Report of the Community Preservation Committee is received and placed on file.
Marilyn Fenollosa, Chair, CPC presents the report.
If additional reports are filed tonight, this post will be updated.
Town Moderator: The Meeting is now open on Article 10. We are going to, by Voice Vote, hear about the 4 lump sums, then take the individual items, taking up 10j and 10d first.
RECOMMENDATIONS
BOS: Unanimously SUPPORTS all items in Article 10
CEC: SUPPORTS all projects (a-l) 6-0
AC: VOTES as follows:
j: DISAPPROVE 3-5-1
d: APPROVE 6-3
a: that this project be IP'd 9-0
b, c, e, f, g, h, k, l: APPROVE 9-0
i: APPROVE 7-2
Planning Board (PB) as follows: Supports 10j & 10b
School Committee (SC): SUPPORTS school related parts of Article 10f-i
Recreation Committee SUPPORTS 10g, h, i
Voice Vote (to take the items up as proposed above): the Ayes have it
ARTICLE 10 – APPROPRIATE THE FY19 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE OPERATING BUDGET AND CPA PROJECTS To see if the Town will vote to hear and act on the report of the Community Preservation Committee on the FY19 Community Preservation budget and, pursuant to the recommendations of the Community Preservation Committee, to appropriate from the Community Preservation Fund, or to reserve amounts in the Community Preservation Fund for future appropriations, for the debt service on previously authorized financing; for the administrative expenses of the Community Preservation Committee for FY19; for the acquisition, creation and preservation of open space; for the acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of historic resources; for the acquisition, creation, preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of land for recreational use; for the acquisition, creation, preservation and support of community housing; and for the rehabilitation and restoration of open space and community housing that is acquired or created with moneys from the Community Preservation Fund; to appropriate funds for such projects and determine whether the money shall be provided by the tax levy, or from estimated Community Preservation Act surcharges and the State match for the upcoming fiscal year, by transfer from available funds, including enterprise funds, by borrowing, or by any combination of these methods; or act in any other manner in relation thereto. (Inserted by the Board of Selectmen at the request of the Community Preservation Committee)
This Article requests that Community Preservation funds and other funds, as necessary, be appropriated for the projects recommended by the Community Preservation Committee, the debt service on previously authorized projects, and for administrative costs.
MOTION: That the Town hear and act on the report of the Community Preservation Committee on the FY2019 Community Preservation budget and, pursuant to the recommendations of the Community Preservation Committee, take the following actions:
That the Town reserve for appropriation the following amounts from estimated FY2019 receipts as recommended by the Community Preservation Committee:
- $551,400 for the acquisition, creation and preservation of open space;
- $551,400 for the acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of historic resources;
- $551,400 for the acquisition, creation, preservation and support of community housing; and
- $3,859,800 to the Unbudgeted Reserve.
a) That this item be indefinitely postponed;
b) That $365,000 be appropriated for the Community Center Sidewalk, and to meet this appropriation $365,000 be appropriated from the Historic Resources Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund;
c) That $20,000 be appropriated for Archives & Records Management and Records Conservation & Preservation, and to meet this appropriation $20,000 be appropriated from the Historic Resources Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund;
d) That $200,000 be appropriated for the Renovation and Adaptive Re-Use of 9 Oakland Street, and to meet this appropriation $200,000 be appropriated from the Historic Resources Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund;
e) That $100,000 be appropriated for Public Grounds Irrigation Improvements, and to meet this appropriation $40,000 be appropriated from the Unbudgeted Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund and $60,000 be appropriated from the General Fund unreserved fund balance;
f) That $302,000 be appropriated for Playground Replacement Program- Bowman School, and to meet this appropriation $302,000 be appropriated from the Unbudgeted Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund;
g) That $975,000 be appropriated for Athletic Facility Lighting, and to meet this appropriation $975,000 be appropriated from the Unbudgeted Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund;
h) That $3,340,000 be appropriated for the Center Track and Field Reconstruction, and to meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, is authorized to borrow $3,340,000 under M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 7 as amended or under M.G.L. Chapter 44B, as amended, or any other enabling authority. Any premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this vote, less any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of issuance of such bonds or notes, may be applied to the payment of costs approved by this vote in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 20 of the General Laws, thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay such costs by a like amount;
i) That $75,000 be appropriated for the Old Reservoir Bathhouse Design, and to meet this appropriation $75,000 be appropriated from the Unbudgeted Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund;
j) That $1,400,000 be appropriated for Lowell Street/Farmview Affordable Housing Supplemental Funds, and to meet this appropriation $600,000 be appropriated from the Community Housing Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund and $800,000 be appropriated from the Undesignated Fund Balance of the Community Preservation Fund;
k) That $2,314,516 be appropriated for CPA Debt Service and related costs and to meet this appropriation $380,550 be appropriated from the Open Space Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund, $400,000 be appropriated from the Historic Resources Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund and $1,533,966 be appropriated from the Unbudgeted Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund; and
l) That $150,000 be appropriated for the Administrative Expenses and all other necessary and proper expenses of the Community Preservation Committee for FY2019 and to meet this appropriation $150,000 be appropriated from the Unbudgeted Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund.
Presentation for Article 10j is HERE.
Question Mic: TMM/P4 Has the Town submitted a Home Rule petition to use MM students?
A: We like to use them on renovation projects, but this project isn't suited to it.
Q: Will vote no
YES MIC: TMM/P7
Question Mic: TMM/P2 Are these units be on the former Busa Farm?
A: Yes
Q: Are there more units planned?
A: No
YES MIC: TMM/P2
Question Mic: TMM/P What's the vetting process for affordable housing?
A: We do it (Lex HAB)
YES MIC: TMM/P8
Question Mic: TMM/P1 Concerned about future costs. Requirement for public bidding?
A: All of our projects will have to follow public procurement process
Q: What does this imply for the Leary Property that was purchased at the same time?
A: We would look forward to working on that site; don't believe we've done a wetland study.
NO MIC: TMM/P1
YES MIC: TMM/P3
Question Mic: TMM/P6 More about the surprise about the slope?
A: Surprises as far as from the sewer line, further up the street than we thought.
Q: More risk to the farm because of ejectors?
A: They are pumping up into the street.
Q: Require electric power?
A: They do.
Q: What happens when they lose power?
A: We'll have to school residents about what to do.
Member supports affordable housing, expresses concern for keeping the farm in
YES MIC: TMM/P4
TMM Calls the Question
THE AYES HAVE IT -- DEBATE IS CLOSED
Two minutes to the maker of the MOTION
VOTES (simple majority)
YES: 144
NO: 14
ABSTAIN: 6
THE MOTION CARRIES
On to 10d
ARTICLE 10d: That $200,000 be appropriated for the Renovation and Adaptive Re-Use of 9 Oakland Street, and to meet this appropriation $200,000 be appropriated from the Historic Resources Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund.
Presentation is HERE.
NO MIC: TMM/P6
Question Mic: TMM/P2 How many people reside there?
A: 15
Q: Are any under age 18?
A: No.
YES MIC: TMM/P6
Question Mic: TMM/P7 Reconfirm that the majority of funds are not expended?
A: I do not dare challenge Mr. Kanter's numbers.
YES MIC: TMM/P3
YES MIC: TMM/P3
VOTES (simple majority)
YES: 153
NO: 2
ABSTAIN: 3
The MOTION is APPROVED
On to Article 10b: That $365,000 be appropriated for the Community Center Sidewalk, and to meet this appropriation $365,000 be appropriated from the Historic Resources Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund.
The Presentation is HERE.
Question MIC: TMM/P6 What is the status of the other projects?
A: Deemed unnecessary
Q: Why dropped the plans from Marrett Road?
A: Concern from the Fire Chief, we have a second egress.
Question Mic: TMM/P6 If we're going to be looking at Pelham to Community Center, why are we doing it now?
A: Couple of reasons. BOS wants to have all buildings accessible by foot. LexPress, MBTA are more practical locations.
Q: Pedestrian traffic up Marrett Road to the Community Center?
A: No study has been done.
YES MC: TMM/P9
NO MIC: TMM Calls the Question
Voice Vote -- the AYES have it
VOTES (simple majority)
YES: 126
NO: 19
ABSTAIN: 10
The MOTION CARRIES
Member serves Notice of Reconsideration
On to Article 10e: That $100,000 be appropriated for Public Grounds Irrigation Improvements, and to meet this appropriation $40,000 be appropriated from the Unbudgeted Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund and $60,000 be appropriated from the General Fund unreserved fund balance.
Question Mic: TMM/P7 Does this include the jug-handle at Hartwell AVe?
A: Yes.
VOTES (simple majority)
YES: 145
NO: 1
ABSTAIN: 4
MOTION CARRIES
On to Article 10f
Article 10f: That $302,000 be appropriated for Playground Replacement Program- Bowman School, and to meet this appropriation $302,000 be appropriated from the Unbudgeted Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund
Presentation is HERE
Question Mic: TMM/P1 Was on the Playground Committee at Harrington, trying to figure out the costs -- where are they going?
A: Using state bid list, state contractor. This has two structures, not one, like the one you described.
Q: Cost of the base surfacing?
A: To renovate $32,000; to change decks and clamps another $14,000. New structure is $70,000
Question Mic: TMM/P6 Construction standard to achieve pricing efficiency
A: No
VOTES (simple majority)
YES: 149
NO: 1
ABSTAIN: 2
MOTION CARRIES
On to Article 10g
Article 10g: That $975,000 be appropriated for Athletic Facility Lighting, and to meet this appropriation $975,000 be appropriated from the Unbudgeted Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund.
Presentation for 10g, 10h, 10i HERE
Question Mic: TMM/P5 Rebates from Eversource?
A: We will look into this.
VOTES (simple majority)
YES: 148
NO: 0
ABSTAIN: 1
MOTION CARRIES
On to 10h
Article 10h: That $3,340,000 be appropriated for the Center Track and Field Reconstruction, and to meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, is authorized to borrow $3,340,000 under M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 7 as amended or under M.G.L. Chapter 44B, as amended, or any other enabling authority. Any premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this vote, less any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of issuance of such bonds or notes, may be applied to the payment of costs approved by this vote in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 20 of the General Laws, thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay such costs by a like amount.
Presentation is HERE.
YES MIC: TMM/P6
Question MIC: TMM/P More information about the funding?
A: Some to be paid by the the general fund, some to be paid by the preservation fund.
YES MIC: TMM/P8
Question MIC: TMM/P6 Use of debt?
A; Not sufficient funds to pay it all from cash. Over a shore period of time, less than 5 years, to pay off the debt.
Question MIC: TMM/P1 Need for new bleachers? How much goes to that?
A: Old wooden bleachers have been removed; new bleachers will seat 300 people
Q: How much?
A: $50,000
Question MIC: TMM/P4 How do we know how the debt service should be allocated each year?
A: Pro-rate the debt service; a math calculation.
Question MIC: TMM/P4 Ability of putting the football field inside the track, knowing it may disappear?
A: Yes. We have started to think about those scenarios.
Question MIC: TMM/P5 Synthetic fields - snow removal?
A: Snow removal on a straight synthetic field will destroy the field. We're looking at it, moving forward.
VOTES (requires 2/3 majority because, borrowing)
YES: 149
NO: 0
ABSTAIN: 2
MOTION CARRIES
On to 10i
Article 10i: That $75,000 be appropriated for the Old Reservoir Bathhouse Design, and to meet this appropriation $75,000 be appropriated from the Unbudgeted Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund.
Presentation HERE.
VOTES (simple majority)
YES: 137
NO: 1
ABSTAIN: 1
MOTION CARRIES
On to 10k
Article 10k: That $2,314,516 be appropriated for CPA Debt Service and related costs and to meet this appropriation $380,550 be appropriated from the Open Space Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund, $400,000 be appropriated from the Historic Resources Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund and $1,533,966 be appropriated from the Unbudgeted Reserve of the Community Preservation Fund.
Presentation HERE
VOTES (simple majority)
YES: 136
NO: 0
ABSTAIN: 1
MOTION CARRIES
Remaining parts of Article 10 will be taken up under the Consent Agenda (that's10a &10l), after April break. Edit: Not April break, just after the weekend. ~mas
MOTION to adjourn until 7:15 on Monday April 9
We are adjourned 10:35 PM