Strategic Planning and Implementation Group

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Public Meetings Page 2 III. General Observations from Feedback Several consistent comments regarding core values arose out of the meetings. The most frequently mentioned, not necestsarily'in priority order, include: •a strong sense of community; •high quality public safety; •a focus on diversity in the community, including a diversity of ethnic, economic, and age representation in Lexington; •high quality schools; •tax stability; and •green space issues, primarily relating to the maintenance. and preservation of conservation land and open space. Other values often mentioned during the process include: the presence of high quality libraries; efficiency and accessibility of Town government; tax stability; a willingness to pay for services; a pride in the aesthetic or physical appearance of the community; high quality recreation programming; a pro-business atmosphere; a special concern' for the youth and elderly of the community; and a sensitivity to the historical significance and' heritage of the community. Comments regarding long-term goals also focused on schools and the preservation of a quality educational system in Lexington. Other issues frequently mentioned as important long term goals fof the community include: a well maintained infrastructure, the use of local volunteers, and. an awareness of environmental issues (including recycling,'water usage, and open space issues). Affordable housing, open communications on the part of the Town government, enhanced cultural activities, an improved transportation system, pollution and traffic control, and .a concern for the maintenance of a healthy, vibrant center offering a variety of services were all also mentioned a number of times as goals for which to strive in Lexington. Controlling expansion at Hanscom Air Base and the reopening of Hastings school were the most frequently cited issues to be addressed as program priorities. A long-term goal of openness is reflected in the suggestion that regular,discussions of issues in Town become a p?ogram priority. Other priorities arising out of the sessions include: discussion of the possibility of closing the East Lexington Fire Station; a discussion of the issues of the widening of 2A; a focus on the possible uses for the Metropolitan State Hospital land; a maintenance of the LEXPRESS transportation system; and a recognition of the importance of regional relationships. A complete accounting of the discussion of each session is attached as an addendum to this report to allow readers the ability to see the wide variety of issues and comments made at the various public sessions. IV. Conclusion The feedback obtained from the strategic planning public hearings, while valuable and very useful, is not statistically valid and should not be taken to be representative of the values, priorities, and goals of the community as a whole. This information reflects the views of a small sample of the population of the Town of Lexington and should be judged as a sample of 111