2019-12-02 Joint BOS, SC, PB, and State Delegation-min

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Joint Meeting Board of Selectmen, School Committee, and Planning Board December 2, 2019 A Joint meeting of the Lexington Board of Selectmen, School Committee and Planning Board was called to order at 8:04 p.m. on Monday, December 2, 2019 in the Estabrook Hall, Cary Memorial Building, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue. Present for the Board of Selectmen (BOS): Mr. Lucente, Chair; Mr. Pato; Ms. Barry, Ms. Hai and Mr. Sandeen as well as Mr. Malloy, Town Manager; Ms. Axtell, Deputy Town Manager; and Ms. Katzenback, Executive Clerk. Present for the School Committee (SC): Ms. Lenihan; Ms. Jay, Chair (no quorum). Present for the Planning Board: Mr. Creech, Chair; Mr. Peters; Ms. Johnson; Mr. Canale. Mr. Lucente noted that the following list of subjects of interest was submitted to the legislators prior to the meeting: Vaping •Early Voting Funding •Climate Change Funding •Regional transportation issues (and money to assist therewith).•Ideas on economic development - both downtown revitalizations and larger-scale efforts •Funding for the 250th Celebration •Bill to require Local Impacts of Enacted Legislation •Fossil Fuel consumption and gas leaks in distribution networks; FUTURE Act; Brookline by law restricting gas/oil pipes in new construction (with exceptions for feasibility, restaurant cooking, etc.) •Senior tax deferral - Delay in the jump in the interest rate on estate transfer •Transportation - Regional transit investigation; Hartwell Ave/Bedford St/Wood St project; Transit and Innovation District for the Hartwell area. Mr. Lucente welcomed Representative Ciccolo and Senators Barrett and Friedman and asked them to briefly share news from the State House: Senator Freidman: Three big bills were signed into law last week by the Governor: the Student Opportunity Act; the Vaping bill; and the Child Wellness bill. The Senate recently passed a Pharma bill addressing drug costs. Looking forward, the Senate will discuss a Climate bill, sponsored by Senator Barrett, plus Health Care and Mental Health legislation. Senator Barrett: The major Climate bill is expected to come to a vote in January 2020. Representative Ciccolo: Two Home Rule petitions have been filed by Ms. Ciccolo in the House and Senators Friedman and Barrett have filed reciprocal bills in the Senate. One of those bills— dealing with Capital Expenditures— passed and was signed into law by Governor Baker. The Select Board bill is still in committee but should be ready for a vote soon. Looking ahead, the House will discuss Transportation Finance.  Board of Selectmen questions for the legislators: Mr. Sandeen: What key parts of the Climate bill will be able to move forward? Senator Barrett: It is notable that the State has never given the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) a statutory mandate. This bill, sponsored by Senator Barrett, would correct that to provide 1