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4 | 2015 Annual Report Board of Selectmen Five members elected by the voters at large to overlapping 3-year terms: Chair Joe Pato, Peter Kelley, Norman Co- hen, Michelle Ciccolo, and Suzie Barry. Deborah Mauger resigned from the Board effective July 13 2014 due to re- locating out of Lexington. Mr. Kelley was re-elected to a fifth term at the annual election and Ms. Barry was elected in a special election on November 4, 2014 to fill the seat left vacant upon Ms. Mauger’s resignation. The Board of Selectmen is committed to balancing the in- terests of all of Lexington and continuing to ensure the Town remains a strong, diverse and healthy community. Fiscal Matters Lexington continued to maintain its positive financial standing. Property tax revenues rose due to new growth in both the residential and commercial sectors. Home pric- es have continued to rise rapidly during the year, and the housing market has been robust. Residential property val- ues, however, grew faster than commercial values shifting some property tax burden from commercial to residential payers. As a result, the Selectmen increased the split tax- rate factor to its maximum to soften the impact on residen- tial tax-payers. In addition the Selectmen held an in-depth information session on property assessments and increased the visibility of property tax relief programs available to Lexington residents. We have maintained our Aaa rating from our bond agen- cies, and our cost of debt is very low. The Selectmen kept their goal to have no operating overrides. The Selectmen have continued their policy to set aside a portion of rev- enues in a fund that would be used to reduce the impact of excluded debt and to support capital projects. Town Meet- ing approved appropriations from this fund to mitigate ex- cluded debt tax increases due to the construction of a new Estabrook, the renovation of the Bridge and Bowman el- ementary schools, and to offset some of the costs of adding modular classrooms at Lexington High School. Community Engagement Among the Selectmen’s key goals is to work to sustain the social fabric that unites the town into a community. Several issues this year have created the need to improve commu- nity engagement so that an informed public can engage in a productive civic debate. Concerns over the placement of traffic signals at certain intersections have led the Se- lectmen to hold highly publicized information and listen- ing sessions. Similarly, public discomfort with the rate of housing change through teardowns and redevelopment has led to discussions between the Selectmen and the Plan- ning Board. As a result the Planning Board created the Residential Policy subcommittee tasked to gather public concerns and develop appropriate zoning initiatives. Lexington continues to become more ethnically diverse. In response to these changes, the 2020 Vision Committee recommended, and the Selectmen concurred, that we take active steps to promote the inclusion of all residents in mu- nicipal activities. Outreach activities have included partici- pation by Selectmen in events organized by both the Chi- nese American Association of Lexington and the Indian Americans of Lexington designed to encourage members of those communities to get involved in town committees and governance. As a result civic participation by Asian residents has risen substantially between 2013 and 2015. Land Acquisition and Use Renovations of the mansion and modern annex at 39 Mar- rett Road to become the new Community Center neared completion at the end of the fiscal year. The Recreation and Community Programs department began to occupy the fa- cility at the end of June and Senior Center programs be- gan early in July. Full use of the Community Center, with evening and weekend hours, began in the the fall of 2015. Annual Meeting authorized the acquisition of the remain- ing parcel at 241 Grove St. In 2012 the Town purchased the bulk of the Wright Farm and acquired an option to purchase the house and barn retained by the Wright family on a .99 acre parcel. The farmhouse will be rehabilitated by LexHab and used as part of their affordable housing in- ventory. The barn, driveway, and parking area will allow the Conservation Commission to improve access to the exist- ing conservation parcel and explore the feasibility of offer- ing comprehensive environmental education programs for children and the community. Capital Planning The Board continues to address the issues of maintaining and improving our capital infrastructure, including, but not limited to, our roads, water and sewer systems, parks and fields and buildings. The Board affirmed that its high- est municipal priority is to pursue refreshed public safety facilities. In support of schools, the Town is refining the Lexington Public Schools Master Plan in response to bur- Town Government