report of the CPC for information on how Lexington has spent from the CPF since 2007.
The projected available CPF cash is not a limitation on what the CPC can recommend to Town Meeting
for spending approval. The CPA can—and often does—include debt financing which is then paid over the
term of the borrowing using the CPF. This Committee has always stated that cash funding should be the
first preference. However, (1) Any such debt should be for as short a term as practical, with and payment
front-end loaded, as practical, after considering the funding projected for the CPF (not including any State
supplemental funds) over at least the next 10 years; and (2) Such debt should be approved only after
consideration of potential future projects that might come before the CPC for consideration which would
require funds beyond those allocated to the three, mandatory reserves for Open Space, Historic
Resources, and Community (Affordable) Housing.
The debt service is an obligation borne by the CPF throughout the term of those instruments—whether
short-term financing (i.e., notes, such as a Bond Anticipation Note [BAN]) and/or long-term financing
(i.e., a bond). It is the Town's practice that each year's debt service will be paid from any funds remaining
in the reserve category under which that project was eligible—whether or not initially financed from that
reserve—before use of other available funds. In subsequent years, the CPC recommends to Town Meeting
those obligatory debt -service -payment appropriations. (See Article 10(e).)
7
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
One approach that provides flexibility in deciding how much, if any, CPF cash should be applied up front
for a large project is to defer that decision by initially issuing a BAN for a term of one year or less for the
full amount of the project. (A BAN typically carries an interest rate that is generally below even the
relatively low rates paid on the Town's bonds.) When a BAN matures, a decision can be made whether to
use CPF cash to reduce the total for which a longer-term bond would then be issued. Doing so gives the
Town a better idea of how much CPF cash should be held in anticipation of the next—and later—years'
demands upon the CPF. This mechanism has been used in the past, and this Committee expects it to be
proposed in the future for other large projects.
The CPC carefully husbands available funds, and this year, as in FY2021, has recommended only those
projects which can be funded with current income and funds on hand, after debt service and its
administrative costs. The goal was to avoid any further borrowing until a substantial portion of the current
obligations was retired. The CPC anticipates that it will have a fund balance of $7,381,362 after payment
for all projects proposed to this year's Town Meeting (assuming all pass), its debt -service obligation, and
allocation for its administrative needs. While the recent policy of the CPC has been to maintain a fund
balance of approximately $2 million, the CPC considers that potential large projects in the near future
make it advisable to keep a larger balance on hand.
The Town, the CPC, and this Committee are mindful of the additional taxes which the CPA imposes on
our community at a time when our tax burden is projected to rise in order to pay for essential capital
projects like the Police Station and a new or renovated Lexington High School. To lessen the impact on
Lexington households, particularly those with smaller homes, the Town has adopted a provision in the
CPA law that excepts the first $100,000 of home value from the CPA surcharge. Based on a FY2021
average assessed value of $1,128,624, the average additional tax burden per household from the CPA
surcharge is $444.09 per year.
As is clear from the Table in this section, by choosing the maximum 3% surcharge, Lexington has
received the maximum supplement paid from the State for every year since 2007. As of FY2021, the
Town has received $17,989,705. Had our participation been at the 1% level, not only would our initial
proportional distributions have been lower, but we would not have received the second and third round
distributions, and our total supplemental receipts would have been less than a third of what they were. For
relatively small contributions per household, the Town has realized enormous benefits, and will continue
to do so, even with the lower percentage supplements of recent years. For these reasons this Committee
continues to believe that Lexington should maintain its CPA participation at the 3% level, and that not to
do so would be "penny wise and pound foolish."
See the CPA Summary in the Brown Book (Appendix C, Page C-8) for a summary of the CPF status,
including projects that have been funded from the CPF since its inception in Lexington and those being
requested for FY2022 under Article 10.
Enterprise Fund Projects
The Town operates three enterprise funds for revenue-producing activities funded outside the tax levy by
user fees: water distribution, wastewater distribution [sanitary sewers], and certain Recreation and
Community Programs (R&CP) services, such as the golf course, swimming pools, and tennis courts. The
costs of these activities are normally funded out of their respective enterprise funds. Unlike property -tax
revenues, enterprise -fund fees are not subject to a limit under Proposition 2'/2. Recreational playground
restoration and equipment, in contrast, are not fee generating and capital investment for such equipment is
therefore, normally funded as part of the small -ticket program of the General Fund (GF)—sourced by the
tax levy. The 2012 amendments to the CPA expanded the range of recreation projects that are eligible for
funding under that Act; therefore, many recreational projects have since been submitted to our CPC with
requests for use of the CPF as the fund source. That continues this year; many of the recreation projects
coming before this ATM will request full or partial funding from the CPF rather than from the Enterprise
Fund (EF) or GF.
This Town Meeting will consider requests from the Departments that manage the R&CP, Water, and
Wastewater, and R&CP EFs. (See Articles 11, 13, and 14.)
10
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Revolving -Fund Projects
Revolving funds established under the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L.) Chapter 44,
Section 53E'/2, must be authorized annually by Town Meeting vote. (As the Schools Food Service
Revolving Fund was established, instead, under M.G.L. Ch. 548 of the Acts of 1948, it does not require
Town Meeting's annual authorization or appropriation to use it.)
The fund is credited with only the departmental receipts received in connection with the programs
supported by such revolving fund, and expenditures may be made from the revolving fund, without
further appropriation, for those programs.
Revolving funds are usually expended to cover non -capital costs, and this Committee normally does not
report on their annual authorizations unless a capital expense is contemplated. Such an expense is not
contemplated in FY2022.
Five -Year Capital Plan
The table and its footnotes on the next four pages summarize this Committee's Five -Year Capital Plan.
This plan reflects the expected FY2022 appropriations at the 2021 ATM and the FY2023–FY2026
requests that this Committee recommends. We started with the amounts and timing shown in the Brown
Book, Page XI -4 for FY2022, and XI -20 & –21 for FY2023–FY2026. Those requests have been updated
based on any information we received after it was published. Additionally, if we felt that the project was
multi -phase and either Design & Engineering (D&E) or construction monies are anticipated, we have
made additional entries or changes, even though no formal position has been taken by the Town. In that
vein, there are important caveats to our table:
• Footnotes indicate when this Committee's position differs from the Brown Book
• Excluding the many tens of millions of dollars of to -be -determined (TBD) entries, the total in this
Committee's Plan for FY2023–FY2026 is just shy of $384 million. The TBD entries include
future construction phases, undetermined project elements, or entire major facility projects. We
do not include the TBDs in our total estimated amounts.
• While the Town has not made any FY2021 contribution into the Capital Stabilization Fund
(CSF), in FY2022 the deposits will resume with $3,217,674. For several years the Town has been
building this Fund so that it can be used to mitigate the debt service tax impact of capital projects.
Given the current proposed and possible out -year projects in our Capital Plan, mitigating our debt
service with the CSF will fully deplete that reserve before the debt service for the future projects
are completed. (See the Foreword, on Page 1, the paragraph beginning with "Over the past
summer....") which addresses why the much lower -than -planned deposits to the CSF has
significantly reduced the Town's ability to mitigate the tax -impact of financing large, essential,
capital projects in future years. (See Article 19 for the requested FY2022 deposit and
withdrawal.)
• Because of the ongoing challenge the Town faces with regard to the planning and financing for
the renovation/replacement/renewal of its Capital Assets, this Committee is gratified to see the
SB continue to refine a formal, Townwide, Facilities Master Plan, including a financing plan that
also identifies the likely debt -exclusion referenda. This Committee stands ready to assist in any
way it can.
• This Committee appreciates the Town's reluctance to cite a preliminary estimate for projects that
are not yet well-defined and hence, the Town's out -year amounts generally do not reflect the
costs in then -year dollars. As this Committee does not have the means to reasonably adjust those
current -year values to then -year values, we are using the Town's dollar values unless we have
made a change for another reason—in which case there will be an explaining footnote.
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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Conservation and Open Space
Wright Farm. Legal division of the property between the Conservation Commission and the Lexington
Housing Assistance Board, including deed restrictions for the use of each portion of the parcel, was
completed in February 2020. The 2020 ATM approved $69,000 in CPA funds for site design to provide
for public access and parking while protecting conservation lands, and these funds are currently on hand.
The open -space parcel is 43,446 square feet, including a barn being restored as a public space for
environmental education. The Conservation Commission has established a Wright Farm Advisory
Subcommittee to assist in the Commission's planning and to make recommendations for program
activities and management of the property. The Subcommittee may recommend that the Commission
apply for funding for construction of access, parking and/or barn stabilization in the next budget cycle.
Parker Meadow. Pursuant to Lexington's Open Space and Recreation Plan, approved in 2015, $551,026
in CPA funding was approved by the 2020 ATM for construction of a universal accessible passive
recreation trail system. The final design concept for this project was approved by the Conservation
Commission at a public hearing this February, and engineering and design plans for wetlands permitting,
including a bid package, have been completed. The bid is currently being issued, with construction
projected to start this spring.
Cotton Farm. The 2017 ATM approved an appropriation of $301,300 for design and construction work
at the Town -owned Cotton Farm, to include relocating the parking area and installing an ADA -accessible
trail and viewing platform. The project has been completed with the exception of minor punch list items.
The Town is waiting to receive an invoice for work completed, which should account for funds currently
retained.
Meadowlands. No funding for the Conservation Commission's ongoing program of restoration and
preservation of meadowlands is requested for FY2022. Due to COVID 19 and staff vacancies, restoration
work on West Farm Meadow has been deferred to FY2023.
Community Farm. The Lexington Community Farm Coalition continues to operate a community farm
on the site of the former Busa Farm property on Lowell Street property under a ten-year lease which
began January 1, 2014. Operating revenue and private donors support its ongoing operations.
Willard's Woods. The 2017 ATM approved $40,480 in CPA funds for the restoration and preservation
of Willard's Woods, the largest and most utilized conservation area in the Town. After input from
Conservation Stewards and others, that work was deferred until the completion of a comprehensive land
management and site plan to address the restoration and expansion of pathways in compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act. The 2019 ATM approved $138,273 in CPA funds for that work. A draft
Ecological Land Management Plan has been prepared by Land Stewardship, Inc., and presentation to the
public and approval by the Conservation Commission is pending. Once approved, the consultant will
prepare design, engineering and bid documents to construct a Universal Accessible Trail. Work through
the design and engineering phase should be covered by the previously appropriated funds.
Implementation of the project is projected to cost approximately $597,114 (in FY2020 dollars) in
FY2022.
Land Acquisition. The fall 2020 STM -3 approved the purchase of conservation land located at
39 Highland Avenue with $3,560,000 in CPA funds, of which $1,000,000 would be funded through
borrowing. After receipt of Lexington's State matching funds in November 2020, and review of the
Community Preservation Fund's cash position, the Community Preservation Committee is proposing an
amendment to its 2020 application to allow it to appropriate an additional $1,000,000 from the
Undesignated Fund Balance of the CPF and to rescind the authorization for borrowing that amount. (See
Article 25.)
Open Space and Recreation Plan Update. Lexington's state -mandated Open Space and Recreation Plan
was last updated and approved by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental
Affairs in 2015, and expires in 2022. If it is not timely updated, the Town will be ineligible for certain
16
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
State land acquisition grants. The Conservation Commission is requesting FY2022 funding for the update
of that Plan. (See Article 10(f).)
Conservation and Open Space 5 -Year Capital Appropriation History (All Sources)
Lexington Community Center
Lexington Community Center (LexCC), at 39 Marrett Road, was purchased by the Town in 2013. A SB -
appointed Ad hoc Community Center Advisory Committee (AhCCAC) worked to identify short-term and
long-term improvements to the building needed to support Town programs there. Appropriation for the
resulting renovations appears in the DPF funding -history table on Page 33.
The LexCC incorporates functions of the previous Lexington Senior Center and provides expanded,
multi -generational services to the Town. To manage the LexCC and the closely associated Town
functions, the SB created the Recreation and Community Programs Department. Programming began in
2015 and includes structured classes and drop-in programs such as yoga, table tennis, and billiards..
LexCC also provides much needed meeting and function spaces.
The 2016 ATM appropriated supplementary funds for debt service on the final stages of the LexCC
renovations. A Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) was issued for additional costs, but available CPA funds
allowed the BAN to be retired without the need to issue a bond, avoiding bond -issuance costs and
long–term interest.
While planned LexCC renovations have been completed, the AhCCAC suggested that two more
additions—a gymnasium and a larger, multipurpose, space—would allow the Center to offer broader
programming. The 2016 Town Meeting approved $8 million for the purchase of a parcel of land on
Pelham Road (adjacent to the LexCC) for school and municipal purposes. The building on the site had a
large gym and kitchen/cafeteria that might have functioned as the LexCC addition after renovations.
However, the Town decided to demolish the existing building as the renovation cost estimates to bring the
facility to Lexington's community and educational standards were substantial and instead built a
standalone Lexington Children's Place instead.
DiNisco Designs was contracted to develop a master plan for the combined 39 Marrett Road and
20 Pelham Road site. In January 2018, they presented three options to the SB. Two of the proposed
designs for the LexCC expansion proposed extensions to the current LexCC building and use the
available property on 20 Pelham Road for additional parking. The third design is a standalone LexCC
addition on the Pelham Road property. Funding for this site master plan has come from two
appropriations for bid documents totaling $189,750 ($72,000 under 2016 ATM, Article 15(e), and
$117,750 under 2017 ATM, Article 16(e)). A request for additional design funds at the 2018 ATM
(Article 20(f)) failed to secure sufficient votes.
The Recreation Department has design funds for a Community Center expansion included in its five–year
plan although this project is not part of the Town's Brown Book. The recently released Community Needs
17
FY2017
FY2018
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Wright Farm
$35,000
$87,701
$69,000
Conservation Meadow
$40,480
$22,425
Preservation
Willard Woods Land Management
$138,273
and Site Plan
Cotton Farm Conservation Area
$301,300
1 mprovement
Parker Meadow Accessible Trail
$551,026
Totals
$35,0001
$429,481
$0
$138,2731
$642,451
Lexington Community Center
Lexington Community Center (LexCC), at 39 Marrett Road, was purchased by the Town in 2013. A SB -
appointed Ad hoc Community Center Advisory Committee (AhCCAC) worked to identify short-term and
long-term improvements to the building needed to support Town programs there. Appropriation for the
resulting renovations appears in the DPF funding -history table on Page 33.
The LexCC incorporates functions of the previous Lexington Senior Center and provides expanded,
multi -generational services to the Town. To manage the LexCC and the closely associated Town
functions, the SB created the Recreation and Community Programs Department. Programming began in
2015 and includes structured classes and drop-in programs such as yoga, table tennis, and billiards..
LexCC also provides much needed meeting and function spaces.
The 2016 ATM appropriated supplementary funds for debt service on the final stages of the LexCC
renovations. A Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) was issued for additional costs, but available CPA funds
allowed the BAN to be retired without the need to issue a bond, avoiding bond -issuance costs and
long–term interest.
While planned LexCC renovations have been completed, the AhCCAC suggested that two more
additions—a gymnasium and a larger, multipurpose, space—would allow the Center to offer broader
programming. The 2016 Town Meeting approved $8 million for the purchase of a parcel of land on
Pelham Road (adjacent to the LexCC) for school and municipal purposes. The building on the site had a
large gym and kitchen/cafeteria that might have functioned as the LexCC addition after renovations.
However, the Town decided to demolish the existing building as the renovation cost estimates to bring the
facility to Lexington's community and educational standards were substantial and instead built a
standalone Lexington Children's Place instead.
DiNisco Designs was contracted to develop a master plan for the combined 39 Marrett Road and
20 Pelham Road site. In January 2018, they presented three options to the SB. Two of the proposed
designs for the LexCC expansion proposed extensions to the current LexCC building and use the
available property on 20 Pelham Road for additional parking. The third design is a standalone LexCC
addition on the Pelham Road property. Funding for this site master plan has come from two
appropriations for bid documents totaling $189,750 ($72,000 under 2016 ATM, Article 15(e), and
$117,750 under 2017 ATM, Article 16(e)). A request for additional design funds at the 2018 ATM
(Article 20(f)) failed to secure sufficient votes.
The Recreation Department has design funds for a Community Center expansion included in its five–year
plan although this project is not part of the Town's Brown Book. The recently released Community Needs
17
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Assessment revealed that residents' top two unmet recreation needs were for spaces to conduct cultural
performances as well as fitness and wellness activities. Meanwhile, to improve accessibility in the current
building, the Department is now seeking to bring a sidewalk and patio alongside the mansion side of the
Community Center up to full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). (See
Article 10(c).) This smaller improvement would also connect parking lots, and expand usage of outdoor
space. If approved, DPW will manage this project.
At present, there is no decision on space usage in the Muzzey High Condominiums that previously
housed the Town's Senior Center. Deed restrictions on that space limit it to uses for the benefit of seniors.
The Carriage House located next to the Community Center also has deed restrictions that limit its use.
DPF currently maintains both spaces in a caretaker mode,
Fire & Rescue
The Fire & Rescue Department uses industry standards and its own experience to establish its
capital–equipment replacement schedule. Unlike many pieces of Town equipment, fire engines and medic
trucks (rescue -ambulances) are partially custom-made and equipped, require detailed specifications, and
typically require many months between placing the order and the delivery and acceptance.
The mission of this Department in the 21s' century has shifted beyond traditional firefighting to
emergency services, homeland security, and community education, with our firefighters now being
trained for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS). The equipment to
perform these missions has changed with new technologies for firefighting and communications, yet the
basic pumper truck, ladder truck, and rescue ambulance are still essential to the mission.
The FY2022 Capital Budget has one request for this department. (See Article 12(b).)
The primary capital effort for this Department has been the construction of a sorely needed new Station to
meet 21St -century standards. The SB agreed that this would be best achieved at the Station's current
location at 45 Bedford Street, with an interim operating facility ("swing space") during construction at the
173 Bedford Street site that had been purchased in October, 2016. Both of these projects are being
executed by the DPF.
The funding for the Station project was approved by the voters in the December 4, 2017, Debt–Exclusion
Referendum. (See the FY2017–FY2019 funding on Page 33.) The move to the swing space was
completed on October 4, 2018; the Department moved back to the new building in October of last year.
The "flush out" and the "punch list" are near completion with minor adjustments ongoing and will
continue for the next year under the warranty parameters. The firefighters are very positive about the new
building.
An enormous, immediate, relief from what was thought to be a near-term, huge, funding demand was
provided last month when the Federal Government rescinded its unfunded mandate that public -safety
agencies—including Lexington's Fire & Rescue and Police Departments—would be required to move
their radio -band frequency from the current 400 MHz band, to the 800 MHz band. That would have
required a complete replacement of radio equipment, including hand-held, mobile, and base stations. The
radio system was upgraded and changed in 1994, at a cost of over $1,000,000. A change to the new
frequency band would be a major capital project—in scale and expense—affecting both Departments.
Nationwide challenges had been made to the mandate because of these impacts. These Departments had
been awaiting guidance on when, how, and even if the mandate will be implemented, but had never been
provided any such guidance.
Lexington must continue to replace its aging equipment and retain backup capacity. The table on the next
page includes the forecasted need for replacing major capital vehicles in the current Department
inventory. While the fire-fighter suit replacements are now included in the Operating Budget,
self–contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) remains a Capital expense. This is a life–safety piece of
equipment that allows the firefighters to breath fresh air when they are in immediately dangerous to life or
health (IDLH) atmospheres, and has become costly to repair and keep in service. (See Article 12(b).)
I:
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Major Capital Equipment
The following is the current inventory of the Fire & Rescue Department's major capital equipment)
ordered by the year of the currently projected replacement funding:
(Fire & Rescue Department S -Year Capital Appropriation History has been combined with the Police
Department History as some appropriations are for the joint benefit of both Departments. That combined
Public -Safety History follows the Police Department narrative.)
19
Originally
Projected
Put -in-
Projected
Replacement
Model Year
Service
Useful Life
Original
Funding
ID
Type
Make
Purchased
Date
(Years)
Cost
FY2021
M-12
Ambulance
Ford/Horton
2012
Mar 2012
92
$251,199 4
FY2023
E-3
Pumper
Emergency
2004
Jan 2005
203
$345,000
FY2024
M-15
Ambulance
Ford/Horton
2015
Feb 2015
92
$238,210 5
FY2026
E-2
Pumper
Ferrara/
2007
Apr 2008
203
$389,000
FY2027
M-18
Ambulance
Ford/Horton
2018
Ju12018
92
$260,9306
FY2033
E-4
Pumper
Emergency
2013
Mar 2014
203
$465,000
FY2035
E-1
Pumper
Emergency
2015
Nov 2015
203
$485,000 $
FY2038
L-1
Aerial
Emergency
2017
Jan 2018
20$875,000
1 Includes ID series "E" um ers ,"L" (aerial), & "M" Medic; designation followed by 2 -digit vehicle year).
2 The life span of ambulances is based on 6 years of frontline service and 3 years as a mechanicals are.
3 The life span of these vehicles is based on 10 years of frontline service, and 10 years in reserve status.
4 Net cost was $241,199 ($251,199 less $10,000 for the trade-in for old M-3), but gross cost being listed as
future status of a trade-in is unknown—plus it's expected any purchase -8 years out will, as with all the other
out -year purchases, be at a much higher cost.
5 Net cost was $228,210 $238,210 less $9,999 for trade-in 2006 Chevy).
6 Net cost $254,930 $260,930 less $6,000 for trade-in 2009 ambulance).
7 $485,000 was appropriated for FY2014 to replace E-2 that was plagued with serious mechanical issues.
(See Committee's Report to the 2013 ATM, Article 10(a), for the background on that matter.) The legal action
taken by the Town for a refund has been resolved. The replacement was purchased under the 23 Feb 2015
STM #2, Article 3, $500,000 appropriation for $415,000 ($465,000 less $50,000 for the trade-in of E -4—a 2003
Ferrara/International pumper that had been purchased for $210,000 and put in service in Jul 2003).
Approximately $20,000 of the FY2014 appropriation was spent for ancillary equipment for the new pumper. A
rescission of $20,335 of the 23 Feb 2015 financing authorization was approved at the 2016 Annual Town
Meeting under Article 20 which closed out all the related funding.
8 Pumper was purchased using funds received in Town's legal settlement with Ferrera Fire Apparatus. The
2010 Pumper was returned to the manufacturer.
9 This is the full purchase price. Rather than having traded in the then -current aerial truck as part of purchase
of the new aerial truck ($25,000 was offered), that old truck was auctioned off—the only bidder was the Town
of Acushnet, MA—for $40,000. (There was no new -equipment cost as the current equipment was used on that
,newly purchased truck.
(Fire & Rescue Department S -Year Capital Appropriation History has been combined with the Police
Department History as some appropriations are for the joint benefit of both Departments. That combined
Public -Safety History follows the Police Department narrative.)
19
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Police
The Lexington Police Department, which provides public safety services through a team of dedicated
police officers, detectives, dispatchers and support staff, is supported by the Town's Capital Program in
the areas of communication systems, computer systems, and improvements to the facilities in which it is
housed and trained.
The primary, on-going Capital project for this Department is to provide a new Station as the current
facility at 1575 Massachusetts Avenue is out of date in every way and fails to meet the needs of proper
and complete policing for Lexington. (The DPF manages this project.) While the Design/Engineering
(D/E) funds were appropriated in FY2019, the contractor had only partially completed the Schematic
Design when the Select Board placed a hold on this project on October 5, 2020, by not supporting
progress past Schematic Design as further feedback from the Town citizens was considered warranted
regarding the future operations of the Police Department. When the hold is removed, it is expected that
due to the delay—during which the contractor reassigned its team—additional funding will be needed to
complete the D/E's Schematic Design and then the Design Development and Contract Documents. (See
the earlier Foreword section.)
Beyond not filling basic needs due to current overcrowding and functional inadequacy, the rebuild will
include many other necessary enhancements to bring the Police Station to 21St–century standards. One of
the crucial inadequacies in the current facility is that there is no secure entry to the building for a police
vehicle transporting a prisoner. Industry standard is a secure, controlled entryway through which a vehicle
could enter the building and then escort a person in custody directly to the booking and holding area ("a
sally port").
After extensive input from various Town committees, the Police Station design incorporated numerous
spaces that will give the Town and the Police Department flexibility for housing different services in the
future. The design also provides locker room and bathroom space for all users.
Throughout the design phase of this project, two locations for a new Station had been considered: the
current location at 1575 Massachusetts Avenue in the cluster of Town facilities and at the now -Town -
owned property at 173 Bedford Street. The latter had provided an interim facility ("swing space) for the
Fire Department while its new facility was being built at its old location ("swing space"). As that new
Fire Station was built and the Fire Department is not operating from the Bedford Street facility it is
planned for it to be the "swing space" when a new Police Station is rebuilt at its current location.
This Committee unanimously supports the new building, as currently designed, at the Station's current
location with swing space at the 173 Bedford Street property. (See the description of the DPF capital
program on Page 32)
A vital companion Capital project is a new police Public Safety -Training Facility—on the Hartwell
Avenue compost site. It has been contemplated for several years in order to meet current training
requirements and the needs of modern police work, as well as ensuring readiness to respond to the threats
currently on the streets. $50,000 for a Feasibility Study was appropriated for FY2016 (2015 ATM
Article I I (s)). That study has been completed and found such a facility to be feasible at that site. The next
step is funding Design, but that request has been deferred by the Select Board until further Town citizen
support and there is a better understanding of potential supplemental funding by the State—which already
recognizes the Commonwealth -wide need for such facilities to serve one or more municipalities—and
project and operating funding by the many municipalities in a region. A placekeeper regarding this
facility has been placed in the Town's FY2024 plan. (The DPF would manage the execution of such a
project.)
Last month the Federal Government rescinded its unfunded mandate that public -safety agencies
(including Lexington's Police and Fire & Rescue Departments) would be required to move their
radio–band frequency from the current 400 MHz band, to the 800 MHz band. (See the further discussion
on Page 18under the Fire & Rescue Department.) This is obviously a major relief to this Department's
(and the Fire & Rescue Department's) future budgeting.
20
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Public -Safety Departments 5 -Year Capital Appropriation History (All Sources)
(Combines Fire & Rescue and Police Departments Appropriations)
FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021
Fire Trucks & Ambulances $875,000 $280,000 $325,000
Public Safety Radio Stabilization $90,000
Public Safety Radio Console Replacement $370,000
Totals $965,0001 $280,0001 $370,000 $0 $325,000
(Police Department S -Year Capital Appropriation History has been combined with the Fire & Rescue
Department History hence this Public -Safety Departments History as some appropriations are for the
joint benefit of both Departments.)
Cary Memorial Library
Over the past decade, the Town has made several investments, totaling $249,000, to support
modernization of the Library—starting with an FY2011 funding of a study and ending with an FY2014
funding for an improvement—which was completed in October 2016. The Library has seen significant
improvement in operational efficiency. As a result of a 2013 strategic plan, the Library sought to realign
and reconfigure some of its spaces and services for today's Library patron needs. "Transformative
Spaces", a $1,200,000 project, was fully funded through private donations in 2016
The Library is embarking on another ambitious project, a renovation of the Children's Room that will
improve accessibility, create a flexible design that accommodates diverse programming objectives, and
improve safety. For FY2020, Town Meeting appropriated $100,000 (see 2019 ATM, Article 20(h)) for a
feasibility study, but the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the pace of work. The Library Trustees plan to
hire an architect who will engage with staff and the community to create potential designs and then
develop a cost estimate over this calendar year. A Capital request for schematic design and design
development is now contemplated for FY2023, and a subsequent request for construction funding is
anticipated in FY2024. However, as both the timing and the amount of future appropriations are uncertain
as the Library Trustees hope to obtain a substantial portion of the funding through private donations,
those entries in the Town's out -year financing plan are just placekeepers.
The Stone Building (former East Lexington Library Branch) continues to be maintained by the DPF in
caretaker status under the oversight of the Library's Board of Trustees. Restoration work was completed
in 2010 using $202,933 from the CPF under 2010 ATM, Article 8(q). The Massachusetts Historical
Commission Inventory on the building was also updated. Although the Historic Structures Report on
which this work was based recommended a small addition to the rear, those plans were not acted upon.
The Stone Building Feasibility/ Reuse Committee was established in August 2020 with a charge of
"exploring constructive 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... ". That Committee's final report to the Select Board is due by this September.
Library 5 -Year Capital Appropriation History (All Sources)
21
FY2017
FY2018
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Children's Room
$0
$0
$0
$100,000
$0
Renovation
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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Public Works
The Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for design, bidding, construction, and project
management related to Town infrastructure, including infrastructure related to buildings assigned to the
Department of Public Facilities (DPF). Routine maintenance and other operational activities are not
capital -related and are not addressed by this Committee.
The DPW is organized around seven divisions that are responsible for these elements: Administration,
Engineering, Highway, Public Grounds, Environmental Services, Water, and Sewer. Environmental
Services manages solid waste, recyclables, yard waste from Lexington and private contractors, and
hazardous products from Lexington and eight neighboring communities.
Major components of DPW's FY2022–FY2026 capital projects include:
• Road, sidewalk and signalization improvements
• Water distribution, sanitary -sewer, and pump station improvements
• Hydrant replacements
• Town Water Towers major repairs or replacements
• Comprehensive Watershed Stormwater Management Improvements
• Storm Drainage and National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Improvements
• Hartwell Ave. Long -Range Transportation Improvement Planning
• Trucks and heavy equipment necessary to accomplish the DPW mission
A 5 -history of DPW capital appropriations appears at the end of this section; the CEC's 5 -Year Capital
Plan can be found on Page 11.
DPW's capital needs—except when funded in whole or in part by the Town's CPF, Revolving Fund, or
Enterprise-Funds—must be funded by cash or financed through the general tax levy and/or
voter–approved debt exclusions. Almost all construction projects for the sanitary -sewer system and for
the water -distribution system are funded by Water- and Sewer -rate payers through the Enterprise Funds.
Large trucks and heavy equipment used in support of the sanitary -sewer and water -distribution systems
are also funded, either in whole or in part, by Enterprise Funds.
Engineering
Engineering work for all DPW projects is either done in-house or contracted through public procurement
to outside consulting or design firms. In addition to supporting ongoing DPW work, Engineering is a
major participant in DPW's future projects. The simple title of this Division does not reflect its enormous
and crucial contributions across the breadth of the DPW's capital and operational activities.
Roads
Lexington, as of the last full road -condition survey, has a total of approximately 196 miles of roads,
which include State and unaccepted roads. This total consists of 131 miles of Town -accepted roadways
(TAR), 18.5 miles of private/unaccepted roadways, and 46 miles of State highway. (Source: Stantec
FY2017 Asset Management Summary (Roads), January 2017). The DPW maintains the TAR; the
remainder being maintained by the private owners or the State. The DPW also maintains the Town's
portion (5.3 miles) of the 10.0 -mile Minuteman Commuter Bikeway ("Bikeway"), which opened in 1993.
In Apri12010, the Town retained Fay, Spofford & Thorndike (since acquired by Stantec), a
civil–engineering consulting firm, to develop and implement a Pavement Management System (PMS) for
the TAR and its portion of the Bikeway. The first study was completed in November 2010 and has been
updated annually. The PMS is based upon an extensive roadway database describing pavement conditions
and roadway characteristics, and originally reported conditions using a Pavement Condition Index (PCI),
which is a 100 -point scale with 100 representing the best possible condition.
The Town has since changed to a new software system that uses the term Road Surface Rating (RSR)
rather than PCI, and a new contractor (BETA Group) to do annual updates. Using the FY2018 BETA
update, the average RSR for the TAR continued to improve, from a PCI of 77.0 the previous year to an
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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
RSR of 79.33. The Town's modeling of the entire road network indicates that the RSR produces a slightly
lower value than the PCI, indicating that a PCI of 77 is about equal to an RSR of under 74, so the increase
in RSR value was actually greater than the numerical change might indicate. That 79.33 RSR signified
that the typical TAR condition in Lexington was at the top of the new "Preventative Maintenance" level
of road repair (a quality level which is better than previously achieved under the PCI formula).
The Town surveys one third of the roadways each year. The FY2020 update to what is now called the
Pavement Management Program (PMP), marking the completion of the latest three-year cycle, indicates
another steady improvement of the RSR from 79.33 to 84.93, moving the level of road repair squarely
into the next higher category of "Routine Maintenance".
While the initial 2010 study reported that replacement cost for just the TAR would be in excess of
$85,000,000 in FY2011 dollars, subsequent years have seen this number drop substantially, with the
FY2020 update pegging the repair backlog at $7,244,027. (A more detailed analysis of the 2010 report is
contained in this Committee's report to the 2011 ATM, beginning on Page 21). The Town has been
actively testing different road treatments as it seeks to extend the life of the roads and to lower
maintenance costs.
The FY2020 update recommends that the Town spend approximately $1.9 million annually to maintain
the current road network's RSR, or $2.6 million annually to further increase the RSR. The Town has been
exceeding these requirements in an effort to steadily improve the conditions of the roadways.
A list of planned street work in the 2021 construction period will be posted when available on the Town's
Engineering website at:
https://www.lexingtonma. ov/en ineen'ng/ ages/en ineenng-construction-projects.
This Committee is pleased to see a quantitative basis for determining the condition of the Town -
maintained pavements and the Town's success making substantial gains in the overall network's
condition. It also supports the DPW's continuing further efforts to raise the Town's baseline
pavement–condition grade to be solidly into the "Routine Maintenance" RSR Range (80-94). Continuing
with the PMP, along with DPW management of other potential impacts to our pavements (e.g., utility
work, construction for storm -water and wastewater system improvements, sidewalk -related projects, etc.)
offer the promise of an even more productive and cost-effective program going forward. Funding for the
Pavement Management Program is provided by a combination of Town Funds (typically 72%) and State
Chapter 90 funds. (See Article 12(h).)
Sometimes road work can be included in large, specific projects, such as the Center Streetscape Project.
The Hartwell Avenue bridge and intersection project, for which $7.535 million was appropriated at the
2013, 2015, and 2017 ATMs, is currently paused pending possible design changes to the size and
geometry of the bridge, roadway, and sidewalks that may be proposed by the $1,500,000 "25% Design of
the Route 4/225 Bedford Street—Hartwell Avenue—Wood Street Transportation Improvement Project"
funded at the STM 2019-1, November 12, 2019, Article 8.
Lexington's aggressive and creative approach to maintaining our roads and extending their useful life
shows up in the improvements noted above from 2010 to 2020. The national pavement preservation
industry trade group FP2 also took note with its 2020 excellence award to the Town Engineering
Department for its practices and results.
Sidewalks
The Town has approximately 80 miles of sidewalks and 1,050 pedestrian curb ramps (source: BETA
Sidewalk and Curb Ramp Assessment report, September, 2020). In 2005, due to the overdue need to
upgrade and extend the sidewalks, the SB appointed the Sidewalk Committee. In 2014, the DPW, with
assistance from the engineering firm Fay, Spofford & Thorndike, completed a sidewalk -condition survey
(report, December, 2014). The survey results found that the average area -based Sidewalk Condition Index
(SCI) in Lexington was 68—which put it in the middle of the "Partial Repair" treatment band. The survey
also found 40% of the sidewalk network was in the "Do Nothing" treatment band and 34% in the
"Localized Repair" treatment band. The Stantec survey recommendation was that it would require
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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
$750,000 to maintain current conditions. The proposed DPW sidewalk replacement program has been
based since then on the priority list developed in conjunction with that survey.
The FY2017 update reported that in December 2016, Stantec completed a 20% re -survey of the sidewalk
network and found the average, area -based, Sidewalk Network SCI was 68.8. It also reported that the
percentage of non-compliant ramps was 63%, a modest improvement from the 67% in 2014, and that the
cost of the current backlog of outstanding repairs for sidewalks and ramps was $7,527,990, an increase of
about $500,000 from the 2014 amount.
The Town has since been working with the BETA group to develop and implement an improved sidewalk
and ramp survey methodology that will provide more detailed and continuous data than the previous
studies. Inspections using the new methodology have been done on one third of the Town/s roadways
each year since 2018, and in September, 2020, a new Sidewalk and Curb Ramp Assessment report was
released covering all three phases.
The new methodology uses Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping tools and, in the case of
sidewalks, high-resolution cameras and lasers, to record the detailed conditions (including for the first
time measurements of sidewalk roughness), materials, and features of sidewalks and curb ramps across
Town. The new measurements, though far more detailed, do not use the same categories as before, so
comparisons are not yet available.
Using the new categories and the more detailed data, 50 of the 80 miles of sidewalk require either no
repairs at all, or minor repairs on less than 10% of the sidewalk segments. Another 27 miles require
repairs to between 10% and 25% of the segments surveyed, and the remaining 3 miles have at least some
sidewalk segments in poor condition. 932 of the curb ramps were found to require minor or no repairs; the
remaining 118 ramps will require replacement. In addition, 589 ramps are not yet ADA compliant. The
Department intends to analyze these new measurements and turn them into an updated condition index
that can be used to track summary conditions over time, including a method to compare the index to the
previous SCI numbers.
In October 2015, the SB assigned the responsibility of the Sidewalk Committee (now inactive) to the
Transportation Safety Group (TSG):
The Transportation Safety Group is a Town Manager appointed Working Group which meets
monthly to evaluate issues and concerns relative to traffic, transit, pedestrian, bicycle and parking
safety. Recommendations are made to the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager.
The working group includes citizens and representatives of the Police, Public Works, Planning
and School Departments. Liaisons from the Transportation Advisory, Bicycle Advisory, and Safe
Routes to School committees as well as the Commission on Disability also participate.
(http://www.lexingtonma.gov/transportation-safety-group)
With regard to the sidewalk network, including ramps, DPW maintains the primary responsibility for both
maintenance and capital projects of the existing sidewalk network while the TSG focuses on the need for
new sidewalks and pedestrian ramps, and bringing safety-related concerns about the existing network to
the attention of DPW.
Sidewalk replacement and extension are costly initiatives. Embedded in these costs are sidewalk -
construction obstructions, easement issues, and negotiations with residents. The DPW and TSG overall
policy has been to develop a prioritized sidewalk -construction plan focusing on the "Safe Routes to
School Program", other high -pedestrian -traffic routes, and streets with high walking hazards. All
reconstructed/new sidewalks and their pedestrian ramps are designed and constructed to comply with the
ADA. Approximately 15,000 linear feet of sidewalk improvements are currently completed each year.
The FY2022 request for general sidewalk work is Article 12(e); for new sidewalks, Article 12(k),
Townwide Signal Improvements
An Engineering Division study, funded with Traffic Mitigation funds, using signalized level of service
(LOS) has identified and prioritized the Town signal locations in need of improvement, after assessment
of conditions, signal timing, delays, ADA requirements, etc. As recommended, the Town has adopted a
24
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Standard Specification that allows for cost and maintenance efficiencies. The study did not include the
signals which are under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, including,
but not limited to: Bedford Street at Hartwell Avenue, Lowell Street at Maple Street, Marrett Road at
Spring Street, Marrett Road at Waltham Street, and Hayden Avenue at Route 2.
When Town intersections are improved, new signals are installed with "smart" controls (as applicable), as
is the case in the current Massachusetts Avenue at Worthen Road project. These controls provide
efficiencies like preventing light changes when there are no cars approaching or waiting, and watching for
pedestrians waiting to cross. With the Mass Avenue/Worthen Road project, nine of the Town's twelve
signalized intersections will have been upgraded with smart signalization. (Upgrading signalization is
done in conjunction with other intersection work.) No additional signalization funding is requested for
FY2022.
Water Distribution System
Many of the Town's 178 miles of water mains were installed in the early 1900s and require an ongoing
engineering program plan for pipe cleaning, lining, or replacement. On an annual basis, the DPW
implements work for cleaning, lining, and/or replacement of unlined, inadequate, aged, and breaking
water mains to improve water quality, pressure, and fire -protection capabilities, and to reduce frequency
and severity of water -main breaks, as well as to minimize long lengths of pipe not fed at both ends,
known as "dead ends". This work often requires excavation prior to pipe -condition analysis. Work
continues to replace remaining unlined pipes, of which 2% (4 linear miles) presently fall into this
category. Work will also focus on replacing aging mains or those with a higher -break history. In addition,
starting in FY2020, the annual funding requests have generally increased to $2.2 million so that 1% of the
Town's water -piping can be replaced, although the FY2022 request is for only $1.1 million due to a
backlog of water -system work. The Town anticipates returning to its long-term funding target starting
again in FY2023
Using some of the funding authorized in FY2016, engineering has completed an analysis of the entire
distribution network in order to prioritize work for the next phase of the improvement plan. This work has
produced a model of the network, now in use by the Engineering Division. Results of this analysis have
included: the establishment of specific level of service goals for all components of the water system;
identification of individual water mains to reline or replace; and identification of low-pressure areas in the
system. This work will allow the Engineering Division to continue its best practices in the documentation
of the materials, age, and break history of the Town's water mains and to use that information with
ongoing material sampling (when appropriate) to determine its engineering replacement and rehabilitation
plan. Some of the "out -year" funding in the Capital Plan is still approximate due to the difficulty of actual
testing in a working water system. Unlike roads which can be analyzed visually and with easily accessible
samples, water systems require more complex exploratory testing by excavation, when and where
possible. In some instances, work scope cannot be completely developed until preliminary exploratory
work on actual site conditions has been performed. For the general Water Distribution System funding,
see Article 13(a).
Heavy equipment and trucks used by the Water Division to maintain the system are procured with Water
Enterprise funds that are funded directly by Water -rate payers. Where equipment is shared with the Sewer
Division, the costs are shared.
In FY2022, the Town will begin to design replacements for its two water tanks, built in 1933 and 1950,
now approaching the end of their useful lives, and in need of repairs. Analysis will be done on the
feasibility of further temporary repairs, and on whether, if replacement is needed, it should be one or two
tanks. For the FY2022 funding request, see Article 13(b).
Hydrant System
This Committee continues to encourage replacement at an accelerated rate and supports the level of
funding proposed, which remains at the FY2021 level, estimated to allow the replacement of
approximately 60 of the Town's 1,500 hydrants per year. Hydrants have an estimated life of 50 years. The
FY2022 funding for hydrant replacement continues to be evenly divided between Tax Levy funds and the
Water Enterprise Fund. For further system information and the FY2022 funding request, see Article 12(1).
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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Wastewater System
The sanitary -sewer system (34 miles of trunk lines; 119 miles of street lines), like the water -distribution
system, has sections that date back to the early 1900s. Due to age-related deterioration, some sections are
susceptible to storm -water inflow and groundwater infiltration which increases the total flow to the
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) treatment system, resulting in increased charges to
the Town, and causing overloading of parts of the system, with the potential to spread waterborne disease.
Engineering has an ongoing program of investigating, evaluating, replacing and repairing sections of the
system. This work has been partially funded by the MWRA Infiltration/Inflow (I/I) Local Financial
Assistance Program, which provides grant and interest-free loan funding for member communities; the
current allocation provides for $1.56M, of which 75% is grant and 25% is a no -interest loan. For the
FY2022 funding request, see Article 14(b).
The system has ten sewage -pumping stations that need continual maintenance and periodic upgrading. In
July 2013, the engineering firm Wright -Pierce performed a detailed survey of the pump stations,
generating a 20 -year repair/replacement plan which the Town has been following. This year's request is
consistent with that plan. (See Article 14(a).)
Of the nine pumping stations determined to be large enough to warrant backup power, seven stations
(Main, Concord Avenue, Potter Pond, Brigham Road, Constitution Road, Marshall Road, and
Worthen Road) have had backup electric -power generators installed during the pump station upgrades.
Significant improvements to the main pump station were completed in October 2016, which include
heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) upgrades to bring up to current code requirements,
installation of Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) motors (which provide energy savings and noise
reduction in the sewer force main) on all the pumps, and a surge tank.
Design for work for the Hayden Avenue and North Street Stations is now underway, to be followed by
construction, and backup generators will be installed in these two locations. Once all ten stations have
been upgraded, the capital plan to maintain this critical infrastructure will again be re-evaluated and
updated.
Heavy equipment and trucks used by the Sewer Division are procured with Sewer Enterprise Funds that
are funded by Sewer rate -payer fees, additional fees and charges, investment income, and connection fees.
Where equipment is shared with the Water Division, the costs are shared.
Dam Restoration
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation mandates that every dam that is rated as a
"significant -hazard dam" or "high -hazard dam" be inspected every five years. Those ratings are assigned
to dams based on the risk of the water it impounds being released; they do not reflect its state of repair.
There are two dams at the significant -hazard level in Lexington.
Butterfield Dam on Lowell Street: Engineering studies and construction work were funded
under the 2011 ATM, Article 10(a), and the 2012 ATM, Article 12(g). Construction is now
complete, with continuing State -required monitoring of landscaping in sensitive resource
areas. The dam now complies with State requirements.
Old Reservoir Dam on Marrett Road: Dam inspection reports performed for the
Massachusetts Office of Dam Safety determined that there was a need for repairs and
improvements. The 2014 ATM, Article 10(i), funded design and cost estimates for the work
on this dam to insure its long-term stability. The 2017 ATM, Article 12(1), funded the
construction work and it is now complete.
Stormwater Drainage and National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES)
Storm drains collect stormwater along Town streets and parking areas, and convey this water to streams
and other bodies of water. The storm -drain pipes and 4,700 catch basins on the TAR that direct
stormwater to them occasionally fail due to heavy loads passing over and/or loss of supporting soil,
thereby creating holes in the street. In addition, as streets are repaired and repaved, it is frequently
discovered that the storm -drainage system is seriously deteriorated. Concurrent drainage -system repairs
are required to prevent further deterioration and to protect newly paved streets. It is also necessary to
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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
study and repair drains where overflow conditions develop and/or complaints are received. The goal of
the Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, under which the Town
has a State -administered permit, is to maintain water quality. New permitting regulations became
effective on July 1, 2018. Those new regulations represent an unfunded obligation that is expected to
increase both operating and capital costs and complexity of this work in future years; however, because of
the Town's aggressive efforts, it expects to remain compliant in FY2022 with approximately the same
level of funding provided in FY2021. Looking past FY2022, the Brown Book reports this goal on Page
X-6 under the Town Manager's initiatives: "Develop new revenue sources to support the budget,
particularly the capital budget, by looking at stormwater revenue....".
In anticipation of this mandated program and the ever-increasing needs of managing stormwater, a
number of municipalities nationwide, including some in Massachusetts. have instituted a Stormwater
Management Fee to offset the capital and operating costs of managing stormwater emanating from private
properties. Staff will be evaluating models for such a Stormwater Enterprise Fund over the next year.
In addition, the Engineering Department has developed several approaches to holding down the future
costs of NPDES compliance, including, for example, starting a year early on meeting the Illicit Discharge
Detection and Elimination (IDDE) requirements; the use of volunteer interns to help with the IDDE work;
and an innovative, lower cost phosphorous removal plan developed in conjunction with the Town of
Arlington and the University of New Hampshire.
Recent drainage improvements have been completed on Tyler Road, Sherburne Road South, Oak Street,
and Grant Street. Illicit discharges have previously been discovered in the Vine Brook and Mill Brook
areas. Next year, work will continue on the Valleyfield/Waltham Street and Oxbow/Constitution Road
drainage projects. This Committee welcomes Engineering's leadership and efforts, in compliance with
Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements, to improve the water quality in
Lexington's streams and ponds while protecting the Town's investment and structural integrity of its
streets. The Committee also applauds the help of the University of Massachusetts Lowell volunteer and
paid interns programs, which have contributed significantly to the detection and elimination of illicit
discharges in Town. For the FY2022 funding, see Article 12(f).
Comprehensive Watershed Stormwater Management Systems
In order that the Town's storm -drainage system capacity is maintained to handle runoff from impervious
surfaces, the Town must manage the stormwater runoff associated with its 18 brooks and three
watersheds. Additionally, sediment deposits, organic debris, and refuse can impede the flow of water
through watershed areas, and cause flooding and damage to private property, thus creating liabilities for
the Town. To date, the Charles River, Shawsheen River, and Mystic River watershed -management plans
have all been completed. The Pleasant Street and Willard Woods drainage improvements, as well as
stream -bank stabilization for the Vine Brook in the Saddle Club Road area, are complete. The Whipple
Brook area construction has been completed. Design work continues on the Oxbow/Constitution Road
and Valleyfield/Clematis Brook area projects, and DPW is reviewing which specific locations will be
addressed with remaining prior -year funding. [Note: There is some overlap with Townwide Culvert
Replacement as some projects require both culvert repair and stream -management planning.] For the
FY2022 funding, see Article 12(g).
Culverts
There are more than 50 culverts in Town. A culvert is defined as a pipe or drain that carries a stream or
ditch under a roadway. Many older culverts are near or at failure. DPW's engineering program for
ongoing culvert inspections has confirmed needs for culvert replacement and extraordinary repairs. This
is a companion effort to the ongoing Comprehensive Watershed Stormwater Management work. In 2015,
work was funded for the culvert under Revere Street at the North Lexington Brook, and the culvert under
Concord Avenue at Hardy's Brook. This work, as well as the Bikeway culvert which was funded for
FY2016, have all been completed. Work continues in the Oxbow/Constitution Road and
Valleyfield/Clematis Brook areas. In addition, the Engineering Department's Townwide culvert condition
analysis and asset management plan, which will guide the selection of future culvert replacements, is
nearing completion. For the FY2022 funding, see Article 12(c).
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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Public Grounds
The Town owns approximately 630 acres of land of which approximately 110 acres are in parks,
playgrounds, golf course, conservation areas, athletic facilities, school grounds, and historical sites. In
addition, DPW staff administers and maintains four cemeteries with a combined area of just over 30
acres. The Forestry staff maintains approximately 10,000 trees along roadways and an undetermined
number of trees, shrubs, and plantings on Town -owned land.
Minuteman Commuter Bikeway
In FY2015, there was an appropriation to investigate restoring the bridge carrying the Bikeway over
Grant Street. The construction work on the bridge was funded at the 2017 ATM under Article 12(m), and
is now complete. As noted above under Culvert Repair, there also was a request to replace a culvert
supporting the Bikeway. In addition, in FY2015 funding was authorized for the design of Wayfinding and
Etiquette signage for the Lexington portion of the Bikeway with follow-on FY2017 funding. This project
is expected to be completed by the fall. (Arlington and Bedford declined to participate.)
Town Center Streetscape Project
Increasing the vitality of Lexington Center has long been an open-ended goal of the Town as businesses
come and go and usage patterns change. Projects in support of the Center have been both large and small,
including rezoning the former Battle Green Inn site and the installation of seasonal "pocket parks" on
Massachusetts Avenue. Infrastructure deterioration in the Center, and safety enhancements as traffic
volume has increased, are significant concerns. To address these issues in a coordinated manner, the
Center Streetscape Improvements Project was created. When fully implemented, it would address
sidewalks, roadway, trees, lighting, bicycle and vehicular safety, and additional elements from
business -front to business—front across Massachusetts Avenue and run, northwesterly, from just after the
intersection with Woburn Street, Winthrop Road, and Fletcher Avenue to just beyond Meriam Street.
(The Woburn Street intersection, originally included, has been removed from the scope of the Project to
be addressed separately at a later time.) The results of this Project would be further enhanced at the
Men am Street end by work under the Battle Green Streetscape Project.
The Center Streetscape Project has a funding and design -change history going back to the 2012 ATM,
when it was first introduced as a Center Business District sidewalk restoration project to cost
approximately $4,000,000. Since then, the Project has been through many public reviews and redesigns,
with substantial changes to the scope of the Project and its estimated design and construction costs. At the
2014 ATM, $600,000 was appropriated to carry the design to 100%, including bid documents. However,
the design that had been advanced to the 25% level was stopped at that point because unresolved issues
with the Project failed to gain approval of construction funding at the 2015 ATM. At the 2016 ATM,
another request for construction funds was Indefinitely Postponed.
At a February 2016 Financial Summit, a presentation cited the total cost of the expanded Project at
approximately $8,500,000. Because of continuing concerns about the Project's scope, the SB formed the
Center Streetscape Design Review Ad hoc Committee, to pull together and review all aspects of the
Project and to seek more community input before proceeding to a new 25% design. In 2017, the SB
adopted almost all of that committee's consensus recommendations, and the Project proceeded to a
revised 25% design using the previous funding, with a considerably different set of design elements than
those represented in the previous 25% design. Funding at the 2017 ATM was again Indefinitely
Postponed to allow for more time to revise the design and cost estimate. A subset of the Ad hoc
committee was established as a Working Group to become a part of the design effort.
At the November 2018 Special Town Meeting, $550,000 was appropriated to complete a 100% design of
the revised scope, which included a detailed tree inventory and management plan and substantial lighting
revisions. ($100,000 of previously appropriated funding was available and eligible to be applied to that
work.) The full construction -cost estimate of the Project at that time was $9,372,350. That revised cost
estimate also included substantial full-time management costs, as well as robust police detail costs that it
is hoped will minimize the impact of construction on Center businesses. The Town's Design Team,
managed by the Department of Public Works, through its extensive work with the Ad hoc Committee,
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
direction from the SB, and leadership of the Working Group, believed that it had a thoroughly vetted and
well -supported view of the Project at that time.
The fall 2018 STM approved funding ($550,000 to augment $100,000 funds on hand) for the completion
of the design for the Center Streetscape, with the understanding that further review would occur when the
design work was 75% complete. The 75% design and a revised construction cost estimate of $9,101,730
were presented and approved at the 2019 ATM. The design is now complete and out for bid, with an
award expected by the end of this month, and the work to be done over two construction seasons starting
in the spring of 2021 and ending in the fall of 2022.
DPW Equipment
DPW currently has 146 pieces of significant equipment (including vehicles). The current
equipment—replacement value is approximately $10 million and includes pick-up and dump trucks,
construction vehicles, and specialized equipment including pumps, rollers, sprayers, and mowers.
Replacement intervals vary from 5 to 20 years and are based upon manufacturers' recommendations and
DPW experience. Of these, 129 pieces had an individual acquisition cost in excess of $25,000; therefore,
their replacement would normally be characterized as Capital and subject to this Committee's review.
DPW has developed a well -conceived program, which includes annual updates produced by Division
Superintendents, with review by the Manager of Operations and Department of Public Works Director.
This program replaces older, less fuel-efficient, and high -maintenance equipment with standard,
off—the—shelf, vehicles and equipment that will last longer and cost less to maintain and operate.
Automobile replacement and all equipment with individual acquisition costs under $25,000 are funded
with operating funds. The current 5 -year equipment -replacement schedule projects annual costs between
$1.4 million to $1.6 million per year. For the FY2022 funding request, see Article 12(d).
29
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
DPW 5 -Year Capital Appropriation History (All Sources)
FY2017 FY2018 FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Capital using Tax Levy & Chapter 90 Funds
DPW E ui menti $464,000 $598,000 $1,039,500
$900,000
$1,038,000
Street Improvements & Easements2 $2,526,835 $3,688,943 $2,600,000
$3,590,597
$2,634,022
Street lights/Traffic si nals3 $125,000 $125,000
$125,000
$125,000
Center Business District "Center" Streetsca e $350,0001 $550,000
$9,101,730
Battle Green Master Plan 1
$317,044
Town -wide Culvert Replacement $390,000 $390,000 $390,000
$390,000
Drainage/da ms/brook cleaning 4 $340,000 $1,100,000 $340,000
$385,000
$385,000
Sidewalk/walkway/bikeway
improvements 5,6,7,8,9,10 $924,500 $1,318,000 $2,200,000
$2,300,000
$1,080,000
Comprehensive Watershed Study & Implement $390,000 $390,000
$390,000
Hydrant Replacement $75,000 $75,000 $75,000
$75,000
$75,000
Public Grounds
Electric Vehicle EV Charging Stations
$40,750
Hartwell Avenue Infrastructure Improvements $2,185,000 $50,000
Tax Levy & Chapter 90 Totals $5,585,3351 $9,479,9431 $7,634,5001
$17,298,0771
$5,654,066
Unused borrowing authority was rescinded of $27,022 at the 2016 ATM. FY2018 includes $40,000 for a highway sign
2All years include State Chapter 90 funding. FY2015 includes $500,000 for the Massachusetts Avenue Intersections
Project. FY2018 includes $175,000 for Bedford Street at Eldred Street Safety Improvements.
3FY2018 includes $117,979 of unused bond proceeds of prior -years' capital projects.
4FY2018 includes $760,000 for extraordinary repairs and improvements to the Old Reservoir Dam.
5FY2015 includes unspecified amounts for a new sidewalk on Pleasant Street, new sidewalk on
portions of Prospect Hill
Road where no sidewalk exists and reconstructing the intersection of Prospect Hill Road and
Marrett Road.
6FY2016 includes $10,000 toward Bikeway Bridge Repairs and Engineering Work & $50,000 for
design of a new sidewalk to
the Lexington Community Center.
7FY2017 includes $149,500 for Cary Memorial Library walkway and $175,000 to complete having
sidewalks on
Pleasant
Street.
8FY2018 includes $368,000 for Bikeway Bridge Extraordinary Renovations and $150000 for Hill
Street sidewalk design.
9FY2020 includes $1,500,000 for the Hill St. Sidewalk.
1OFY2021 includes $280,000 for new sidewalks in two locations.
Capital using Enterprise Funds
Sanitary Sewer
Sanitary Sewer System $1,200,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
Pump station upgrades $1,350,000 $800,000 $800,000
1 1
$700,000
$401,200
DPW Equipment $40,500 $145,500
$200,000
Automatic Water -Meter Reading Equipment $20,000
$2,970,000
Sewer Sub -Totals $2,590,5001 $1,945,5001 $1,820,000
$4,870,000
$1,401,200
Water
Water Mains Relining & Replacement $3,400,000 $1,000,000
$2,200,000
$2,200,000
DPW Equipment $40,500 $145,500
1 1
$200,000
$55,000
Hydrant Replacement $75,000 $75,000 $75,000
$75,000
$75,000
Automatic Water -Meter Reading Equipment $20,000
$2,970,000
Water Sub -Totals $3,515,5001 $220,5001 $1,095,0001
$5,445,0001
$2,330,000
Enterprise -Fund Total $6,106,000 $2,166,000 $2,915,000
$10,315,000
$3,731,200
Capital using Revolving...Funds
Compost Operating Revolving Fund
DPW Equipment
$525,0001
$275,000
Hartwell Avenue Compost -Site Improvements 1
$200,000
Compost Fund Sub -Total $0 $0 $0
$725,0001
$275,000
Sale of Cemetery Lots Special Revolving Fund
Westview Cemetery Buildin 11
Moved to DPF
Westview Cemetery Irrigation 1
$35,000
Sale of Cemetery Lots Fund Sub -Total $0 $0 $0
$35,000
$0
Revolving Fund Total $0 $0 $0
$760,000
$275,000
Grand Total $11,691,335 $11,645,943 $10,549,500
$28,373,077
$9,660,266
11Asendorsed by this Committee, this project has become the responsibility of the DPF-with DPW is its "client' -so this
design funding ($270,000 General Fund debt with debt service funded from this revolving fund) has been moved to the
DPF's funding history.
30
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Public Facilities
The Department of Public Facilities (DPF) coordinates and cares for all Town -owned buildings under the
control of the SB, Town Manager, Library Trustees, and School Committee. Expenses associated with the
DPF staffing, maintenance (including preventive maintenance), custodial services, capital -project
management, utilities, landscaping and grounds (at schools only), and managing of building rentals and
other reservations for use of building spaces are the responsibility of this department.
DPF is currently responsible for buildings at 26 locations:
• Town Office Building
• Cary Memorial Building (CMB)
• Police Station
• Fire & Rescue Headquarters
• East Lexington Fire & Rescue Station
• Samuel Hadley Public Services Building
• Stone Building (in caretaker status; previously used as the East Lexington Library)
• Cary Memorial Library
• Visitors Center (substantially complete as of July 2020)
• Lexington Community Center (LexCC)
• Unit in the Muzzey Condominiums, 1475 Massachusetts Avenue
(in caretaker status; previously as Senior Center—which is now at the LexCC)
• Westview Cemetery
• Hammond A. Hosmer House (in caretaker status)
• Animal Shelter, Westview Street
• 173 Bedford Street (was swing space for the Fire & Rescue Headquarters; expected to be for the
Police Station)
• Ten schools (replacement building for Maria Hastings Elementary School is complete and
occupied, additional work on the site is ongoing)
• Old Harrington School (Schools' Central Administration is the primary occupant).
The DPF is organized around four areas: Administration, Project Management, Facility Maintenance and
Repair, and Custodial Services. Administration administers the Department. Project Management handles
major capital renovations and provides staff support to the Town's Permanent Building Committee for
new construction. Facility Maintenance and Repair maintains and repairs all the facilities listed below.
Custodial Services is responsible for custodial services in all those facilities.
DPF has taken a systematic approach to solving problems that affect both Municipal and School
buildings, including roofs, flooring, building envelope, and school paved parking and sidewalk areas. In a
few cases the solutions have been programs with annual funding and could be considered more as
ongoing maintenance than capital expenditures. However, as the needs exist and the work has
traditionally been funded using GF cash, the Committee supports labeling these projects as "Capital".
The 2020 ATM approved several DPF-related appropriations:
• Lexington Police Station Rebuild Design (2018 ATM, Article 14, $1,862,622: No additional
funding at the 2020 ATM) is currently paused in working towards Schematic Design completion
and anticipating construction funding at the 2022 ATM. There are more details presented below
and the earlier Foreword section.
• Building Flooring Program (Article 16(h)(1), $125,000): Saw work completed in the Harrington
School 1st and 2nd floor hallways, the Public Services Building (PSB) Caf6 and back hallway.
• The School Paving Program (Article 16(h)(2), $125,000): Saw work completed on the
Harrington, Bridge, Bowman schools' sidewalks and the Central Office entrance drive and front
circle.
31
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
• Municipal Building Envelopes and Systems (Article 16(g), $208,962): Monies were used for the
Lexington Community Center exterior stairway, brick walkways, siding replacement, and brick
under the rotunda.
• School Building Envelopes and Systems Program (Article 16(f), $239,285): These funds were
used for Window repair/replacement, caulking, etc. at Bridge, Bowman, and Central
Administration.
• LHS Science Classroom Space Mining (Article 16(d), $150,000): Work was completed last
summer and students are occupying the spaces.
• Public Facilities Mechanical/Electrical System (Article 160), $672,000): Work at the Lexington
Community Center is in progress.
• Public Facilities Master Plan (Article 16(c), $100,000): DPF has been working with LDa
Architecture & Interiors on developing a scope of work, proposal and schedule for this project.
• Center Recreation Complex Bathrooms & Maintenance Building Renovation (Article 16(b),
$100,000): Design is in progress.
• Townwide Roofing Program (Article 16(e), $2,010,152: Work on the Bridge School is expected
to finish in summer 2021.
• Westview Cemetery Building (Article 16(k), $3,290, 000: Construction Documents are at roughly
50% completion and scheduled to be presented to the Permanent Building Committee (PBC),
Design Advisory Committee (DAC), and the Sustainable Lexington Committee on the final set of
plans before it goes out to bid in March.
• Public Facilities Bid Documents (Article 16(1), $100, 000): As of February 3, 2021, $41,880 have
been applied.
This year's request for DPF Capital funding includes a wide range of important work to both enhance
buildings to meet the programmatic demands of the programs that occur in them as well as to perform
extraordinary repairs that are essential to extending the useful life of the buildings. (See Article 12.)
The DPF is in the process of considering a consultant's report of all the Town facilities with a 20—year
perspective. This Committee has not seen the voluminous report and what budgeting it addresses, whether
it be routine or extraordinary maintenance, which would impact both Operating and Capital Budgets,
respectively. The current budgeting and finance planning is for all five years: FY 2022 through FY 2026.
The preliminary DPF narratives include future forecasts that are many multiples of current levels;
however, DPF is ascertaining to what degree to incorporate the recommendations from that report into its
formal budgeting and finance policy going forward. Specifically, none of what might be in the outyears
under a new 20 -year perspective are incorporated into the current 5 -Year Capital Plan. We anticipate that
next year's requests will reflect many significant future increases throughout the Plan.
The Brown Book contains the following information about the Lexington Police Station Reconstruction
project. Although there is no Article for this in the Warrant for this Annual Town Meeting, all parties are
currently anticipating this to be brought up at the 2022 Annual Town Meeting. The following parameters
are in the Brown Book, but will change as they have not been revised for over a year while the project has
been idled):
FY2022 Recommended Projects—Funding Through Proposition 2% Debt Exclusion (Table V)
* Corrected from the $25,544,742 in the FY2022 Brown
Book
"The existing police station opened in 1956 and lacks many basic amenities of a modern police facility.
The building does not have an elevator or a sally port for prisoner access to the cell block. It also lacks a
fire sprinkler system. The indoor firing range, locker rooms, garage and office spaces are inadequate.
Bathrooms on the basement and second floor levels are not ADA compliant. The heating and cooling
systems are inefficient, and the building is served by two separate electrical systems which cause
problems during outages.
32
Amount To Be
Project Description
Requested
Funding Source
Lexington Police Station
GF (Exempt
Reconstruction
$25,651,792
Debt)
* Corrected from the $25,544,742 in the FY2022 Brown
Book
"The existing police station opened in 1956 and lacks many basic amenities of a modern police facility.
The building does not have an elevator or a sally port for prisoner access to the cell block. It also lacks a
fire sprinkler system. The indoor firing range, locker rooms, garage and office spaces are inadequate.
Bathrooms on the basement and second floor levels are not ADA compliant. The heating and cooling
systems are inefficient, and the building is served by two separate electrical systems which cause
problems during outages.
32
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
"In FY2017, the Town appropriated $65,000 for a feasibility study to consider locations for constructing a
new Police Station. In FY2019, the Town funded the design and engineering of a new Police Station at its
current location, 1575 Massachusetts Avenue. The funding request for the demolition and reconstruction
of the Police Station, and temporary relocation space, was originally planned for the 2021 Annual Town
Meeting, but has been postponed to allow the community to engage in conversations regarding race,
social justice and the future of policing. This project is expected to come forward at a future Town
meeting, potentially in FY2022 with a debt exclusion vote to follow."
[Brown Book, Page XI -10]
That FY2017 appropriation was made at the September 21, 2016, STM 2016-5, under Article 5; an
FY2019 appropriation of $1,862,622 was made at the 2018 ATM, under Article 14, for the D/E.
Public Facilities 5 -Year Capital Appropriation History (All Sources)
(Exclusive of Land -Acquisition Costs)
Program
FY2017
FY2018
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Visitor Center Renovation/ Upgrade
$100,000
$4,575,000
$525,000
Westview Cemetery Building
$270,000
$3,290,000
Old Reservoir Bathhouse
$75,000
$620,000
Building Envelope
$187,329
$344,713
$198,893
$203,865
$208,962
Townwide Roofing
$176,4001
$2,010,152
Fire & Rescue Headquarters
$4,666,000
$500,000
$18,820,700
Police Headquarters Rebuild
$65,000
$1,862,622
Munroe School (Munroe Center for
the Arts) 4
$328,000
$675,000
Community Center Renovations
1
$425,000
Municipal Sub -Total
$5,422,7291
$2,314,7131
$25,532,215
$1,348,865
$5,509,114
Schools
Lexington Children's Place
$3,081,500
$11,997,842
Maria Hastings School Replacement
$63,059,418
High School Overcrowding
Renovations/ Expansions
$97,020
$440,200
$150,000
High School Heating System
$500,000
$600,000
Public Facilities Bid Documents
$100,0001
$217,979
$100,000
$100,000
$100,000
Building Envelope
$215,000
$222,200
$352,755
$233,448
$239,285
Landscaping/Paving/Playgrounds
$176,226
$236,890
$125,000
Major Electrical/Mechanical Systems
Upgrades
$605,000
$672,000
Interior Renovations
$125,000
Security Standardization
$49,5001
$150,000
$338,600
School Traffic Mitigation for Safety
$25,0001
$45,000
Schools Sub -Total
$986,520
$67,992,5231
$13,026,0871
$938,4481
$1,411,285
Grand Totals
$6,409,2491
$70,307,2361
$38,558,3021
$2,287,3131
$6,920,399
As endorsed by this Committee, this project has become the responsibility of the DPF-with DPW is its
"client" -so this design funding ($270,000 General Fund debt with debt service funded from this revolving fund)
has been moved from the DPW's funding history.
2 As endorsed by this Committee, this project has become the responsibility of the DPF-with DPW is its
"client" -so this design funding ($75,000 CPF (Cash)) has been moved from the Recreation's funding history.
3 Includes costs for interim facility at 173 Bedford St -initially for the Fire & Rescue Headquarter's use and then
to rehabilitate that facility for the Police Headquarter's use.
4 FY2017 is $298,000 for roof replacement whose debt service shall be covered by an increase in the lease
payments by the Munroe Center for the Arts and $30,000 for a study of the windows funded from the CPF
33
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Recreation
Recreation Department programs are funded from three sources:
General -Fund Tax Levy (e.g., used for neighborhood playgrounds, athletic fields, and basketball
court improvements if not recommended by the Community Preservation Committee for CPA
funding);
R&CP EF (e.g., used for fee-based activities such as Pine Meadows Golf Course, Community
Center, Irving H. Mabee Pool, Old Reservoir, and tennis courts). Fee collections for Enterprise
Fund -based activities were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as most in-person
programs were cancelled. The R&CP EC made an annual indirect payment to the Town that was
$269,281 in FY2020, but then required a $400,000 influx of support from the tax levy through an
appropriation at the 2020 Fall STM to overcome a budget shortfall. The Town Manager
established a Financial Guideline Working Group in November 2020, and one objective is to
create a stable financial -funding model for the Recreation Department. The Working Group's
recommendation could be incorporated in the next budgetary cycle if endorsed by the SB.
CPA funds (available for creation and preservation of recreation facilities, including those for fee-
based activities). CPA monies have enabled some large projects which otherwise might not have
been financially viable. For example, at the 2018 ATM, CPA funding provided funding for
the $3.34 million Center Track Renovation project, which was completed in July 2020. With
R&CP EF impaired by the pandemic, the CPA is a stable, important source of Recreation Capital
Funding. See Article 10(b—d) for the entire list of FY2022 recreation -funding requests from the
CPF.
The Recreation Department completed a 2017 Accessibility Study of its facilities, which has changed the
Department's priorities and is resulting in higher recreation -facilities investment to address deficiencies.
After a $75,000 feasibility study funded under the 2018 ATM, Article 10(i), the Old Reservoir Bathhouse
Renovation is an example of a Capital project that took on greater urgency after the Accessibility Study.
$620,000 in construction funding was approved under the 2019 ATM, Article 14(g). After all initial
responses to the Town's RFP exceeded budget, the Department is exploring alternative options to reduce
costs. However, there is a possibility that the Recreation Department may need to seek additional funding
at a future Town Meeting. The Park & Playground Improvements (Articles 10(b)) as well as the Center
Recreation Complex Bathrooms & Maintenance Building Renovation (Article 16(g)) include significant
accessibility improvements.
Demand for Recreation facilities remains strong, and the community needs more fields, particularly
synthetic fields that can be used even in inclement weather, and with lights that can extend playing time.
Negotiations to share the use of a new Athletic Field Complex at the Minuteman High School have been
put on hold. An Athletic Fields Feasibility Study is underway, which will give the Recreation Department
greater insight into community needs and where to invest limited resources.
34
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Recreation 5 -Year Capital Appropriation History (All Sources)
Program
FY2017
FY2018
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Athletic Fields
$120,000
$125,000
78
$435,000
$470,000
Park, Playgrounds, & Tot Lots
$136,000
$60,000
$302,000
$302,000
$95,000
Pine Meadows Golf Course
$65,000
$55,000
$60,000
$75,000
High School (9-12)
Irving H. Mabee Poole
$166,000
$1,620,000
Moved to DPF
Totals 7,0721
Lincoln Fields Improvements
$30,000
6,933
Antony Park (within Tower Park)
$60,000
Minuteman Commuter Bikeway
$120,000
Hard Court Resurfacing
$50,000
$100,000
Athletic Facility Lighting
$975,000
$450,000
Recreation Community Needs
Assessment
$50,000
Reconstruction
L
1
$3,340,000
Totals
1 $697,0001
$1,860,0001
$4,677,0001
$912,0001
$1,115,000
1FY2021 $100,000 for Athletic Fields Feasibility Study for the 14 Town -owned properties & $370,000 for
improvements.
2Previously included a project at the Old Reservoir Bathhouse. As endorsed by this Committee, that
project has become the responsibility of the DPF-with Recreation as its "client" -so the design funding
($75,000 CPF (Cash)) has been moved to the DPF funding history.
Schools
Overview
The Lexington Public Schools (LPS) provide educational, athletic, and club activities for students in
grades Pre -Kindergarten -12. This is the enrollment for the current and the four previous academic years:
Enrollment in Lexinqton Public Schools
tEnrollment figures are those as of October 1st as required by the State's Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for each academic year.
LPS currently owns and operates a preschool (the Lexington Children's Place (LCP)), six
elementary-school buildings, two middle -school buildings, and the high-school complex of four,
freestanding, academic buildings and a field house. Central Office ("Administration") personnel and
services are located in what had been the old Harrington School. The maintenance of these fourteen
buildings is overseen by the DPF.
Starting in 2005 with the opening of the Harrington elementary school, the Town of Lexington has been
building and renovating its school buildings to address issues of obsolesce and what had been rising
enrollments. A new building for LCP opened in 2019. The following elementary-school buildings have
been replaced with new schools: Harrington [2005], Fiske [2007], Estabrook [2014] and Maria Hastings
[2020]. The Bowman and Bridge elementary schools were renovated and expanded via space mining
35
Academic Year
Grades
2016/2017
2017/2018 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021
Pre -Kindergarten Pre -K)
78
71 74
84
57
Elementary (Kindergarten
K-5 3,066
3,150 3,096
3,023
2,794
Middle Schools 6-8
1,743
1,813 1,833
1,832
1,796
High School (9-12)
2,1851
2,2121 2,2751
2,2911
2,286
Totals 7,0721
7,2461 7,2781
7,2301
6,933
tEnrollment figures are those as of October 1st as required by the State's Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for each academic year.
LPS currently owns and operates a preschool (the Lexington Children's Place (LCP)), six
elementary-school buildings, two middle -school buildings, and the high-school complex of four,
freestanding, academic buildings and a field house. Central Office ("Administration") personnel and
services are located in what had been the old Harrington School. The maintenance of these fourteen
buildings is overseen by the DPF.
Starting in 2005 with the opening of the Harrington elementary school, the Town of Lexington has been
building and renovating its school buildings to address issues of obsolesce and what had been rising
enrollments. A new building for LCP opened in 2019. The following elementary-school buildings have
been replaced with new schools: Harrington [2005], Fiske [2007], Estabrook [2014] and Maria Hastings
[2020]. The Bowman and Bridge elementary schools were renovated and expanded via space mining
35
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
[2013]. The middle schools Clarke and Diamond were renovated and expanded [2017]. In addition,
modular classrooms were added to Bowman, Bridge, and Fiske [2017], and in two phases at the high
school [2014, 2016]. Space mining to add science laboratory space has taken place in the summers of
2019 and 2020.
In the 2020-2021 school year, the national COVID-19 pandemic has impacted school enrollments,
reducing student loads across the board, especially in the elementary schools. It is hoped that the 2021-
2022 school year will return to a near normal state, with enrollments in line with past forecasts. Currently
it is expected that the preschool and elementary schools will have sufficient capacity for the foreseeable
future. Over the next few years the middle -school population could potentially rise to or a little above
capacity. The high school is likely to continue to have a population above the general classroom capacity,
and space mining is needed for additional science classrooms, and it will be well over capacity in
ancillary areas such as the cafeteria. In addition, the high school is past its expected life and will need
extensive renovation or replacement in the near future.
Preschool: The capacity at LCP for the educational program as it existed pre-COVID-19 was 166 slots (a
half-day student takes one slot, and a full-day student takes two slots) across programs for Intensive
Learning Program, integrated special education, and general education. The enrollment tends to start low
at the start of the school year and grow during the year as children reach the age of two years and nine
months. To date the maximum enrollment has been 136 slots (2017-2018). In the school year 2020-2021
the program was greatly reduced due to a reduced length of the school day and social distancing
requirements. It is expected that the number of students will rebound to pre-COVID-19 levels when the
pandemic is over.
Elementary schools: The capacity (as provided by the LPS in 2016) is 3,248 and current
(October 1, 2020) enrollment is 2,794, down from 3,023 last year. Each school is operating well within its
capacity. Elementary enrollments are projected to remain relatively stable and safely below capacity out
to the current forecast horizon of school year 2024-2025.
Middle schools: The capacity in the middle schools after the previous renovations and expansion are 903
at Clarke and 946 at Diamond for a total of 1,849. Current enrollments are 881 and 915, respectively, for
a total of 1,796. Enrollments are currently projected to rise into the range of about 1,870 in the near term
so the population may shortly be a little above capacity. The situation will require monitoring, but severe
overcrowding has largely been addressed. In addition to regular classroom space, there is expected to be
an increased need for space for the special education Intensive Learning Program at Diamond requiring
some space mining. (See Article 16(h).)
High School: The High School has been expanded in two phases through modular -classrooms additions.
After the first set, Symmes, Maim, McKee Associates, in January 2015, estimated the high-school
capacity at 2,325. The second set added space primarily for the Intensive Learning Program (ILP) special -
education program, but included two general -education classrooms, bringing the capacity to
approximately 2,375. While the current enrollment of 2,286 is within the general -use classroom capacity,
if COVID-19 is brought under control allowing a full return of the student population, enrollment is
expected to surpass the general classroom capacity by October 1, 2022, and to reach approximately 2,455
by October 1, 2024. In addition, other facilities such as the cafeteria and science laboratories are currently
severely overcrowded. The science—classroom space needs are being partially addressed by space mining.
One science classroom was outfitted in the summer of 2019 using existing operating funds, and another
was outfitted in the summer of 2020 using an appropriation in the last fiscal year. Additional
modifications of existing interior space is expected to be necessary to outfit another science classroom in
the summer of 2023. Even with these measures, the High School will remain severely overcrowded until
replaced or significantly enlarged.
Preparations for high-school renovations and enlargement, or replacement, are already underway, though
the timing of the project is dependent on when the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA)
will select the project as part of its reimbursement program. The Town submitted a Statement of Interest
(SOI) to the MSBA in March 2019, and received encouraging feedback before the application was
eventually denied. The Town resubmitted an SOI in April 2020, but as of this report's publishing has not
36
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
received any response as the MSBA's typical process has been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. (As
of the publishing of this report, the MSBA has said that the announcement for this cycle will be this
Spring—but no more specific date has been provided.) If the MSBA invites Lexington into its
reimbursement program this year, the Town would be required to fund the next -step feasibility study
within 270 days—which is in FY2022, either at the 2021 ATM (see Article 24 for the request in this
ATM) or at a 2021 Fall STM. If Lexington is not invited into the MSBA process before this ATM is
otherwise ready to be dissolved, then Article 24 will have been Indefinitely Postponed before that
dissolution and it is expected that another SOI will be submitted to the MSBA to complete in the next
cycle.
While there are no official cost estimates at this time, and costs may depend on renovation versus
replacement, this will be a Capital undertaking on a scale never before experienced by Lexington. The
Town is currently modeling a new high school with an estimated total cost of $350 million—which would
be an approximate net cost of $256 million if the MSBA accepts the project. For planning purposes, that
net cost reflects a reimbursement rate of about 27% which is comparable to recent Town projects and
reflects the fact that often there are design features our Town deems essential, but are not eligible for
reimbursement. It remains to be seen if that $350 million is a sufficient total cost of the design and
construction. It is estimated that MSBA projects, under typical circumstances, take 6 years from
feasibility–study approval to the opening of a new or a major -renovated building(s).
Additional overcrowding is expected well before a new high school can be completed, so the high school
will require some Capital investment for continued space mining—in particular for science -laboratory
space, and possibly for modification of the cafeteria, and additional general -education classrooms. The
School Administration has budgeted another $200,000 in FY2023 to create the additional science
classrooms. At this time, as enrollment forecasts are obscured by the pandemic, it is unclear what other
space -mining initiatives and capacity additions will be necessary.
While Capital projects for the LPS buildings and their environs are managed by the DPF, there currently
is an annual request for capital appropriations directly managed by LPS for school technology. (See
Article 15.)
School Technology Program
There is a long-term plan to upgrade technology for students and staff throughout the schools by replacing
the oldest computers, Chromebooks, iPads, peripherals, projection systems, network -delivery systems,
and other associated hardware and software in order to have enhanced Pre -K through grade 12
instructional and administrative tools. (See Article 15.) Funding for at least some of the shorter lifespan
technology items will be cash funding within the operating budget to avoid the costs of debt financing.
Schools -Managed 5 -Year Capital Appropriation History (All Sources)
Program
FY2017
FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021
Technology
$1,198,000
$1,331,900 $1,715,300 $1,019,812 $1,186,236
Classroom & Administrative Furnituret
$186,000
$123,000
Food Service Equipmentt
$75,000
Totals 1
$1,384,0001
$1,529,9001 $1,715,3001 $1,019,8121 $1,186,236
t Starting in FY2019, this category is funded in the Schools Operating Budget
37
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Innovation & Technolo�y
This department supports, maintains and manages the Town's information—technology systems
(hardware, software, and Web sites) that are critical service -delivery elements and provide program
management for all of the Town's departmental operations. Services provided include: municipal
Information Technology hardware/software operations and support for all activities; staff training;
financial -management hardware and software (including the Town's Munis system) maintenance that
serves Town and School departments; electronic mail and Internet access; Town website support; phone
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) infrastructure and applications; head—end management and support;
and co -management, with School Department Information Technology staff, of the Town's wide—area
network actively connecting to 28 Town and School buildings.
There is one FY2022 request. See Article 12(m).
IT 5 -Year Capital Appropriation History (All Sources)
Program
FY2017
FY2018
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Public Safety Radio Connectivity
$81,0001 $0 $20,0001 $20,0001 $20,000
$370,000
Telephone System Replacements
$21,000
$120,000
$150,000
$150,000
MIS Technology Improvement
Program
$150,000
$100,000
$200,000
$100,000
$100,000
Network Redundancy &
1 m rovement
$130,000
$350,000
Application I mplementation
$390,000
$325,000
Totals
$171,0001
$350,0001
$920,0001
$640,0001
$575,000
Town Clerk's Office
This Office is the primary repository of official documents for the Town, and the custodian of, and
recording office for, official Town and vital records. Responsibilities include issuing marriage licenses,
recording vital statistics, issuing dog licenses, registering businesses, conducting the annual Town Census
and publishing the results, maintaining the Town Archives, managing the Public Meeting Calendar in
accordance with the Open Meeting Law, overseeing ethics training, and creating and recording permanent
Town Meetings records. This Office conducts elections in conformance with State and local laws and,
with the Board of Registrars, processes voter registrations and certifications.
There is no FY2022 request; it is expected to begin again in FY2023.
Town Clerk's Office 5 -Year Capital Appropriation History (All Sources)
FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021
Election System
$81,000
Archives & Records
Management/Conservation & Restoration
$20,000 $20,000 $20,000
Totalsi
$81,0001 $0 $20,0001 $20,0001 $20,000
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Affordable Housing
To provide for the needs of its residents and to meet State law, the Town must plan and budget for the
continuing creation and maintenance of units of affordable housing.
Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40B, passed in 1969, requires each municipality in the
Commonwealth to have 10% of its housing "affordable" as defined by the statute and its regulations. To
be maintained as affordable, a unit must be subject to a long-term, preferably perpetual, deed restriction
limiting its sale price to the affordable level as determined at the time of sale. To encourage more rental -
unit creation, the statute also provides that if a rental -housing development deed restricts 25% of its units,
all of the rental units will count as part of the town's Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI), even though
75% of them are actually priced at market rate.
The Lexington Housing Partnership (LHP) is a nine -member board of Town residents appointed by the
Board of Selectmen to 3 -year terms. Its mission is to keep Lexington residents informed of the Town's
housing needs and to plan and advocate for the preservation and creation of affordable housing in
Lexington.
The Lexington Housing Authority (LHA), a five -member board, was created in 1969 under
Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 121B. Under the statute, municipal housing authorities manage
State- and Federally -subsidized housing units and administer Federal housing vouchers to individuals and
households who qualify. As of this year, the LHA will own or manage 77 Federal units, 158 State units,
and 14 subsidized, privately owned units. The LHA also administers 73 housing vouchers, including
Section 8 vouchers which are used by households to pay private landlords. Depending on the size and
type of housing unit, the LHA's wait time for eligible households varies from 1'/2 to 8 years.
The LHA routinely applies for State and Federal contributions for maintenance and improvement of these
housing units. However, State contributions are normally insufficient to meet annual needs. Use of
Lexington's Community Preservation Act to fund capital improvements that are eligible under the statute
allows the Town to keep existing units functional and in compliance with legal standards. (See
Article 10(1) for this ATM's request.)
In 2016, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) launched the
MODPHASE (Modifying Public Housing and Supporting Elders) Initiative to distribute State grants for
the preservation of State public housing and the encouragement of cooperation between local Housing
Authorities and local service agencies for the benefit of seniors occupying public housing. In a
competitive process, Lexington has been awarded a grant of $1.6 million to rehabilitate kitchens and
baths at Vynebrook Village. The Town's submission was a collaboration between the LHA, Lexington's
Human Services Department and Enhance Asian Community on Health, Inc. (EACH), a non-profit health
service agency. This substantial grant will help defray expenses generally met with local CPA funds.
The Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB) is unique to Lexington. The nine -member board
was created in 1983 by the Selectmen, who were concerned about the need for affordable and transitional
housing for Lexington residents experiencing economic difficulties. LexHAB currently manages 71 rental
housing units and uses rents to maintain and improve the units as needed. LexHAB also maintains a fund
balance that may be used to build new units or to purchase units on which the deed restrictions
maintaining their affordability may expire, but the creation of new units has largely been funded by the
Community Preservation Fund (See Article 10(m) for this ATM's request.)
Lexington's Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) The housing units administered by the LHA and
those LexHAB units that have been assigned under the State's lottery procedure all count on Lexington's
SHI. Including all rental units, as permitted by statute, the Town's SHI stood at 11.2% at the 2010 Federal
census. However, as 75% of the Town's rental units are not actually deed -restricted, the true percentage of
Lexington housing units that are affordable to households below the AMI is closer to 5%.
39
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
As the Town's inventory of market -rate units increases more rapidly each year than do deed -restricted
units, there is concern that in this year's decennial census, Lexington's SHI will fall below the statutorily
required 10%. In that event, the statute provides that private developers who deed -restrict 25% of the
units in their projects will not be subject to the density restrictions of Lexington's zoning bylaw, allowing
them to build larger and more densely sited subdivisions than Lexington zoning would otherwise allow.
Once the results of the 2020 Federal Census are available, the Town will publish an updated SHI.
The Community Preservation Act (CPA) (See further information starting on Page 6.) provides that
10% of each year's revenue under the Act (i.e., the designated tax -surcharge revenue, the State
contribution, and interest earned on the Lexington Community Preservation Fund (CPF)) be allocated for
community (low or moderate income) housing. Since Lexington's adoption of the Act in 2006, CPA funds
have been the primary means of adding affordable units to Lexington's inventory. Town Meeting has
approved LexHAB requests for CPA allocations to purchase and rehabilitate existing homes, as well as to
build new units, both of which are then deed—restricted and rented to eligible households.
• LexHAB's Farmview Local Initiative Project (LIP), for construction of two three -unit buildings
on Lowell Street near the former Busa Farm, has been completed, and three of the units are
occupied, including both handicapped accessible units. The others are in process.
• LexHAB's renovation of the Wright farmhouse at 241 Grove Street as an affordable unit is fully
funded and remains underway. Work with the help of Minuteman High School has been delayed
by the COVID 19 pandemic, and finish work on the electrical and plumbing systems remains to
be done. LexHAB hopes to have the house ready to rent by the end of March 2021, although the
driveway will be completed after that.
• The 2020 ATM approved $100,000 in CPA funds for the design of up to six units of affordable
housing on the portion of the Leary property on Vine Street purchased by the Town and
previously designated for housing. LexHAB has begun a series of community meetings on the
project and hopes to return to the fall 2021 STM for the next stage of funding.
Surcharge to Fund Affordable Housing. The fall 2020 STM -3 approved a citizen petition to
instruct the Select Board to establish a surcharge on specific residential developments for the purpose
of funding affordable and community housing construction, renovation and associated land
acquisitions or easements, and to authorize the Select Board to petition the Massachusetts legislature
to enact enabling legislation for this purpose. See Article 36 for a follow-up citizen warrant article
which seeks to establish a similar surcharge for specific commercial developments for the same
purpose.
.o
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
CPA -Funded Community Housing 5 -Year Appropriation History
1FY2014: Total project cost was $190,734 of which $18,000 was paid by a State DHCD grant;
FY2017: Total project cost was $317,013 of which $53,763 was paid by a State DHCD grant.
FY2018: Supplemental funding to fund included replacement of porch decking.
2The 2014 ATM voted to add the requested sum of $750,000 to funds already held by LexHAB:
$84,653 in unused funds from the FY2012 allocation and $450,000 in unused funds from the
FY2013 allocation; for a total of $1,284,653 for use in building community housing at the Busa Farm
site—a Town property acquired with CPA funds in 2009.
3The 2018 ATM provided supplemental funding as multiple factors increased the development cost.
(See this Committee's report to the 2018 ATM, Page 45, Article 10(j), for those factors.)
Planning
The mission of the Planning Board and the Planning Department is to envision the Lexington that will
best serve the needs and preferences of its residents and to realize that vision by managing growth and
change. Among its responsibilities is transportation planning.
Transportation Safety Group (TSG). This working group, appointed by the Town Manager, receives
input from the citizens, the Commission on Disability, and the Bicycle and Transportation Advisory
Committees. It brings proposed projects or regulation changes to the Town Manager. Funding requests
for project design come from the Planning Department, which manages appropriations at the development
stage. From FY2018 through FY2020 the TSG was funded at $100,000 annually to allow it to address
relatively small and short-term projects without requiring individual requests to Town Meeting.
Lexington receives an annual State allotment from the Transportation Network Companies (TNC) fund,
which is derived from a State surcharge of $0.40/ride. Starting in FY2021, the Town asked Town
Meeting to allocate this allotment ($16,504 that year) to the TSG. TSG projects were limited in FY2021,
in part because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the TSG had funds on hand from prior appropriations, so
no further Town -generated funds were requested. The FY2022 funding request is also limited to this
year's TNC allotment. (See Article 12(a).)
Hartwell Avenue Commercial District. The 2009 ATM approved the Planning Department's request to
create a Traffic Management Overlay District (TMOD) for the Hartwell Avenue commercial corridor.
The FY2011 ATM voted to create a TMOD Stabilization Fund to receive mitigation payments from
commercial developers. The 2019 Fall STM approved amounts of $1,250,000 to be funded by debt, and
$250,000 to come from the TMOD Stabilization Fund to pay for a 25% design of a major Transportation
Improvement Project (TIP) for this commercial area. The Project will address travel lanes, multi -modal
paths and bike lanes, center medians, pedestrian crossings and accommodations, and reconstruction of
major intersections at Routes 4 & 225 (Bedford Street), Hartwell Avenue, and Wood Street. Taking this
41
FY2017
FY2018
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Greeley Village Renovations (LHA)i
$263,250
$56,712
Development of community housing
at Busa Farm on Lowell St
Farmview LexHAB 2,3
$1,400,000
Purchase of an affordable unit at
Keeler Farm LexHAB
$185,000
Affordable Units Preservation (Pine
Grove Village/Judge's Road)
$1,048,000
Affordable Units on Vine Street
(previously Leary property)
I
I
1
1 $100,000
Totals
$448,2501$1,104,7121$1,400,0001
$0
$100,000
1FY2014: Total project cost was $190,734 of which $18,000 was paid by a State DHCD grant;
FY2017: Total project cost was $317,013 of which $53,763 was paid by a State DHCD grant.
FY2018: Supplemental funding to fund included replacement of porch decking.
2The 2014 ATM voted to add the requested sum of $750,000 to funds already held by LexHAB:
$84,653 in unused funds from the FY2012 allocation and $450,000 in unused funds from the
FY2013 allocation; for a total of $1,284,653 for use in building community housing at the Busa Farm
site—a Town property acquired with CPA funds in 2009.
3The 2018 ATM provided supplemental funding as multiple factors increased the development cost.
(See this Committee's report to the 2018 ATM, Page 45, Article 10(j), for those factors.)
Planning
The mission of the Planning Board and the Planning Department is to envision the Lexington that will
best serve the needs and preferences of its residents and to realize that vision by managing growth and
change. Among its responsibilities is transportation planning.
Transportation Safety Group (TSG). This working group, appointed by the Town Manager, receives
input from the citizens, the Commission on Disability, and the Bicycle and Transportation Advisory
Committees. It brings proposed projects or regulation changes to the Town Manager. Funding requests
for project design come from the Planning Department, which manages appropriations at the development
stage. From FY2018 through FY2020 the TSG was funded at $100,000 annually to allow it to address
relatively small and short-term projects without requiring individual requests to Town Meeting.
Lexington receives an annual State allotment from the Transportation Network Companies (TNC) fund,
which is derived from a State surcharge of $0.40/ride. Starting in FY2021, the Town asked Town
Meeting to allocate this allotment ($16,504 that year) to the TSG. TSG projects were limited in FY2021,
in part because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the TSG had funds on hand from prior appropriations, so
no further Town -generated funds were requested. The FY2022 funding request is also limited to this
year's TNC allotment. (See Article 12(a).)
Hartwell Avenue Commercial District. The 2009 ATM approved the Planning Department's request to
create a Traffic Management Overlay District (TMOD) for the Hartwell Avenue commercial corridor.
The FY2011 ATM voted to create a TMOD Stabilization Fund to receive mitigation payments from
commercial developers. The 2019 Fall STM approved amounts of $1,250,000 to be funded by debt, and
$250,000 to come from the TMOD Stabilization Fund to pay for a 25% design of a major Transportation
Improvement Project (TIP) for this commercial area. The Project will address travel lanes, multi -modal
paths and bike lanes, center medians, pedestrian crossings and accommodations, and reconstruction of
major intersections at Routes 4 & 225 (Bedford Street), Hartwell Avenue, and Wood Street. Taking this
41
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
initial planning action is expected to keep Lexington in the queue for State and Federal funding for this
project, hopefully during the FY 2024-2029 window.
Town Comprehensive Plan. The 2017 ATM approved funding to undertake an update of the Town's
Comprehensive Plan which was last completed in 2003. The Plan covers Land Use, Housing, Economic
Development, Natural and Cultural Resources and Transportation. A task force of staff, citizens, and
Town officials is moving forward with this work, holding public forums on transportation, housing, and
economic development.
Planning 5 -Year Appropriation History
Program FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021
Transportation Mitigation $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $16,504
Comprehensive Plan $302,000
Totals $0 $402,0001 $100,0001 $100,0001 $16,504
Economic Development
The Economic Development Office serves as a liaison between businesses and local government. It works
to retain and expand local businesses by providing information, conducting research, and leveraging State
economic development tools and resources to improve the business environment. The Office maintains
relationships with State -level partners for business development and infrastructure investment
opportunities. The Office seeks to develop economic opportunities from tourism, and maintains and staffs
the Lexington Visitors Center with sales revenue generated from the Visitors Center gift shop.
Visitors Center. Construction of a new Visitors Center was completed in April 2020, and the Center
opened to the public on a limited basis in July, to offer information, guided tours, and limited retail.
Because of the COVID 19 pandemic, the public has not been permitted inside the building. Currently
closed for the season, the Center anticipates opening again later in the spring. (See DPW 5 -year table for
funding history of this project.)
Center Streetscape. At the fall 2018 Town Meeting, funds were appropriated to bring this long-running
project to 75% design. The 2019 ATM approved the 75% design and a revised cost estimate, and
appropriated $9,101,730 to allow the Town to seek construction bids, with a planned construction
schedule from fall 2021 to spring 2024. (See DPW 5 -year table for funding history of this project.) The
Town continues to seek grants to defray this cost to whatever extent possible. Scheduling is subject to
possible delays from the COVID 19 pandemic. No further funds are sought at this time.
Three projects related to parking spaces in Town considered for FY2021 funding were not supported for
presentation to last -year's ATM. Two projects were considered for this year's ATM (and FY2022
funding). One proposed parking lot consolidation and repaving plan, which included the Cary Library lot
and private lots off Muzzey Street, was withdrawn as infeasible as the proposed inclusion of private lots
requires contractual agreements with each owner which is expected to take more than the five years of
Capital planning to accomplish. The other, for improvements to Town parking lots on the north side of
Massachusetts Avenue, is requested this year for execution by DPW. (See Article 120).)
Economic Development 5 -Year Capital Appropriation History (All Sources)
Program FY2017 I FY2018 I FY2019 I FY2020 FY2021
Grain Mill Alley $127,838
Totalsl $127,838 $0 $0 $0 $0
42
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
2021 ATM Warrant -Article Explanations and
Recommendations
Note: The CEC Approves all the Requests
Cites of the "Town Warrant" refer to the "Town of Lexington Warrant for the 2021 Annual
Town Meeting", March 22, 2021. Cites of the "Brown Book" refer to the "Town of Lexington
Fiscal Year 2022 Recommended Budget & Financing Plan", February 22, 2021
Article 10: Appropriate the FY2021
Funds
Funding
Committee
Community Preservation
Requested
Source
Recommends
Committee Operating Budget and
$170,000
CPF (Cash)
See above for the Article
venue Recreational Resources
CPA Projects (Multiple Categories)
$3,724,550 or
See Below
Approval 6-0
$2,684,550
Project Description (Category)
Amount
Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
(a) Community Center Mansion
$110,000
CPF (Cash)
See above for the Article
Sidewalk & Patio Historic Resources
$170,000
CPF (Cash)
See above for the Article
"This request will replace a cracked, uneven and inaccessible bluestone sidewalk and patio along the
mansion side of the Community Center with surfaces made of stamped concrete. When the building was
renovated in 2015, the walkway was identified as a future project."
[Brown Book, Page XI -16]
Project Description (Category)
Amount
Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
(b) Park and Playground
Improvements—South Rindge
$170,000
CPF (Cash)
See above for the Article
venue Recreational Resources
"This request will update and replace playground equipment, safety surfacing and various other amenities
at a neighborhood park on South Rindge Avenue. The proposed improvements will renovate and
rehabilitate existing safety surfacing and equipment so that the site will be in compliance with the
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Additionally, at the recommendation of the ADA
Compliance Study that was completed in 2017, the walkway leading to the playground will be renovated
to meet minimum width regulations and have a running slope of less than 5%, and an accessible path
leading to the Arlington Reservoir Trail and a connection to the basketball courts will also be installed."
[Brown Book, Page XI -15]
Project Description (Category)
Amount
Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
(c) Park Improvements—Athletic
Fields—Muzzey Field (Recreational
$155,000
CPF (Cash)
See above for the Article
Resources
"This ongoing multi-year capital program is to address safety and playability concerns as well as provide
adequate and safe field conditions. This program funds improvements to athletic fields, including
renovations to natural turf, drainage, new irrigation systems, and site amenities including benches and
backstops. The FY2022 funds will be used for such improvements to the Muzzey Field. Based on
recommendations from a 2017 ADA Compliance Study, two accessible paths, one on each side of the
field, will also be installed. If approved, renovations will begin in the Fall of 2021."
43
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
[Brown Book, Page XI -15]
Project Description (Category)
Amount
Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
(d) Playground Enhancements—Pour-
Requested
$339,250
Marrett Road Purchase
(for Community Center)
in-Place Surfaces (Recreational
$150,000
CPF (Cash)
See above for the Article
Resources)
Cary Memorial Building Upgrades
$759,800
39 Highland Avenue Land Acquisition
"Older playgrounds use bark mulch as their safety surfacing, which is not stable and is regularly washed
out or kicked out by students using the play equipment. When this occurs, the 12 -inch impact absorbent
surfacing requirement is no longer being met, which could result in serious injuries if or when a student
falls. Pour -in -Place (PIP) safety surfacing is a rubber/urethane product being used in all new playground
installations. Benefits include better drainage, consistent safety surface, and faster snow melt, enabling
use of the playground during colder months. Replacement of the Harrington school playground surface is
proposed during the summer of 2021, with the remaining schools to follow in subsequent years."
[Brown Book, Page XI -14]
The subject of playground safety is of utmost importance so we welcome this funding as an initial step to
address resolutions across all the schools. We would have preferred if it had been possible to implement
this Committee's recommendation to further accelerate in this initial funding the replacement of mulch
with PIP safety surfacing at all the schools needing it. Therefore, while we appreciate the Town's Capital
Plan has accelerated completion to two, rather than, three more years, we prefer the project timeline be
accelerated further to complete installation of PIP safety surfacing at all the playgrounds still needing it
with FY2023 funding so that would be accomplished by Summer 2022 instead of the current Summer
2023 plan.
Project Description (Category)
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
$339,250
Requested
$339,250
Marrett Road Purchase
(for Community Center)
(e) CPA Debt Service (Multiple)
$2,989,550 or
$1,949,550
CPF (Cash)
See above for the Article
[Brown Book, Page XI -11, Table VI]
CPA Debt Service
Current (Unless Article 25 Passes)
If Article 25 Passes
Wright Farm Acquisition
$339,250
Wright Farm Acquisition
$339,250
Marrett Road Purchase
(for Community Center)
$850,500
Marrett Road Purchase (for
Community Center)
$850,500
Cary Memorial Building Upgrades
$759,800
Cary Memorial Building Upgrades
$759,800
39 Highland Avenue Land Acquisition
$1,040,000
Total
Total
2,989,550
See Article 25 for the proposed substitution of additional FY2021 CPA cash funding in lieu of the
previously authorized debt for the 39 Highland Avenue Land Acquisition and this Committee's reason
for supporting Article 25. Also see CPC Report to 2021 Annual Town Meeting, February 18, Pages 12 &
13, for details on each debt's history, including the basis of the alternatives depending on the outcome of
Article 25 of this ATM.
This Committee unanimously supports Article 25 as it achieves the recommendation of always using
cash, rather than debt, for CPA projects.
Project Description (Category)
Amount Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
(f) Administrative Budget
$150,000
CPF (Cash)
See above for the Article
Administrative
[Brown Book, Page XI -12, Table VIII, *footnote]
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Of the request:
• $50,000 for an Open Space and Recreation Plan Update. As cited by the CPC: (1) "The Update is
an important planning document used by the CPC, and is necessary for the Town to apply for
LAND (Local Acquisition for Natural Diversity) grant.", and (2) Town Counsel has advised that
use of these administrative funds is appropriate for such a Plan and its updates.
$50,000 is for the planning, legal, survey and appraisal work associated with the acquisition of
open space. Such funds will enable the Conservation Commission to complete the due diligence
required to prepare for a land acquisition. While other Town projects use "study monies" to
investigate the benefits of a particular project, the Conservation Commission does not have the
advantage of this type of lead-time. It must often act quickly to evaluate a property through legal,
survey and appraisal work. Without designating these funds for open space planning, the CPC's
charge of allocating a portion of its revenues to open -space preservation would be hindered.
The remaining $50,000 funds are for administrative, legal, membership, and advertising
expenses. Included are funds for a year-round, 3 days/week, administrative assistant (the Town's
GF covers the other 2 days) and $10,000 for membership in the Community Preservation
Coalition, a Statewide, non—profit, organization working on behalf of communities who have
adopted the CPA.
If any of these appropriated Administrative Budget funds are not required by the end of the fiscal year,
that balance will become part of the Undesignated Fund Balance and, thus, part of the CPF's total amount
available for later appropriation.
Article 11: Appropriate for
Funds Requested
FundingCommittee
Recommends
Recreation Capital
$25,000
Source
See above for the Article
$87,000
See Below
Approval 6-0
Projects
Project Description (CPA Category)
Amount
Funding SourceRequested
Committee Recommends
(a) Pine Meadows Improvements
$25,000
R&RCEP EF
See above for the Article
"This request will fund the design and engineering for a drainage improvement project on the 1st and 2nd
fairways at the Pine Meadows Golf Course, which is scheduled to be completed in FY2025. The design
and engineering work will ensure that an accurate cost estimate will inform the request for the
construction phase in FY2025
[Brown Book, Page XI -15]
Project Description (CPA Category)
Amount
Funding SourceRequested
Committee Recommends
(b) Pine Meadows Equipment
$62,000
R&RCEP)EF
See above for the Article
"This request will purchase a new fairway mower to replace existing equipment acquired in 2012. The
life expectancy of a fairway mower is 10 years. The new equipment will ensure proper maintenance of the
turf, improved pace of play, and superior playing conditions.
[Brown Book, Page XI -15]
Ki
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Project Description
Amount
FundingCommittee
Committee Recommends
Article 12: Appropriate for
Funds Requested
Sources
Recommends
Municipal Capital Projects
$416,545
3
See above for the Article
$7,946,345.20
See Below
Approval 6-0
and Equipment
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(b) Self -Contained Breathing
$416,545
3
See above for the Article
(a) Transportation Mitigation
$20,889.20
F nu din
See above for the Article
'This annual capital request is to support the ongoing work of the Transportation Safety Group (TSG).
The TSG is staffed by the Planning, Engineering, School and Police Departments. Between FY2008 and
FY2011, Town Meeting appropriated funds to collect data, perform analysis, review citizen requests and
recommendations for various Townwide transportation improvements in support of the Traffic Mitigation
Group (dissolved in 2012 and later reconstituted as the TSG). Anticipated projects for the FY2022 funds
include purchase and installation of pedestrian -activated beacons at crosswalk locations still under
consideration, purchase and installation of speed feedback signs, study and creation of school zones, on-
call engineering services to quickly address safety requests and address road design to reduce speeds
where needed, and to apply to MassDOT to reduce certain regulatory speed limits."
[Brown Book, Page XI -15]
This Committee endorses the reduced amount in view of the funds remaining from prior appropriations.
(The CEC has been advised that users of the funds will be instructed that as the appropriations each year
cover the same general purpose, projects encumbering/expending funds are to cite the oldest remaining
appropriation until it has been fully encumbered/expended before citing a later appropriation.) There is
currently no backlog of previously vetted but unfunded projects, so the smaller funding request should be
sufficient for FY2022.
At present, this funding is treated as typical Capital funding in that its use is not limited to the year of
appropriation. This Committee, however, believes this funding in FY2022 and later years should be
considered to be one -year -of -use funding. Its need to cover yet -to -be -known needs is comparable to the
funding of DPF's `Public Facilities Bid Documents ". That funding is treated as funding for one year
with any unused balance reverting to the GF.
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(b) Self -Contained Breathing
$416,545
GF (Free
See above for the Article
-Apparatus Replacement
Cash
"Firefighters use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) when working in areas that have atmosphere
that is immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH), including almost all fires, hazardous material
spills, and confined spaces. This equipment is mandatory life -safety equipment for all firefighters through
OSHA, NFPA and NIOSH, and was originally purchased through a FEMA grant in 2011, and is nearing
the end of its useful life. Repairs have become more frequent and expensive, and the potential for
equipment failure in an IDLH situation has grown. The Fire department will seek additional grant funding
for this replacement, in which case excess funds will be returned."
[Brown Book, Page XI -15]
This Committee holds that this personal -safety request should be supported by Town Meeting.
' TNC ("Transportation Network Company") refers to rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft.
Surcharges on each ride are shared between the State and the municipality.
46
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
$899,026 GF
(c) Town Culvert Replacement
$390,000
GF (Free
Cash
See above for the Article
"This request is part of an ongoing program to proactively replace culverts prior to catastrophic failure,
which will allow for proper design considerations and funding while also minimizing the impact to
residents through unexpected road closures and flooding. Work is near completion on the Culvert Asset
Management Plan after detailed inspections were performed on all of the known town -owned culverts.
This program is a companion effort with the ongoing Watershed Management Plan. Final design,
permitting and gathering easements are underway for culverts at Constitution Road and Valleyfield.
Geotechnical investigations are underway along with culvert design for the Waltham Street culvert at
Clematis Brook. Construction is anticipated to begin in Summer 2021."
[Brown Book, Page XI -16]
More information about this project is in the section titled Programs, Public Works, Culverts on Page 27.
Project Description
Amount
Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
$899,026 GF
(Free Cash) +
$145,000
Water RE +
$110,000
(d) Equipment Replacement
$1,420,000
Sewer RE +
$155,974 Prior
See above for the Article
Bond
Authorizations
+$110,000
BAN
Premiums
.This is an annual request to replace equipment that is beyond its useful life and whose mechanical
condition no longer meets the requirements of the Department of Public Works (DPW). The DPW has an
inventory of 146 pieces of equipment including sedans, hybrid SUVs, construction vehicles and
specialized equipment used to mow parks, plow snow, repair streets and complete a variety of other
projects. Without regular equipment replacement, the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the DPW's
operations would be handicapped due to equipment down time and excessive repair costs.
"Each piece of equipment is inventoried with original and current replacement cost, state of condition and
replacement time interval. Replacement intervals vary from 5 to 20 years and are based on manufacturer
recommendations and use (type and duration).
"The selection of vehicles to be replaced begins with the proposed replacement date. Then each vehicle is
assessed as to its mechanical condition and work requirements. The systematic replacement program
defines what equipment is expected to need replacement during the next five years with the intent of
preventing any unexpected emergency purchases. Annual updates are conducted by the Equipment
Maintenance Division, Division Superintendents and reviewed by the Manager of Operations and
Director of Public Works.
47
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
"The FY2022 request, by funding source, is shown in the table below.
Equipment Other Funds
Free Cash
Sewer RE Water RE
Total
6 Wheel Hook Loader with Wing Plow $ 265,974
$ 54,026
$ 320,004
Front End Loader with Plow $ —
$ 225,000
$765,475 GF
$ 225,004
Rubber Tired Mini Excavator
$800,000
$ 95,000 $ 95,000
$ 190,000
Trackless Sidewalk Machine with Snowblower
$ 165,000
(Free Cash)
$ 165,000
F450 Utility body with Plow
$ 115,000
$ 115,000
60 kW Generator with 4" Pump J
Toro 4700 Mower
$ 125,000
$ 15,000 $ 50,000
$ 65,000
$ 125,000
Small Dump Truck with Snow Plow
$ 110,000
$ 110,000
Small Dump Truck with Snow Plow
105,000
105,000
Total $ 265,974
J$899,026 J$110,000
J$145,000
$1,420,000
[Brown Book, Page XI -16]
More information about this project is in the section titled Programs, Public Works, DPW Equipment on
Page 29.
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(e) Sidewalk Improvements
$765,475 GF
$800,000
(Debt) +
$34,525 GF
See above for the Article
(Free Cash)
"This request seeks funds to rebuild and/or repair existing sidewalks that are in poor condition. DPW (in
conjunction with various committees and town departments) generates a list each year of sidewalks most
in need of repair/replacement, based on four determining factors:
1) Is the sidewalk unsafe for travel due to trip hazards, defects, etc.
2) Is the sidewalk within the Safe Routes to School Program
3) Is the volume of pedestrian traffic heavy, light or average
4) Is the general condition of the sidewalk poor, fair or good which dictates treatments such as
full reconstruction, overlay or patching
"DPW currently reviews the condition for 30% of town sidewalks annually, which is used to identify
the work to be done. Sidewalks considered for FY2022 funding include:
• Lowell St. from Woburn St. to Fulton Rd. (East side) • Heritage Dr.
• Partridge Rd.
• Gould Rd. from Dewey to Turning Mill Rd.
• South Rindge Ave.
• Bow St.
• Waltham St. from Park Dr. to Worthen Rd. (West side)
• Reconstruction of Ramps, Townwide
• Village Circle
• Sanderson Rd.
• Bryant Rd.
• Orchard Lane
• Demar Rd. from Turning Mill to 426
• Dewey Rd. from Grove St. to Gould Rd.
• Royal Circle
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
"The following table presents the recent history of Sidewalk appropriations:
[Brown Book, Page XI -5 & -17]
The annual work done by the Town generally covers between 15,000 and 17,000 linear feet, and includes
design (as needed), as well as reconstruction of existing sidewalks in residential areas.
More information about this project is in the section titled Projects, Public Works, Sidewalks on Page 23.
This Committee applauds that the funding request continues to be in the range recommended by our
sidewalk consultant to maintain and improve current sidewalk conditions.
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(f) Storm Drainage Improvements and
$385,000
GF (Free
See above for the Article
NPDES Compliance
Cash)
"This is an annual request to replace and supplement existing drainage structures, issues typically
uncovered during roadway related construction activity. Funds will also be used for continued compliance
with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Phase II regulations which help improve the water
quality of Lexington's streams and ponds. Approximately $115,000 of this funding request is for
compliance with the construction -related portions of the National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination
System (NPDES) minimum control measures as mandated by the EPA in the stormwater general permit.
The permit also requires the Town to comply with requirements for illicit discharge detection and
elimination (IDDE), best management practices (BMP), installation, and retrofits. The remaining
$270,000 will be used to repair/replace drainage structures encountered during road construction, repair
other drainage areas of concern in the Town and improve stormwater issues discovered during NPDES
investigation work. Current drainage improvements are being performed throughout the Locust Avenue
neighborhood as well as Munroe Road. The IDDE program has continued with two summer interns and
work is underway on the design of numerous BMPs, as well as drainage improvements in other areas of
town. The preemptive repair of existing drainage structures will reduce damage to structures themselves,
existing pavement, and private and public property."
(Brown Book, Page XI -17)
More information about this project is in the section titled Programs, Public Works, Stormwater
Drainage and the NPDES, on Page 26.
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(g) Comprehensive Watershed
$390,000
GF (Free
See above for the Article
Stormwater Management
Cash
"DPW, Engineering and Conservation collaborate on this annual capital request which addresses drainage/
brook management issues. The request funds the continuing design and implementation of watershed plans and
the construction of priorities established in those plans. Staff has reviewed three watershed plans already
completed (Charles River, Shawsheen River and Mystic River) and developed a prioritization schedule with
built-in flexibility pending unforeseen changes. Requested funding will be used to move forward with those
prioritized areas. Design work is in progress in the Valleyfield area, which will be a phased project. A
thorough evaluation has been completed in the Oxbow Constitution area with design now in progress, with
easement discussions and permitting commencing soon. Long-term benefits of the program include prevention
of property damage, reduction in liability and overall improvement to the health of Lexington's waterways."
[Brown Book, Page XI -17]
. •
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
More information about this project is in the section titled Programs, Public Works, Comprehensive
Watershed Stormwater Management, on Page 27.
Project Description
Amount
Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
$2,651,674
GF (Cash) +
(i) Hydrant Replacement Program
$150,000
$977,917
See above for the Article
(h) Street Improvements
$3,629,591
Chapter 90
See above for the Article
funds that are
not
appropriated
"This is an annual request for the street resurfacing and maintenance program. In addition to the
$2,651,674 appropriated from the tax levy, $977,917 of Chapter 90 funds will be utilized. (Chapter 90
funding is based on Lexington's most recent allocation and on the current state allocation of $200 million
statewide.) Funds will be used for design, inspections, planning, repair, patching, crack sealing and
construction of roadways and roadway related infrastructure including repair and installation of
sidewalks. A preliminary list of the streets to be repaired under this article is currently being developed. A
pavement management system is utilized to assist in analyzing the road network and selecting roadways
for repairs. This funding will allow for the proper improvements and repair of Lexington's streets and
sidewalks, increasing their quality and safety.
Street Improvements - Financing Components
FY2022
2001 Override Increased by 2.5% per year $ 723,719
Maintenance of unallocated revenue from FY2012 Revenue Allocation Model $ 281,234
Maintenance of unallocated revenue from FY2013 Revenue Allocation Model $ 164,850
FY2014 Health Insurance Savings $ 11100,000
Additional Tax Levy Funding $ 381,871
Estimated Chapter 90 Aid $ 977,917
Total $ 3,629,591
Without Chapter 90 $ 2,651,674
[Brown Book, Page XI -17]
The State's Chapter 90 funding does not need to be appropriated.
This Committee welcomes that the total funding (includes the States Chapter 90 funds) has not dropped
from the $3,500, 000 amount provided for in previous years which makes the FY2022 request the 8th
year in a row above the $3,000,000 level that the Town's roads consultant has recommended as the
amount needed to bring the average road conditions fully to the "Routine Maintenance " level of needed
repair. The Town's recent efforts have successfully raised the average condition of the streets and
lowered the repair backlog.
More information about this project is in the section titled Programs, Public Works, Roads on Page 22.
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
$75,000 GF
(i) Hydrant Replacement Program
$150,000
(Free Cash) +$75,000 Water
See above for the Article
EF (RE)
"This is an ongoing replacement program designed to maintain the integrity of the fire protection system
throughout town. Faulty hydrants need to be replaced to meet safety requirements. A list of hydrants needing
50
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
replacement is generated each year during the annual inspection and flushing of hydrants by the Water and Fire
Departments. Based on discussions between the two departments, the target goal is to replace approximately
60 hydrants per year at a cost of $2,500 per hydrant. The Town of Lexington has 1,747 fire hydrants in its fire
protection system; a total of 42 hydrants were replaced in FY2020."
[Brown Book, Page XI -18]
Due to staff scheduling changes as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of hydrants repaired or
replaced in the past year dropped to 42. The Town expects to resume a full schedule under this program
this year.
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
(k) New Sidewalk Installations
Requested
GF (Debt)
See above for the Article
0) Public Parking Lot Improvement
$100,000
Parking Fund
See above for the Article
Program
Cash
"This request is for the redesign of the public parking lots located in downtown Lexington, including the
Depot lot, the lot between Edison Way and the Depot (CVS lot), and the lot between Waltham Street and
Muzzey Street (Michelson lot). These lots are currently in fair to poor condition with inefficient
circulation and parking layouts. This redesign work will include surveys and a conceptual plan
development design, with the anticipated results of improved efficiency, circulation and aesthetics. More
detail is needed in order to get solid estimates on the cost of construction."
[Brown Book, Page XI -18]
This project will likely be impacted by any changes made to the current parking meter system
contemplated under Article 12(0) Parking System Replacement, below.
Project Description
Amount
Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
(k) New Sidewalk Installations
$650,000
GF (Debt)
See above for the Article
"This request will fund construction of new sidewalks on Lincoln Street from Marrett Road to Middle
Street. Additional locations have been requested for future years, and may warrant having further
discussions with policy makers on cost-sharing with property owners through betterment assessments."
[Brown Book, Page XI -6]
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(1) Staging for Special Events
$65,000
GF (Free
See above for the Article
Cash
"This request is to purchase two staging units for use at Town special events, including Patriots' Day. The
Town currently owns one staging unit, supplemented by wagon trailers borrowed from Waltham. The
borrowed trailers are subject to availability, difficult to move, and unstable, requiring manual
reinforcements to ensure safety. New staging would allow for access by persons with disabilities, provide
a more stable seating/ viewing area, and be more readily available for a wide range of town events and
programs.
[Brown Book, Page XI -18]
51
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(m) Cary Library Network
$95,000
GF (Free
See above for the Article
Stations
Cash
"The Library is requesting integration of its network infrastructure hardware into the Town's
infrastructure, including migration to the Town's network support and service contracts. Library
equipment, including WiFi access points, network switches and cabling, will be upgraded to Town
network standards, and the Library network traffic will be managed by existing Town infrastructure, thus
maximizing the Town IT infrastructure investments and providing increased network capability and
management to the Library."
[Brown Book, Page XI -19]
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(n) Electric Vehicle Charging
$69,000
GF (Free Cash)
See above for the Article
Stations
"This request is for the purchase and installation of two or more electric vehicle charging stations to
primarily be used for municipal vehicles. In order to meet the Select Board's goal for fleet electrification
and net -zero emissions, it is essential to develop the necessary charging infrastructure to expand electric
vehicles within the fleet."
[Brown Book, Page XI -19]
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(o) Parking System
$343,237
Parking Fund
See above for the Article
Replacement
"The Town's current parking meters run on a 3G network which is going obsolete, and needs to be
upgraded to 4G. Given the cost, there has been some discussion about potentially changing parking
systems, including transitioning from individual meters to a more modern kiosk or pay -by -phone system,
and converting the Depot Lot from one overseen by an attendant to parking kiosks. The project is time -
sensitive in that the 3G network will not be able to accept credit card payments at some point in 2021-22,
and the Center Streetscape is being bid this Spring, and any change to the individual meters or other
infrastructure will impact that work. In addition to the funds requested here, an additional $106,763 is
available from an FY2017 authorization, for a total project cost of $450,000."
[Brown Book, Page XI -19]
At the time of this report, the SB has not made a decision about what kind of system to migrate to
(individual meters vs kiosks and with inclusion of mobile -phone payment in either), but some
details about the RFP (already distributed) are known:
• The base RFP for the Streetscape has parking meter removal and reinstallation. If the meter heads
have to be changed, that will be separate and come after the initial removal/reinstallation has been
completed.
• The RFP has an Add Alternate for not only parking meter removal and disposal, but also potential
kiosk foundation installation.
• If the base contract is awarded, and the Town later decides to go to kiosks, there will be
substantial additional costs, including meter removal/restoration, and adding kiosk foundations to
the new, finished sidewalks. In addition, due to bidding rules, all the work would have to be done
after the completion of the Streetscape.
This implies that it is best to have a decision by the SB about what direction they want to take prior to the
bid award (approximately March 15th).
52
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Project Description
Amount
Requested
FundingCommittee
Committee Recommends
Article 13: Water System
Funds Requested
Source
Recommends
Improvements
$300,000
Water EF
See above for the Article
(a) Water Distribution System
$1,410,000
See Below
Approval 6-0
Project Description
Amount
Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
$710,000
(b) Water Tower(s) Replacement
$300,000
Water EF
See above for the Article
(a) Water Distribution System
$1,110,000
(Debt) +
See above for the Article
Improvements$400,000
Water User
Charges
"This is an annual program that replaces unlined, inadequate, aged and vulnerable water mains,
deteriorated service connections and eliminates dead ends in the water mains. Water mains were
recently replaced on Vaille Ave, a significant portion of Hartwell Ave and Eldred Street.
Additionally a sustaining valve was installed on Grove Street to ensure proper pressures are
maintained. Water main replacements are currently under construction on Peacock Farm Road
and White Pine Lane, and are anticipated in the Parker Road neighborhood, Vine Street, Hayden
Avenue, and Marshall Road. A booster pump is planned for the low-pressure area along Fairfield
Street.
"The Town has also completed a hydraulic model for the entire distribution network and an asset
management plan for replacing the Town's aging water infrastructure that will ensure a proactive
approach for keeping Lexington's water both safe and reliable. The model identifies areas of
vulnerability, water main aging, and those areas with low volumes and pressures. The asset
management plan recommends the replacing 1% of our water mains on an annual basis.
"Beginning in FY2021, the funding source for this ongoing capital replacement program is
gradually shifting to Water user charges, with an ultimate goal of transitioning the entire
program to cash funding over 11 years. While rate payers may pay slightly higher water rates in
the short-term, significant debt service savings will be realized, resulting in lower overall costs in
the long-term."
[Brown Book, Page XI -8 & -18]
More information about this project is in the section titled Programs, Public Works, Water Distribution
System on Page 23.
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(b) Water Tower(s) Replacement
$300,000
Water EF
See above for the Article
"The Town of Lexington owns two water tanks located on Morgan Hill. The smaller tank is a bolted steel
tank with a volume of 1 Million Gallons (MG) and was constructed in 1933. The larger tank is a bolted
steel tank with a volume of 2.24 MG and was constructed in 1950. This funding request will be used to
design the replacement of the water tank(s), which are nearing or have reached the end of their 75 -year
useful life. Tank replacement is likely within the next 5 years."
[Brown Book, Page XI -18]
53
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
This effort will address a variety of issues to determine a recommended upgrade plan, including:
• Determine the condition of the existing two tanks and whether or not there are more extensive
maintenance tasks that can reliably extend the current use of one or both existing tanks;
• Determine whether a replacement system would continue with two tanks of comparable size or a
single tank of a larger, to -be -determined capacity and rely on a tank owned by the Massachusetts
Water Resource Authority when performing maintenance on a single Town tank;
• The sequencing of any upgrade/replacement with one or two tanks;
• The design of any new tank to extend its functional life and so as to facilitate on-going
maintenance; and
• The capability to support external attachments (e.g., electrical broadcast antennas, solar cells, a
windmill, etc.)
The importance of this effort is that the estimated cost for a 2 -tank replacement is on the order of
$6,270,000—with an appropriation possibly in FY2024.
Article 14: Appropriate for
Funds Requested
FundingCommittee
Source
Recommends
Wastewater System
Requested
$1,520,000
See Below
Approval 6-0
Improvements
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(a) Pump Station Upgrades
$520,000
wastewater
See above for the Article
EF Debt
'This is an ongoing program to upgrade Lexington's ten sewer pumping stations. A 2013 evaluation and
capital plan was developed for the Town with the assistance of Wright -Pierce, including a detailed
engineering survey of the pump stations. The survey helped determine current and future needs, timetable
and probable costs for the proposed work. Construction has been completed on the pump stations at
Worthen Road, Marshall Road and Constitution Road. Design is underway for construction at the Hayden
Ave and North Street pump stations. The goal of this program is to upgrade all of the pumps and support
systems to enable better energy efficiency and avoid emergency expenditures.
(Brown Book, Page XI -9]
The Committee applauds the Town for continuing to add backup power to the Town's pump stations.
Work currently underway will add generators to the North and Hayden Street stations, completing the
plan to add backup power to the nine major stations in the system.
More information about this project is in the section titled Programs, Public Works, Wastewater System
on Page 26.
54
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Project Description
Amount
Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Article 15: Appropriate for
$800,000
School Capital Projects
Wastewater
(b) Sanitary Sewer System
$1,000,000
EF (Debt) +
See above for the Article
Investigation and Improvements$200,000
Wastewater
User Charges,
"This is an annual program that provides for rehabilitation of sanitary sewer infrastructure. Work will
include replacement or repair of deteriorated sewers, force mains and manholes in order to improve flow
and reduce inflow and infiltration into the system. Engineering investigation and evaluation will continue
on sewers throughout town, including those in remote, hard to access areas. These capital investments
improve the operation of the sewer system, reduce backups and potential overflows, prevent system
malfunctions and reduce the measured flows through the MWRA meter.
"Beginning in FY2021, the funding source for this ongoing capital replacement program is gradually
shifting to Wastewater user charges, with an ultimate goal of transitioning the entire program to cash
funding over 10 years. While rate payers may pay slightly higher wastewater rates in the short-term,
significant debt service savings will be realized, resulting in lower overall costs in the long-term."
[Brown Book, Page XI -9 & -18]
More information about this project is in the section titled Programs, Public Works, Wastewater System
on Page 26.
"This request addresses the District's strategic goal for enhancing the capacity to utilize technology as an
instructional and administrative tool. The request will continue to support student access to devices to
allow for innovative learning methods that integrate supportive technologies, problem -based approaches
and higher order thinking skills. It also maintains and improves, when needed, current infrastructure such
as networks, access points and servers.
"The capital improvement request for FY2022 would provide funding for the following:
Tech Workstations - $172,150 to replace Unit A (all classroom teachers, counselors, librarians and staff
working under the teacher contract; Unit A) workstations and peripheral devices (laptops, desktops,
printers and monitors). Staff workstations are being replaced from FY2020 funds; thus, no replacements
are budgeted for this cycle as they will all be replaced. (150 laptops (a, $1100 each, 10 printers (a, $440
each, and 10 monitors � $275 each)
PreK-5 Mobile Devices - $124,540 to replace 260 Kindergarten iPads across all district Kindergarten
classes due to current devices having reached their end of life. (260 iPads � $479.00 each)
1:1 Middle School Program - $226,250 to purchase 625 Chromebooks for 6th graders entering Diamond
and Clark Middle Schools. All middle school students have 1:1 devices and the devices follow them
through middle school (three-year life span). Generally, by the end of middle school, many devices have
reached their end of life due to use. (625 Chromebooks � $362 each)
1:1 at Lexington High School - $189,720 to purchase 680 Chromebooks for 9th graders. All high school
students, once provided a device in 9th grade or upon entering the high school, have the device through
their senior year (four-year life span). (680 Chromebooks � $279 each)
55
Funds Requested
Funding
Committee Recommends
Article 15: Appropriate for
Source
School Capital Projects
$1,186,236
GF (Free Cash)
Approval 6-0
and Equipment
"This request addresses the District's strategic goal for enhancing the capacity to utilize technology as an
instructional and administrative tool. The request will continue to support student access to devices to
allow for innovative learning methods that integrate supportive technologies, problem -based approaches
and higher order thinking skills. It also maintains and improves, when needed, current infrastructure such
as networks, access points and servers.
"The capital improvement request for FY2022 would provide funding for the following:
Tech Workstations - $172,150 to replace Unit A (all classroom teachers, counselors, librarians and staff
working under the teacher contract; Unit A) workstations and peripheral devices (laptops, desktops,
printers and monitors). Staff workstations are being replaced from FY2020 funds; thus, no replacements
are budgeted for this cycle as they will all be replaced. (150 laptops (a, $1100 each, 10 printers (a, $440
each, and 10 monitors � $275 each)
PreK-5 Mobile Devices - $124,540 to replace 260 Kindergarten iPads across all district Kindergarten
classes due to current devices having reached their end of life. (260 iPads � $479.00 each)
1:1 Middle School Program - $226,250 to purchase 625 Chromebooks for 6th graders entering Diamond
and Clark Middle Schools. All middle school students have 1:1 devices and the devices follow them
through middle school (three-year life span). Generally, by the end of middle school, many devices have
reached their end of life due to use. (625 Chromebooks � $362 each)
1:1 at Lexington High School - $189,720 to purchase 680 Chromebooks for 9th graders. All high school
students, once provided a device in 9th grade or upon entering the high school, have the device through
their senior year (four-year life span). (680 Chromebooks � $279 each)
55
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Science/Technology/Engineering/(Art)/Math (STEM/STEAM)/Computer Science - $42,400 to update
district computer labs at either the Middle School/High School level and purchase STEM/STEAM based
curricular materials. ($36,400 for one lab, $6,000 for STEM/STEAM Materials)
Interactive Projectors/Whiteboard Units and Document Cameras - $239,176 to replace 48 interactive
projectors districtwide. This equips buildings with a touch -activated interactive system with a new
ceramic whiteboard and soundbar. The replacements will begin with the oldest model per school until all
systems are within a 5 -year window with all of the same functionality. The request will also replace 28
document cameras at Bowman Elementary School, with remaining schools planned in future years. As
part of new school construction, some schools have newer document cameras and other schools have had
document cameras replaced prior to this year. (48 projectors � $4,620 each, 28 document cameras
$622 each)
District and Building Network Infrastructure - $172,000 to replace end of life Wireless Access Points
(WAPs), switches and Power over Ethernet (POE) districtwide. (70 WAPs � $1,300 each, 3 POE
switches (a,$7,000, HS Network equipment and fiber patch $60,000)
Server/Storage Infrastructure - $20,000 to maintain and upgrade any server -related hardware."
[Brown Book, Page XI -13]
This Committee commends LPS for continuing to produce detailed material supporting this annual
request and a detailed 5 -year plan.
More information about many of these projects is in the section titled Public Facilities on Page 31.
Project Description
Amount
FundingCommittee
Committee Recommends
Article 16: Appropriate for
Funds Requested
Source
Recommends
Public Facilities Capital
$100,000
GF (Free
Cash)
See above for the Article
$3,280,385
See Below
Approval 6-0
Projects
More information about many of these projects is in the section titled Public Facilities on Page 31.
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
(b) Facility and Site Improvements
Requested
GF (Free Cash)
See above for the Article
(a) Public Facilities Bid Documents
$100,000
GF (Free
Cash)
See above for the Article
"This is an annual request for funding of professional services to produce design development,
construction documents and/or bid administration services for smaller projects in anticipation of requests
for construction funding at town meeting that have a high probability of approval. This will ensure that
both municipal and school projects can be completed in the then -current construction season, which is
particularly important for the timely completion of school building projects given the short window
between the end of school in June and the end of summer."
[Brown Book, Page XI -14]
Project Description
Amount
Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
(b) Facility and Site Improvements
$250,000
GF (Free Cash)
See above for the Article
Notwithstanding these funds being provided to cover a number of projects, as needed, and with
f nigibility between them, this Committee expects each project to exceed the $25,000 minimum threshold
for Capital projects.
56
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(1) Building Flooring Program
$125,000
GF (Free
Cash
See above for the Article
"Initiated in FY2011, this is an annual request for funds to be used for the replacement of flooring
systems in municipal and school buildings. The FY2022 request will be used for projects informed by
the new 20 -year Master Plan, and may include areas at the Lexington high school, Clarke middle
school, East Lexington fire station and the Town Office Building. In FY2021, hallway floors at
Harrington Elementary School were replaced and a project to update flooring in a Public Services
Building hallway and the cafeteria is planned. The goal of this annual program is to ensure failing
floor surfaces are replaced and are safe for all users."
[Brown Book, Page XI -14
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(2) School Paving & Sidewalks
$125,000
GF (Free
See above for the Article
Program
$728,000
Cash
See above for the Article
"This capital request provides `as needed' replacement of sidewalks, bus loops and parking areas on
school grounds. The FY2022 request will specifically fund sidewalk panel replacements and parking
and roadway improvements at the Bridge and Bowman Elementary Schools which are currently in
poor condition. Extraordinary repairs for school paving areas are necessary to maintain parking and
pedestrian surfaces in a condition suitable for public safety and highlights the Safe Routes to School."
[Brown Book, Page XI -14]
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(c) Public Facilities
$214,186
GF (Cash)
See above for the Article
Mechanical/Electrical Systems
$728,000
GF (Debt)
See above for the Article
Keplacements
"This request is part of an annual replacement of HVAC and electrical systems that have exceeded their
useful lives and require replacement before excessive failures occur. This appropriation will address items
identified in the 20 -year Master Plan."
(Brown Book, Page XI -6
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(d) Municipal Building Envelopes and
$214,186
GF (Cash)
See above for the Article
Associated Systems
"This ongoing capital request, originally approved for funding in the 2006 Proposition 212 Override,
includes repair and replacement projects for the maintenance and upgrade of municipal buildings and
systems. The FY2022 request seeks funding for repairs to fascia and soffits on the Cary Memorial
Building and Town Office Building, which will begin once roof repairs are complete."
[Brown Book, Page XI -14]
57
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Project Description
Amount
Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
(e) Townwide Roofing Program
$528,000
GF (Debt)
See above for the Article
"This FY2022 request is to repair/ replace portions of the roof of Cary Memorial [Building] and the Town
Office Building to prevent water infiltration. Once the roof issues have been addressed, work will progress to
the fasciae and soffits, funded in the building envelope request."
[Brown Book, Page XI -6]
The Cary Memorial Building's roof is included as it has now reached its end of life. (That was not the
case when the major renovation was done to that Building in 2014. That renovation was focused on the
inside.)
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(f) School Building Envelopes and
$245 199
GF (Free
above for the Article
Associated Systems
$915,000
Cash)See
See above for the Article
"The purpose of this ongoing capital request is to perform annual prioritized extraordinary repairs and
modifications to school buildings and systems. Specifically, the FY2022 request will be used to address
repairs of water and air infiltration issues of the gaskets, caulking, doors and windows at the Lexington
High School."
[Brown Book, Page XI -14]
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(g) Center Recreation Complex
$300,000
GF (Free
See above for the Article
Bathrooms & Maintenance Building
$915,000
GF (Debt)
See above for the Article
Renovation
"This request is for construction costs associated with renovation of the bathrooms and maintenance
building at the Center Recreation Complex. The project will renovate the bathrooms, repair the plumbing
system, and install new fixtures. In addition, the storage area currently used by DPW staff to maintain the
athletic fields in the area, will be renovated to better support those efforts."
[Brown Book, Page XI -7]
The Design/Engineering funds ($100,000) for this project were appropriated at last -year's Annual Town
Meeting.
Project Description
Amount
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Requested
(h) Space Needs for School Year
$300,000
GF (Free
See above for the Article
2021-22
Cash)
'A new Intensive Learning Program will begin at Diamond in the 2021-22 school year, requiring
dedicated space. In this case, a large storage room will be converted to three offices/learning spaces over
the summer months, which is expected to cost $300,000."
[Brown Book, Page XI -14]
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Project Description
Amount
Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
(i) HVAC Improvements
IP
N/A
See above for the Article
"A number of heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) deficiencies were identified during an
environmental engineering assessment conducted in Summer 2020. Exhaust ventilation is substandard in
multiple locations including the Police Department, Town Office Building and Lexington Community
Center. Mechanical improvements are required to maintain a minimum number of air changes per hour
(ACH)."
[Town Warrant, Page 11]
As sufficient updates to the Town and Schools HVAC systems were achieved in response to the
COVID-19 pandemic, and funded by the Federal CARES Act in response to that pandemic, it was
decided that no HVAC -related funding is required for FY2022.
Article 18: Rescind Prior
Amount for Rescission
Original
Authorization
Committee Recommends
Borrowing
Percentage
Land Acquisition -171-173 Bedford
St.
2016 STM -5, Article 2,
Motion Part a
$261,096.50
$7,227,800.00
Approval 6-0
Authorizations
"To see if the Town will vote to rescind the unused borrowing authority voted under previous Town
Meeting articles; or act in any other manner in relation thereto.
"DESCRIPTION: State law requires that Town Meeting vote to rescind authorized and unissued
debt that is no longer required for its intended purpose."
[Town Warrant, Page 12]
These are the projects that are completed without the remaining, not -yet -issued, borrowing authority:
Unused Borrowing Authorizations to be Rescinded
Rescind
Purpose
Original Appropriation
Total Appropriation Amount
Percentage
Land Acquisition -171-173 Bedford
St.
2016 STM -5, Article 2,
Motion Part a
$4,443,000.00 $26,296.50
0.59%
Equipment Replacement (DPW)
2018 ATM, Article 16(h)
$1,069,500.001 $109,500.00
10.24%
School Technology Systems
2018 ATM, Article 19
$1,715,300.001 $125,300.00
7.30%
Totals
$7,227,800.00 $261,096.50
3.61%
Note: No -longer -needed cash balances from issued debt are not a subject for rescission. Those are
normally proposed to Town Meeting for re -appropriation to later Capital Articles of a similar purpose.
59
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
"To see if the Town will vote to create, amend, dissolve, rename and/or appropriate sums of money to and
from Stabilization Funds in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Section 5B of Chapter 40 for
the purposes of: (a) Section 135 Zoning By -Law; (b) Traffic Mitigation; (c) Transportation Demand
Management/Public Transportation; (d) Special Education; (e) Center Improvement District; (f) Debt
Service; (g)Transportation Management Overlay District; (h) Capital; (i) Payment in Lieu of Parking; 0)
Visitor Center Capital Stabilization Fund; (k) Affordable Housing Capital Stabilization Fund; (1) Water
System Capital Stabilization Fund; and (m) Ambulance Stabilization Fund; determine whether such sums
shall be provided by the tax levy, by transfer from available funds, from fees, charges or gifts or by any
combination of these methods; or act in any other manner in relation thereto."
"DESCRIPTION: This article proposes to establish, dissolve, and fund Stabilization Funds for specific
purposes and to appropriate funds therefrom. Money in those funds may be invested and the interest may
then become a part of the particular fund. These funds may later be appropriated for a specific designated
purpose by a two-thirds vote of an Annual or Special Town Meeting, for any other lawful purpose."
[Town Warrant, Page 12]
Table 10 below provides a history of appropriations into and out of the Capital Stabilization Fund
and recommendations for FY2022:
Table 10
Prior Year Balance
Funds Requested
Funding
Committee
— $ 3,217,674
Subtotal -Available for Appropriation $23,717,152 $30,893,608 $32,158,269 $29,997,169 $
Source
Recommends
Article 19: Establish, Amend,
Capital SF
Dissolve and Appropriate To
$ — $ (2,400,000) $ (4,500,000) $ (5,200,000) $
(3,500,000) $ (2,800,000)
Within Levy Debt Service Mitigation
$ (710,000) $ (324,500) $ (573,500) $ — $
and From Specified
Stabilization Funds (SFs)
a) Deposit $3,217,674
GF (Unreserved)
Approve 6-0
(Only those actions related to
b) Withdraw $2,800,000
Capital)
to apply to debt service
Capital SF
Approve 6-0
for Exempt Debt
"To see if the Town will vote to create, amend, dissolve, rename and/or appropriate sums of money to and
from Stabilization Funds in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Section 5B of Chapter 40 for
the purposes of: (a) Section 135 Zoning By -Law; (b) Traffic Mitigation; (c) Transportation Demand
Management/Public Transportation; (d) Special Education; (e) Center Improvement District; (f) Debt
Service; (g)Transportation Management Overlay District; (h) Capital; (i) Payment in Lieu of Parking; 0)
Visitor Center Capital Stabilization Fund; (k) Affordable Housing Capital Stabilization Fund; (1) Water
System Capital Stabilization Fund; and (m) Ambulance Stabilization Fund; determine whether such sums
shall be provided by the tax levy, by transfer from available funds, from fees, charges or gifts or by any
combination of these methods; or act in any other manner in relation thereto."
"DESCRIPTION: This article proposes to establish, dissolve, and fund Stabilization Funds for specific
purposes and to appropriate funds therefrom. Money in those funds may be invested and the interest may
then become a part of the particular fund. These funds may later be appropriated for a specific designated
purpose by a two-thirds vote of an Annual or Special Town Meeting, for any other lawful purpose."
[Town Warrant, Page 12]
Table 10 below provides a history of appropriations into and out of the Capital Stabilization Fund
and recommendations for FY2022:
Table 10
Prior Year Balance
FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021 FY2022
Appropriated Budget
$16,725,947 $23,203,210 $28,597,934 $27,727,713 $ 25,229,2.54 $21,760,444
Appropriation intoe Capital Stabilization Fund
$ 6,991,205 $ 7,690,398 $ 3,560,335 $ 2,269,456 $
— $ 3,217,674
Subtotal -Available for Appropriation $23,717,152 $30,893,608 $32,158,269 $29,997,169 $
25,229,2.54 $24,978,118
Appropriation from Capital Stabilization Fund
Excluded Debt Service Tax Relief
$ — $ (2,400,000) $ (4,500,000) $ (5,200,000) $
(3,500,000) $ (2,800,000)
Within Levy Debt Service Mitigation
$ (710,000) $ (324,500) $ (573,500) $ — $
— $ —
Subtotal - Appropriation $ (710,000) $ (2,724,500) $ (5,073,500) $ (5,200,000) $
(3,500,000) $ (2,800,000)
Interest Income (as of 12131119)
$ 196,058 $ 428,826 $ 642,944 $ 432,085 $
/i i�lY / lei y40/�/
31,190
;�� ' -�
(Brown Book Page x)
Part a: As discussed on Page 11, this deposit represents a renewal, after last year's lapse because of other
budget demands, of the practice to make continuing deposits to the extent practical. The objective remains
for the funds in this SF to mitigate the tax burden on our citizens—primarily for debt excluded from the
constraints of the State's Proposition 2'/2. Now it is the debt service from the issued debt; eventually on
the debt service from the future, major, capital projects—key being the new Police Station Project and the
much -more -expensive Lexington High School Project.
Part b: This withdrawal wll be applied toward the debt service on a number of existing school projects.
.1
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
General Information Regarding the CSF: Available cash would be added to the CSF by a majority vote of
this Town Meeting, with the intent that, as having been done in the past and as proposed above, the CSF
will be having continuing withdrawals, by a 2/3rd vote of Town Meetings, to mitigate the tax burden of
major capital projects. The withdrawals are expected to be in the form of amounts cited for appropriation
under the Operating Budget toward debt service—as is the case, again, for this Town Meeting—to be an
additional source, to the extent funds remain in the CSF, toward each year's projected debt service for
projects excluded from the Proposition 2'/2 property -tax -levy limit, as approved by the voters, and—to a
much lesser degree—for debt not excluded from that limit (i.e., within the tax -levy limit).
As shown in the above Table 10 and for the purposes cited above, for FY2022 there is no proposed
mitigation from the CSF for debt service of within -tax -levy debt—which was also the case for the prior
two years.
All of the Town's Specified Stabilization Funds are in addition to the Town's General Stabilization Fund.
See Appendix A for a table with information on all the Specified Stabilization Funds.
Article 21: Amend FY2021
Revenue Change
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Article 22: Appropriate for
Operating, Enterprise
and CPA Budgets
N/A
N/A
N/A
"To see if the Town will vote to make supplementary appropriations, to be used in conjunction with
money appropriated under Articles 4, 5 9, and 10 of the warrant for the 2020 Annual Town Meeting, and
Article 5 of the warrant for Special Town Meeting 2020-3 to be used during the current fiscal year, or
make any other adjustments to the current fiscal year budgets and appropriations that may be necessary;
to determine whether the money shall be provided by transfer from available funds including the
Community Preservation Fund; or act in any other manner in relation thereto."
"DESCRIPTION: This is an annual article to permit adjustments to current fiscal year (FY2021)
appropriations.
[Town Warrant, Page 13]
At the time of this report, no action is planned with a Capital implication.
"To see if the Town will vote to make supplementary appropriations to be used in conjunction with
money appropriated in prior years for the installation or construction of water mains, sewers and sewerage
systems, drains, streets, buildings, recreational facilities or other capital improvements and equipment that
have heretofore been authorized; determine whether the money shall be provided by the tax levy, by
transfer from the balances in other articles, by transfer from available funds, including enterprise funds
and the Community Preservation Fund, by borrowing, or by any combination of these methods; or act in
any other manner in relation thereto."
"DESCRIPTION: This is an annual article to request funds to supplement existing appropriations for
certain capital projects in light of revised cost estimates that exceed such appropriations."
[Town Warrant, Page 13]
At the time of this report, no action is anticipated under this Article.
61
Funds Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Article 22: Appropriate for
Authorized Capital
Improvements
N/A
N/A
IP
Approval 6-0
"To see if the Town will vote to make supplementary appropriations to be used in conjunction with
money appropriated in prior years for the installation or construction of water mains, sewers and sewerage
systems, drains, streets, buildings, recreational facilities or other capital improvements and equipment that
have heretofore been authorized; determine whether the money shall be provided by the tax levy, by
transfer from the balances in other articles, by transfer from available funds, including enterprise funds
and the Community Preservation Fund, by borrowing, or by any combination of these methods; or act in
any other manner in relation thereto."
"DESCRIPTION: This is an annual article to request funds to supplement existing appropriations for
certain capital projects in light of revised cost estimates that exceed such appropriations."
[Town Warrant, Page 13]
At the time of this report, no action is anticipated under this Article.
61
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Article 23: Appropriate from
Debt Service Stabilization
Fund
Funds Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
$124,057
Debt Service SF
Approval 6-0
"To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money from the Debt Service Stabilization Fund to
offset the FY2021 debt service of the bond dated February 1, 2003, issued for additions and renovations
to the Lexington High School, Clarke Middle School, and Diamond Middle School, as refunded with
bonds dated December 8, 2011; or act in any other manner in relation thereto.
"DESCRIPTION: This Article would allow the Town to pay a portion of the debt service on the
2003 School Bonds from the Debt Service Stabilization Fund set up for that specific purpose."
[Town Warrant, Page 13]
In August 2006, the Town received over $14 million reimbursement from the Massachusetts School
Building Authority as reimbursement toward the Town's secondary -schools renovation project. After
using over $11 million of those funds to retire short-term debt taken in anticipation of that reimbursement,
there was $2,143,079 excess reimbursement that needed to be applied toward the project's long-term
exempt debt. By Department of Revenue [DOR] regulations, these funds must be used only to offset debt
service on the outstanding bond for that exempt debt.
With the prior -years' appropriations from this fund and, over the same period interest being earned on the
amount in the fund, the latest provided balance for this year is $314,821. With this year's appropriation of
the $124,057—which has been the annual amount—there would be an excess amount on the order of
$66,707 as interest will still be accruing in the fund. That excess amount will also be applied then against
exempt debt in FY2023—bringing the FY2023 payment on the order of $190,764)—as the requirement to
reserve these funds was to "return" the funds to the taxpayer through the mitigation of exempt -debt
service.
Article 24: Appropriate for
Lexington High School
Feasibility Study
Funds Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
$1,825,000
GF (Debt)
Approval 6-0
"Lexington High School (LHS) was renovated in 2000 to a capacity of 1,842 students. In 2014 and 2015,
pre -fabricated buildings were added to the campus, increasing the number of classrooms. The January 28,
2015 Symmes Maim & McKee Associates (SMMA) Lexington Public Schools Master Plan Report
identified the "classroom" capacity of LHS to be 2,270 students, though also identifying that core areas
would still be overcrowded. This existing capacity was projected to provide sufficient classroom space for
the next five years. From the SMMA Master Plan, a School Building Project Consensus Plan was
developed that identified adding capacity to the middle schools, elementary schools, and pre -
Kindergarten, as the priorities over the next five years. School Committee submitted a Statement of
Interest (SOI) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to evaluate LHS for insufficient
educational capacity and system upgrades. Should the MSBA select the Lexington SOI, funding would be
required for the Feasibility Study. The SOI submitted to the MSBA in 2019 was not selected to move
forward. In February 2020, the School Committee again submitted an SOI to the MSBA and expect to
hear if the LHS project is selected in the Spring of 2021."
[Brown Book, Page XI -7]
For more background on this request, see the information on Page 3, the "High School" section.
As explained there, if the MSBA has not announced an invitation to Lexington based on the
February 2020 SOI before this ATM is to be dissolved, a Motion to IP this Article would be moved before
the dissoluton.
62
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Article 25: Amend Borrowing
Delete CPA (Debt)
Add CPA (Cash)
Committee Recommends
Authorization
Legislation to Regulate
Fossil Fuel Infrastructure
N/A
N/A
Conservation Land
$1,040,000
$1,000,000
Approval 6-0
Acquisition
"At Special Town Meeting 2020-3, Town Meeting approved the purchase of conservation land on
Highland Avenue. The land purchase was funded by a combination of cash and debt which allowed the
Community Preservation Committee (CPC) to maintain its target level of cash reserves. For FY2022, the
number and dollar value of applications for Community Preservation Funds was less than in prior years,
and therefore the fund has more cash on hand than originally expected. At the 2021 Annual Town
Meeting, the CPC is recommending to modify the funding sources for the Highland Avenue land
acquisition to be fully paid with cash, and accordingly rescind the borrowing authorization. If that motion
passes, the $1,040,000 in debt service noted on line C in the table above will no longer be needed, and the
debt service budget can be reduced by that amount."
[Brown Book, Page XI -11]
This Committee has always preferred use of CPA cash over any CPA debt financing and this is no
exception. We are gratified that the CPF has sufficient cash to avoid any borrowing to pay for this
property. Not only does it improve flexibility for future CPF monies, but it also reduces the overall
property acquisition cost.
Article 29: Clean Heat—
Funds Requested
Funding Source
Committee Recommends
Authorize Special
Legislation to Regulate
Fossil Fuel Infrastructure
N/A
N/A
Approval 6-0
"To see if the Town will
1. vote to authorize the Select Board to petition the Massachusetts General Court for special
legislation to:
1. Allow the Town of Lexington to regulate fossil fuel infrastructure in new buildings and
major renovations for the purposes of improving health and safety, reducing greenhouse
gas emissions, and encouraging renewable energy production and use, notwithstanding
the State Building Code, the Gas Code, M.G.L. c. 164 or any other law of the
Commonwealth regulating natural gas as a residential utility;
2. Allow the Town to adopt and further amend general or zoning bylaws that regulate fossil
fuel infrastructure; and
3. Allow the Town to administer such bylaws, including through the withholding of
building permits by the Building Commissioner; and
2. vote to add a new Chapter to the Town's Code of Bylaws prohibiting or otherwise regulating or
restricting the installation of fossil fuel infrastructure in new construction projects or major
renovation and rehabilitation projects in Lexington, and to set forth the terms and scope of such
regulations or restrictions, including exemptions or waivers to same, provided that said Chapter
will take effect only if permitted pursuant to General or Special Legislation enacted by the
Massachusetts General Court; or take any action related thereto."
(Inserted by the Select Board at the request of the Sustainable Lexington Committee)
"DESCRIPTION: This article would authorize the Town 1) to file a home -rule petition with the
Massachusetts General Court for Special Legislation that would enable the Town to enact local bylaws
that would regulate fossil fuel infrastructure in buildings and 2) to enact such a bylaw that would restrict
fossil fuel infrastructure in new construction and major renovations. The bylaw would limit the
installation of new fossil fuel (natural gas, propane, fuel oil) infrastructure so as to require new or
significantly renovated buildings to use clean energy sources (electricity) with exemptions for certain
appliances and building types and with a waiver process."
[Town Warrant, Page 15]
63
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
The Town's Integrated Building Design & Construction Policy already specifies that new municipal and
school buildings will use all -electric HVAC systems as specified in this Article. This Committee is
gratified to see these standards codified which makes them mandatory rather than simply policy.
E
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Appendix A: Information on the Town's Current Specified
Stabilization Funds
Review of Lexington's Specified Stabilization Funds for Applicability
to the Lexington Capital Expenditures Committee's Reports to a Lexington Town Meeting
Town Warrant, Town of Lexington, for 2021 Annual Town Meeting on March 22, 2021, signed January 25, 2021
Article 19 ESTABLISH, AMEND, DISSOLVE AND APPROPRIATE TO AND FROM SPECIFIED STABILIZATION FUNDS
"To see if the Town will vote to create, amend, dissolve, rename and/or appropriate sums of money to and from
Stabilization Funds in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Section 5B of Chapter 40 for the purposes of: (a)
Section 135 Zoning By -Law, (b) Traffic Mitigation, (c) Transportation Demand Management/Public Transportation, (d)
Special Education, (e) Center Improvement District; (f) Debt Service, (g)Transportation Management Overlay District, (h)
Capital; (i) Payment in Lieu of Parking; (j) Visitor Center Capital Stabilization Fund; (k) Affordable Housing Capital
Stabilization Fund; (1) Water System Capital Stabilization Fund; and (m) Ambulance Stabilization Fund; determine
whether such sums shall be provided by the tax levy, by transfer from available funds, from fees, charges or gifts or by
any combination of these methods; or act in any other manner in relation thereto."
Warrant
Town Meeting (ATM=Annual; STM=Special)
Capital
Sequence
Name
Created
Purpose
Related
(a)
Section 135 Zoning By -Law
2007 ATM, Art 39
"for the purpose of financing public
Yes
improvements pursuant to Section 135 of the
Code of Lexington"
(b)
Traffic Mitigation
2007 ATM, Art 39
"for the purpose of financing traffic mitigation
Yes
projects pursuant to conditions of special
permits issue by the Town
(c)
Transportation Demand
2007 ATM, Art 39, &
"for the purpose of supporting the planning and
No
Management/Public
repurposed under
2016 ATM, Art? 1 h
operations of transportation services to serve
thp npprk of town residents and businesses"
(d)
Special Education
2008 ATM, Art 24
None stated when created, but Appropriation
No
Committee Report to that Town Meeting says
"for setting aside reserves to help cover
unexpected out -of -district Special Education
expenses that exceed budget"
(e)
Center Improvement District
2009 ATM, Art 25
"to fund needed improvements in Lexington
Yes
Center"
(some
actions)
(f)
Debt Service
2009 ATM, Art 26
"for the purpose of paying a portion of the debt
Yes
service on certain outstanding bonds of the
Town issued for the purpose of the Diamond
Middle School, Clarke Middle School and High
School construction projects"
(g)
Transportation Management
2011 ATM, Art 20
"for the purpose of financing transportation
Yes
Overlay District
infrastructure improvements per Section 135-
43C of the Code of the Town of Lexington"
(h)
Capital
2012 STM 19 Nov,
Originally name "Capital Projects/Debt Service
Yes
Art 3, & renamed
Reserve/Building Renewal Fund"; purposes
under 2015 ATM,
remained the same when renamed
Art 26e
(i)
Payment in Lieu of Parking
2017 ATM, Art 24
"for the purpose of management, construction
Yes
and acquisition of public parking and related
(some
improvements, including bicycle and pedestrian
actions)
accommodations serving Lexington"
(j)
Visitor Center Capital
2018 ATM, Art 26
"for the purpose of funding the capital
Yes
improvements and replacement of the Visitors
Center"
(k)
Affordable Housing Capital
2018 ATM, Art 26
"for the purpose of funding
Yes
affordable/community housing construction,
renovation, and associated land acquisition or
easements"
(1)
Water System Capital
2018 ATM, Art 26
"for the purpose of funding capital
Yes
improvements of the water -distribution
system"
(m)
Ambulance
2018-1 STM, Art 8"for
the purpose of funding the purchase of
Yes
ambulances"
Prepared 1 Mar 2021
015
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
ADDendix B: Acronvms Used
5YCP.................
Five -Year Capital Plan
ADA ..................
Americans With Disabilities Act
AhCCAC ...........
Ad hoc Community Center Advisory Committee
AHCSF .............
Affordable Housing Capital Stabilization Fund
ALS ...................
Advanced Life Support
AMI ...................
Area Median Income or Advanced Metering Infrastructure
ASTM ...............
American Society for Testing and Materials
ATM .................
Annual Town Meeting
BAN ..................
Bond Anticipation Note
BMP ..................
Best Management Practices
BoS ...................
Board of Selectmen [re -named as the Select Board (SB)]
CARES Act.......
Corona Virus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act
CEC...................
Capital Expenditures Committee
CMB .................
Cary Memorial Building
CPA ...................
Community Preservation Act
CPATF ..............
Community Preservation Act Trust Fund
CPC ...................
Community Preservation Committee
CPF ...................
Community Preservation Fund
CPSC.................
Consumer Product Safety Commission
CSF ...................
Capital Stabilization Fund
D&E ..................
Design and Engineering
DHCD ...............
Department of Housing and Community Development
DOR..................
Department of Revenue
DPF ...................
Department of Public Facilities
DPW .................
Department of Public Works
EACH ...............
Enhance Asian Community on Health
EF ......................
Enterprise Fund
EMS ..................
Emergency Medical Services
EPA ...................
Environmental Protection Agency
FCI ....................
Facility Condition Index
FY .....................
Fiscal Year
GF .....................
General Fund
GIS ....................
Geographic Information System
HUD ..................
Department of Housing and Urban Development
HVAC ...............
Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning
IDDE.................
llicit Discharge and Detection and Elimination
IDLH.................
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health
ILP ....................
Intensive Learning Program
IP .......................
Indefinite Postponement or Indefinitely Postponed
IS .......................
Information Services
IT .......................
Information Technology
LABBB .............
Lexington Arlington Burlington Bedford and Belmont Collaborative
LAND (grant) ...
Local Acquisition for Natural Diversity
LCP ...................
Lexington Children's Place
LexCC...............
Lexington Community Center
LexHAB ............
Lexington Housing Assistance Board
LHA ..................
Lexington Housing Authority
LHS ...................
Lexington High School
LIP ....................
Local Initiative Project
LOS ...................
Level of service
(Continued on next page)
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Appendix B: Acronyms Used (continued)
LPS Lexington Public Schools
MAAB.............
Massachusetts Architectural Access Board
M.G.L................
Massachusetts General Laws
MHz ...................
Megahertz
MODPHASE .....
Modifying Public Housing and Sporting Elders
MOU..................
Memorandum of Understanding
MSBA................
Massachusetts School Building Authority
MWRA ..............
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
NPDES ..............National
Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System
N/A ....................
Not Applicable
PBC ...................
Permanent Building Committee
PCI .....................
Pavement Condition Index
PEG ...................
Public, Educational, and Governmental
PIP .....................
Pour in Place (safety surfacing)
PMP ...................
Pavement Management Program
PMS ...................
Pavement Management System
POE ...................
Power Over Ethernet
Pre -K .................
Pre -Kindergarten
PSB....................Public
Services Building
R&CP ................
Recreation and Community Programs
RE ......................Retained
Earnings
RF ......................
Revolving Fund
RFID ..................
Radio Frequency Identification
RSR ...................
Road Surface Rating
SAN ...................
Server Area Network
SB ......................
Select Board [previously was the Board of Selectmen (BoS)]
SC ......................
School Committee
SCBA ................
Self -Contained Breathing Apparatus
SCI .....................
Sidewalk Condition Index
SCLF .................
Sale of Cemetery Lots Fund
SF ......................
Stabilization Fund
SHI ....................
Subsidized Housing Inventory
SLI .....................
Supportive Living, Inc.
SOI ....................
Statement of Interest
STEAM .............
Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics
STEM ................
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
STM ...................
Special Town Meeting
TAR ...................
Town -accepted Roadway
TBD ...................
To be determined.
TIP .....................
Transportation Improvement Project
TMOD ...............
Traffic Management Overlay District
TM.....................Town
Meeting
TNC ...................
Transportation Network Company
TSG ...................
Transportation Safety Group
VAV ..................
Variable Air Volume
VFD ...................
Variable frequency drive
VoIP ..................
Voice over Internet Protocol
WAP ..................
Wireless Application Protocol
M.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Appendix C: Summary of Warrant Articles Addressed
Note: The CEC Approves all the Requests
Article #
Page #
in this
Report
Source
Brown
Book
Section
XI or
Town
Warrant
(TW)
Page(s)
Title
Motion
Requested
Funding Total
10(a)
43
16
Community Center Mansion Sidewalk & Patio
$110,000
10(b)
43
15
Park and Playground Improvements
$170,000
10(c)
43
15
Park Improvements - Athletic Fields
$155,000
10(d)
44
14
Playground Enhancement—Pour-in-Place Surfaces
$150,000
10(e)
44
11 Table VI
Community Preservation Committee Debt Service
$2,989,550
10(f)
44
12
Table III
footnote
Community Preservation Committee Administrative Budget
$150,000
1 1(a)
45
15
Pine Meadows Improvement
$25,000
11(b)
45
15
Pine Meadows Equipment
$62,000
12(a)
46
15
Transportation Mitigation
$20,889.20
12(b)
46
15
Self -Contained Breathing Apparatus Replacement
$416,545
12(c)
47
16
Townwide Culvert Replacement
$390,000
12(d)
47
16
Equipment Replacement
$1,420,000
12(e)
48
5 &17
Sidewalk Improvement
$800,000
12(f)
49
17
Storm Drainage Improvements and NPDES compliance
$385,000
12(g)
49
17
Comprehensive Watershed Stormwater Management
$390,000
12(h)
50
17
Street Im rovements2
$2,651,674
12(i)
50
18
Hydrant Replacement Program
$150,000
120)
51
18
Public Parking Lot Improvement Program
$100,000
12(k)
51
6
New Sidewalk Installations
$650,000
12(I)
51
18
Staging for Special Events
$65,000
12(m)
52
19
Cary Library Network
$95,000
12(n)
52
19
Electric Vehicle Chargng Stations
$69,000
12(o)
52
19
Parking System Replacement
$343,237
13(a)
53
8 & 18
Water Distribution System Improvements
$1,110,000
13(b)
53
18
Water Tower(s) Replacement
$300,000
14(a)
54
9
Pump Station Upgrades
$520,000
14(b)
55
9 & 18
ISanitary Sewer System Investigation and Improvements
$1,000,000
15
55
13
1 LPS Technology Program
$1,186,236
1 If Article 25 passes, becomes $1,949,550
2 Does not include the State's Chapter 90 funds ($977,917) that do not need to be appropriated.
(Continued on next page)
C-1
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2021 ATM
Summary of Warrant Articles Addressed (continued)
C-2
Source
Brown
Book
Section
A or
Town
Page #
Warrant
Motion
in this
(TW)
Requested
Article #
Report
Page(s)
Title
Funding Total
16(a)
56
14
Public Facilities Bid Documents
$100,000
16(b)(1)
57
14
Building Flooring Program
$125,000
16(b)(2)
57
14
School Paving and Sidewalk Program
$125,000
16(c)
57
6
Public Facilities Mechanical/Electrical System Replacements
$728,000
16(d)
57
14
Municipal Building Envelopes and Associated Systems
$214,186
16(e)
58
6
Townwide Roofing Program
$528,000
16(f)
58
14
School Building Envelopes and Associated Systems
$245,199
16(g)
58
7
Center Recreation Complex Bathrooms & Maintenance
$915,000
1
Building Renovation
16(h)
58
14
Space Needs for School Year 2021-22
$300,000
160)
59
TW 11
HVAC Improvements
IP
18
59
TW 12
Rescind Prior Borrowing Authorizations
-$261,096.50
Deposit:
19
60
TW 12
Establish, Amend, Dissolve Appropriate To and From
$3,217,674
Specified Stabilization Funds
Withdrawal:
$2,800,000
21
61
TW 13
Amend FY2020 Operating, Enterprise and CPA Budgets
N/A
22
61
TW 13
Appropriate for Authorized Capital Improvement
IP
23
62
TW 13
Appropriate from Debt Service Stabilization Fund
$124,057
24
62
7
LHS Feasibility Study
$1,825,000
25
63
11
Amend Borrowing Authorization Conservation Land
-$40,000
Acquisition
29
63
TW 13
Clean Heat—Authorize Special Legislation to Regulate Fossil
N/A
Fuel Infrastructure
C-2