HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-22-CPC-min
Community Preservation Committee
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Legion Room
4:00 pm
Present:
Betsey Weiss, Chair; Marilyn Fenollosa, Vice Chair; Joel Adler, Norman
Cohen, Jeanne Krieger, Wendy Manz, Leo McSweeney, Nathalie Rice, Admin. Asst.;
Sandy Shaw and Dick Wolk. Mr. David Kanter of the CEC was also present.
The meeting was called to order at 4:05 pm.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Stone Building project, and to update the
Committee on other projects which are being finalized.
1.Stone Building –
Pat Goddard of Facilities, Connie Rawson, Director of the
Library and Susan Bennett, Director of the Historical Society were in attendance
for the discussion.
Mr. Goddard commenced the discussion by stating there had been a meeting of
the PBC, (Permanent Building Committee) to discuss the Stone Building project
and to make recommendations about moving forward. After a great deal of
discussion, the PBC decided it would make sense to scale back the costs of the
project to $180,000. This was based upon the Historical Society’s experience with
the Hancock-Clarke House, and the general agreement that the Library should use
a less expensive firm and slow the process down. It had been decided at the PBC
meeting that the project would not include the preparation of construction
documents, but would include the preparation of an Historic Structures Report
and an evaluation of the suitability of the site for constructing the “ell” on the
back of the building.
Mr. Goddard explained that a possible scenario for the project was that in FY
2010, the Historic Structures Report and Design Drawings could be completed;
FY 2011, Construction Drawings could be done; and then in FY2012,
construction could take place. Ms. Bennett shared her experience with the
Hancock-Clark House, and stressed that she believed the lowered cost of
$180,000 was still high. She said $43K had already been spent on a building
analysis report, and that she felt $30-35K would carry the project through design
schematics. She also compared the Stone project to the renovations at the Old
Town Hall in 2000-2001. The area of the Old Town Hall was approximately the
same at 7,000 sq.ft, and the renovations were comparable. In that project, she
stated, 35K brought the project all the way through pre-construction drawings.
Mr. Kanter raised the point that it was a leap of faith to go all the way to
construction documents with so little Town review of the concept of a Heritage
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Center. He felt Town Meeting and the Town in general should have greater input
into the idea of a Center and the Stone Building’s restoration. Ms. Bennett pointed
out that at figure of $180K, the addition of construction documents in a
subsequent year, would raise the request up to the original 271K. The entire
purpose of carefully reviewing the project had been to reduce costs that were felt
to be somewhat inflated.
The Committee discussed the project at some length and questioned whether they
had to accept an absolute number at this point, since there was clearly further
discussion that was needed regarding the project. The Committee did vote 9-0 to
support the project at the funding level of $180K, though they understood there
would be further discussion of the project.
2.LexHAB –
Ms. Weiss reported that LexHAB had received $50,000 in Home
Funds from the Housing Partnership, but that LexHAB now feels they do not have
the administrative support to manage the gift. Ms. Weiss stated her strong belief
that LexHAB needs support staff. Mr. McSweeny suggested that Ann Whitney of
the Housing Authority might be able to work with LexHAB. Ms. Weiss will
follow-up with Bill Hays, chairman of LexHAB, and Mr. McSweeney will call
Ann Whitney. Mr. Cohen suggested that if LexHAB is not able to take the funds,
that other projects, such as the Battle Green might be a good alternative.
3.Busa Update –
Mr. Wolk updated the Committee on the Busa negotiations. He
stated that Dennis Busa is now the spokesman for the family and explained that an
acquisition would probably be for a mixed-use development. The matter is still in
the negotiation phase. Mr. Adler questioned whether the Town would lose its
right of first refusal if the process continued to drag on. It was generally felt this
was not an issue, since the property had not yet been formally listed.
4.Future Meetings
– The Committee tentatively set the date for the public hearing
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on the Leary acquisition for March 19 at 7:00 pm.
The Meeting was adjourned at 5:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nathalie Rice
Administrative Assistant
Community Preservation Committee
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