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T 0 W M G 0 V IIE':IIR I A IIE':III' T BOARD OF SELECTMEN (continued) The Selectmen approved a Memorandum of Understanding Affordability for Residents (MOU) with National Development for the rezoning and The Selectmen have adopted a goal to minimize the burden planned development at 55-56 Watertown Street, formerly of property tax increases on residents. The Selectmen are the Belmont Country Club. The project included a 48- committed to keeping the total average residential property unit memory care assisted living facility, "Bridges;' and a tax increase spikes at or below 5%,and provide tax relief pro- 40-unit assisted living and 116-unit independent living grams to reduce the burden on seniors and other vulnerable facility, "Waterstone.' The rezoned parcels were approved at populations. Upon the recommendations of the Selectmen's the Special Town Meeting in November 2018. The project Ad Hoc Residential Exemption Policy Study Committee, addressed the need for rental housing alternatives for seniors, we will investigate options for other exemption models that increased the number of the Town's affordable units in the would require a home-rule petition to the state legislature for housing inventory, and had an incremental positive impact a means-tested and/or age-based residential exemption and to on the commercial tax revenue to the Town. continue to promote the existing programs for tax deferrals. Street Improvements Municipal and School Buildings The maintenance of the Town's roads and sidewalks is a The Board continues to address the issues of maintaining and improving our infrastructure. FY2019 was a year of con- priority for the Selectmen. The Center Streetscape Project struction for the Town.The debt exclusion vote in December encompasses the reconstruction of streets and sidewalks in 2017 has allowed for several projects to move into the con- Lexington Center along Massachusetts Avenue from Meriam struction phase. Street to the Police Station driveway. Project design funds were approved at the Special Town Meeting in November • The Lexington Fire Department Headquarters replace- 2018, and at the 2019 Annual Town Meeting the full con- ment project construction began in November 2018 and struction funding of$9,105,000 was approved. The project is expected to be completed in March 2020 with a project improvements include lighting, pedestrian, bicycle, and ve- budget of$19.9M. hicular safety improvements. Additional goals of the project • The Maria Hastings Elementary School replacement project are to make the sidewalks and crosswalks more accessible construction began in May 2018 with student relocation to and safer for people with disabilities, while renewing the the new school in February 2020.Construction is expected mid-century modern landscape. Battle Green Streetscape to be completed in October 2020,with a project budget of improvements funding will be coming in a future year. All $65.2M. Streetscape improvements for the Center and Battle Green are targeted for completion prior to the 250th Patriots' Day The Lexington Children's Place project to accommodate celebration in April 2025. preschool-aged children began construction in May 2018 with expected project completion in September 2019 with a Hartwell Avenue Zoning Initiative project budget of$15.OM. The Selectmen have continued to explore strategies with respect to economic development and zoning initiatives in Other significant projects include the following: the north section of Hartwell Avenue. Commercial property . The Visitors Center replacement project construction be- values in Lexington have been relatively flat over the last ten gan in May 2019 and is expected to be completed in March years. The Town is committed to work toward enhancing 2020 with a project budget of$5.1M. our commercial tax base, and the Hartwell North area has been determined to be one of the largest opportunities for • The Westview Cemetery Building replacement project is in economic growth. Options for the rezoning of the Hartwell the design phase with an estimated project budget of$2.8M. Avenue corridor include revised building heights, mixed- The Board formed an Ad Hoc Crematory Study Committee use, added density, parking requirement changes, and plans to help determine if the project might include a crematory. for new streetscape to improve access and walkability in the The project is expected to come to Annual Town Meeting in area. With continued growth at Hanscom Air Force Base 2020. and the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, the Town will also pursue . The Lexington Police Station building project is in the options for financing traffic improvements at the local, State design phase. The project is expected to be presented to and Federal levels. The Selectmen are committed to working Annual Town Meeting in 2020. The proposed project bud- with area residents and commercial property owners in the get is$25.OM development of any new bylaws. (continued on next page) F4 I TOWN OF LEXINGTON 2019 ANNUAL REPORT