2009-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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At the 2009 November Special Town Meeting, a CD re- zoning was approved for the Lexington Technology Park (LTP).'Ihe CD rezoning allows for the construction of an additional 890,000 square feet of research and garage space. When completed, the new structures will generate addi- tional tax revenue of $2.5 million. Shire HGT, the principal occupant at the LTP, will not be pursuing a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement on the new space. The current TIF agreement with Shire, in its second year, has generated $1.8 million in tax revenue. Special Town Meeting also approved a CD rezoning for 45 -65 Hayden Avenue, occupied by Cubist Pharmaceuti- cals. The amended zoning will allow for the construction of an additional 290,000 square feet of research and garage space. When completed, the site will generate approximate- ly 82 million in annual tax revenue. Finally, Special Town Meeting approved several changes to the zoning for the Center Business district that will facilitate small business development in Lexington Center. Lexington Center continues to be a busy place. Several new businesses have opened in the past year, including a deli, a bakery, a nail and beauty salon and a medical spa. Several scenes for the in- dependent movie The Fighter were shot in the Center. A $1.1 million economic development grant, secured in 2008, has enabled infrastructure improvements at Spring Street and Marrett Road. A sidewalk has been completed on Spring Street and the curbing and utilities have been put in place for the signals at the intersection. The project will be completed in the spring of 2010. Lexington's economic development efforts were recognized state -wide with the naming of Lexington as a Mass Biotech Council's Platinum -level BioReady` Community. Senior Management Team The Town Manager's Senior Management Team (SMT), made up of the Town's 14 department managers, has worked to define organizational mission, implement the Selectmen's goals and objectives, and evaluate and improve the Town's programs and services. The SMT continues to maintain the organization's collaborative culture to keep municipal programs and services functioning effectively. The SMT worked on the following projects: • Emergency Response Plan for H 1 N 1 flu epidemic • Town Hall renovation and reuse plan underway • Implemented Laserfiche electronic document imaging system for common use by departments • Created "Energy Champions Program" for municipal and school departments to reduce energy consumption • Designed professional development plan for mid level managers -OWN OF LEXINGTON 1 7 Implemented a Citizens' Academy in cooperation with the 2020 Vision Committee Human Resources The Town Manager's Office and Human Resources contin- ued to spend considerable time during 2009 negotiating with the Towns collective bargaining units.'Me Town was able to reach bargaining agreements for fiscal year 2009 with all of the Town's ten (10) collective bargaining units. The Interna- tional Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) had filed for ar- bitration with the JLMC; however, the Town and the IAFF were able to reach a settlement prior to the arbitration. For fiscal year 2010, as of the date of this report, the Town has reached settlement with one (1) of the ten (10) bargain- ing units; the Lexington Police Association. Negotiation will continue with the other nine (9) bargaining units to settle contracts which expired on June 30, 2009. The Town has been negotiating with the Employee Health Insurance Coalition, the bargaining coalition that repre- sents both Municipal and School unions on health and den- tal insurance matters. The current agreement between the Town and the Employee Health Insurance Coalition also expired on June 30, 2009. Salary and benefits also known as total compensation which are each negotiated separately, are linked for the purposes of contract talks. The concept of total compensation is being discussed with employees to increase awareness and understanding of the value of em- ployee benefits. Other accomplishments of the Human Resources Depart- ment during 2009 include: • Coordinating assessment center processes for the posi- tions of Police Chief and Police Captain; • Drafting and implementing several organization -wide administrative policies; • Working with a consultant on a classification and com- pensation study for the Lexington Municipal Employee Association; • Providing staff support to the Selectmen's Ad -Hoc Fis- cal Task Force; • Coordinating training for employees on Harassment Prevention, Performance Evaluations and Legal issues; • Assisting in the creation of a multi -year professional de- velopment plan; and • Coordinating with the Town's Employee Wellness Team and monthly "whole- life" seminars for employees .