Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-04-CPC-min Community Preservation Committee Thursday, February 4, 2010 3:00 pm G-15 Town Offices Present: Betsey Weiss, Chair; Joel Adler, Norman Cohen, Marilyn Fenollosa, Vice Chair; Jeanne Krieger, Wendy Manz, Leo McSweeney, Nathalie Rice, Admin. Asst; Sandy Shaw, and Dick Wolk (left at 3:35 pm.). Present from the Capital Expenditures Committee were Charles Lamb, Chair, David Kanter and Ted Edson. Also present were Rob Addelson, Director of Finance and John Bartenstein from the Capital Expenditures Committee. Ms. Weiss called the meeting to order at 3:05 pm. The purpose of the meeting was to receive updates on two important projects, the Town Office Building project and the Cotton Farm land acquisition project, and to receive a status report on the Goldinger parcel. 1.Town Office Building Project – Mr. Valente, Town Manager, Ms. Linda Vine, assistant Town Manager, Mr. Mark Barrett, Project Manager, Mr. Patrick Goddard, Director of Facilities were in attendance to present the update of the Town Office project. Mr. Valente commenced the discussion, stating that the project consisted of two parts; upgrades to conform with ADA and code requirements, and a smaller portion devoted to office realignment. Mr. Valente passed out a memo entitled, “Summary of Proposed Improvements to Town Office Building, dated February 4, 2010”. Mr. Barrett described fourteen code-related projects that were outlined in the memo. They included installing handicapped bathrooms and handicapped access at the front door and back westerly facing door, installing new customer service counters to accommodate wheelchairs, stair modifications to meet fire safety codes, and installing a fire suppression system in the newer section of the building. There were questions from CPC members regarding the fire safety improvements, and Ms. Fenollosa asked Mr. Barrett if the building was unsafe as is. He replied that it was not. Mr. Adler expressed his concern that a renovation of Town Offices would resonate poorly with Town Meeting members, and therefore reflect unfavorably upon the CPC. Mr. Kanter questioned Mr. Barrett about the market value of the Town Office Building, and whether the improvements met the 30% threshold, that triggered the requirement for ADA work. Mr. Barrett responded that the project was large enough to trigger the need for ADA work, and that even if broken into smaller jobs over a number of years would still necessitate the handicapped improvements. 1 Mr. Barrett explained that the project was in the 75% design phase and that the team would not know final costs for a matter of weeks. Mr. Kanter stressed the st importance of getting accurate cost estimates by March 1. Mr. Valente then reviewed the changes to various departments with the Committee. He presented the CPC with a floor plan showing the location of each office and explained the reasoning behind various relocations. The Committee inquired about phasing of the project, and the associated costs. Mr. Kanter questioned whether the team had developed a phasing strategy, which he noted would be critical. Mr. Barrett said they were working on a phasing plan, that temporary offices would be in trailers or in Cary Hall, and that the cost of the trailers was included in the estimate. 2.Goldinger Parcel – Mr. Cohen reported on the status of the Goldinger parcel, noting that the sale from the Busa family to the Goldinger’s had been finalized. He was uncertain on the timing of any Town acquisition of the Goldinger parcel, but asked the Committee for approval for funds from the administrative budget to pay for an appraisal if needed. Ms. Fenollosa asked if purchase by the Town was “on the table” to which Mr. Cohen replied that it was not. He said he felt the article to purchase the property would probably be indefinitely postponed. Mr. Valente added that the Town had not yet finalized any plans for the land, and would therefore not know how much of the Goldinger parcel might be needed to round out the Town’s space or buffer needs. 3.Cotton Farm – need for amended appraisal – Mr. Cohen explained that the Conservation Commission had reviewed the land plan for the Cataldo property (Cotton Farm), that they were not satisfied with it, and had requested that the Cataldo’s redo the plan. The Cataldos have redesigned the lot plan, which Mr. Cohen said would necessitate a new appraisal. He said the additional work would cost approximately $450, which the Committee approved. The Committee then discussed the role of the Hartwell parcel in the acquisition, the parcel consisting of 14.5 acres of primarily wet land on Hartwell Avenue. The Committee discussed CPC scheduling matters and set a date for the next meeting of th March 11 at 3:00 and a tentative meeting for March 22 also at 3:00. The meeting was adjourned at 5:42 pm. Respectfully submitted, Nathalie Rice Administrative Assistant Community Preservation Committee 2