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08/02/2018 AC Minutes Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee (AC) August 2, 2018 Place and Time: Parker Room, Town Office Building, 7:00 p.m. Members Present: John Bartenstein, Chair; Alan Levine, Vice-Chair & Secretary; Ellen Basch, Eric Michelson; Richard Neumeier; Sanjay Padaki; Glenn Parker; Andrei Radulescu-Banu; Lily Manhua Yan; Carolyn Kosnoff,Assistant Town Manager, Finance (non-voting, ex-officio) Members)Absent: None Other Attendees: Richard Canale, Planning Board liaison; Matt Daggett, Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) and Town Meeting Member; Helen Yang,previous AC member The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. 1. Announcements: • Mr. Bartenstein thanked Helen Yang for her service on the AC and gave her a card signed by committee members expressing their appreciation. • Mr. Bartenstein welcomed Mr. Parker back to the AC. • Mr. Radulescu-Banu reported that he will be resigning from the AC, with this meeting being his last as a committee member. 2. Comprehensive Plan Update: Mr. Bartenstein opened the discussion by explaining the reason for inviting Mr. Canale and Mr. Daggett to the meeting. He reviewed concerns related to the potential financial implications of goals that may be identified in the new Comprehensive Plan, noting that analyzing the financial sustainability of zoning changes would likely be complex. The AC does not have a member or a liaison on the CPAC, and its role in the process is not clear. Mr. Canale explained that the current comprehensive plan was finalized in 2002 or 2003. Although some elements remain relevant, it was decided to pursue a new plan, for which Town Meeting appropriated $300,000. It is expected to be a two- to three-year process. Rather than engage one consultant, it was decided to "farm out" various components to specialists in different areas. General oversight during the process is being provided by two Selectmen, two School Committee members, and two Planning Board members. Additionally, there are 13 CPAC members, representing a broad cross section of Lexington interest groups; they plan to meet monthly. Community input is a critical element. There was an initial kick-off meeting in June, and this is being followed by six panel discussions designed to put Lexington's future into a regional context. Using a handout, Mr. Canale explained that, using information from the June kick-off meeting, the CPAC identified six plan components/values, each of which had weaknesses and threats as well as strengths and opportunities. Going forward, it will be necessary to evaluate the trade- offs associated with meeting the needs identified in those components. He stressed the importance of getting residents to participate in and accept the process. He anticipates the development of a policy document with short-term, middle-term and long-terra implementation 1