HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-26 SB-min
Select Board Meeting
July 26, 2021
A remote participation meeting of the Lexington Select Board was called to order at 7:03 PM on Monday,
July 26, 2021 via Zoom meeting services. Select Board Chair Ms. Hai; Vice Chair Mr. Lucente; and
members Mr. Pato; Ms. Barry; and Mr. Sandeen were present, as well as Mr. Malloy, Town Manager;
Ms. Axtell, Deputy Town Manager; and Ms. Katzenback, Executive Clerk.
Ms. Hai stated that the meeting was being conducted via Zoom as posted, with the agenda on the Town’s
website, noting that some members and staff were participating from the Select Board meeting room
using the Meeting Owl Pro device to test the technology for hybrid meeting participation.
Ms. Hai provided directions to members of the public, watching/listening via the Zoom application,
regarding the procedure for making a public comment. Ms. Hai reminded Board members, staff, and
members of the public about Lexington’s Standard of Conduct regarding civil discourse during Town
Government meetings.
SELECT BOARD MEMBER CONCERNS AND LIAISON REPORTS
Ms. Barry asked Mr. Malloy if there is an update regarding the redesign of the Town website. Mr. Malloy
will speak to the IT department and report back at the next meeting.
Mr. Lucente and Ms. Hai agreed the written format is helpful because it allows members to absorb and
digest the information.
Ms. Barry reported that she and Mr. Pato were part of a meeting with the owner of 475 Bedford Street,
the former Boston Sports Club, who is starting the process of developing the site into a planned
development district for potential as lab space/mixed use plus parking. The site is constrained by wetlands
and high-tension wires.
Ms. Hai officially welcomed Lexington’s new Chief Equity Officer, Martha Duffield, and presented her
with the Lexington Town Seal lapel pin. Ms. Duffield has fifteen years of experience as a civil engineer
and has been involved with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts in Burlington, MA.
ACTION: Mr. Malloy will speak to the IT department and report back at the next meeting regarding the
redesign of the Town website.
DOCUMENT: Select Board member Concerns and Liaison Reports—July 26. 2021
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Mr. Malloy reported he has met with consultant/facilitator Julia Novak regarding the Select Board’s Goal
Setting process. He is also discussing an organizational study that would be conducted with Ms. Novak’s
assistance.
Mr. Malloy reported that the vacant seats on the Recreation Committee were publicly posted on the
Town’s website and also announced via email blasts sent out by the Public Information Officer, Shawn
Duggan.
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CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approve Select Board Meeting Minutes
To approve and release the Select Board meeting minutes of May 18, 2020, May 28, 2020 and July 12,
2021.
DOCUMENTS: DRAFT 2020.05.18 Select Board May 18, 2020; DRAFT 2020.05.28 Select Board May
28, 2020; DRAFT 2021.07.12 Select Board July 12, 2021.
2. Application Entertainment License—CFHP The Hangar, LLC d/b/a Revolution Hall, 3
Maguire Road
To approve an Entertainment License for CFHP The Hangar, LLC d/b/a Revolution Hall, 3 Maguire Road
for the purpose of providing live musical performances for patrons of the concert event to take place on
Saturday, August 21, 2021 from 2:00pm to 8:00pm in the parking lot of 3 Maguire Road.
Note: The Police, Building and Fire Departments have reviewed the request and have no concerns. The
applicant shall work with the Police Department for any police details. The applicant shall work with the
Building Department for approvals of the stage.
DOCUMENTS: Revolution Hall—Overview of Event for Entertainment License; Revolution Hall—Map
of Event Location for Entertainment License
3. Select Board Appointment of Tenant Member to Lexington Housing Authority Board
To appoint Maureen Rynn as the Tenant Board Member to the Lexington Housing Authority Board for a
five-year term to be effective on April 1, 2022 and set to expire on March 31, 2027.
DOCUMENTS: Notice of Open Town Appointed Tenant Board Member Seat from Lexington Housing
Authority; 2021 Lexington Housing Authority Board Tenant Member Application –M. Rynn
4. Select Board Committee Appointment & Reappointments
To appoint Nagarjuna Venna to the Transportation Advisory Committee to fill an unexpired term that is
set to expire on September 30, 2021.
To reappoint E. Ashley Rooney, Mary Ross Hutton, Wayne Miller, and Aneesha Karody to the Town
Celebrations Subcommittee each for a one-year term ending on June 30, 2022.
DOCUMENTS: 2021 Transportation Advisory Committee Application—N. Venna; 2021 Town
Celebrations Subcommittee Application—E.A. Rooney; 2021 Town Celebrations Subcommittee
Application—M.R. Hutton; 2021 Town Celebrations Subcommittee Application—W. Miller; 2021 Town
Celebrations Subcommittee Application—A. Karody.
5. Town Manager Committee Appointments
To approve the Town Manager's recommendation to appointment Carl Fantasia and Claire Sheth to the
Recreation Committee.
DOCUMENTS: Recreation Committee Memo; Fantasia Application; Sheth Application.
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 by roll call to approve the
Consent Agenda.
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ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
1. Public Hearing: All-Alcohol Package Store Liquor License—LLAWN- Lexington, LLC d/b/a
Wine & Market, 186 Bedford Street
Ms. Hai opened the Public Hearing at 7:15 p.m.
Present were: Dan Newcomb, applicant and manager on record; Andrew Upton, Attorney for the
applicant; and Glen Lawler, 30-year veteran of the industry and consultant to the applicant. The Board
was provided with an overview of the proposed small-scale Wine & Market concept to be located at 186
Bedford Street.
Attorney Upton reported that the location has been developed with a sensitivity to abutter concerns
regarding light and noise pollution and traffic. Mr. Upton stated that Mr. Newcomb has a good track
record in the business and is focused on providing high quality products, including wines, beers, artisanal
spirits; a selection of coffees; and an evolving gourmet food line. Market research and outreach to Town
and public safety officials has been conducted, yielding supportive feedback.
Mr. Lucente said he had no problem with the business concept but there has recently been quite a bit of
concern expressed by the neighborhood. Mr. Lucente asked about the hours of operation on the license,
noting that closing time is listed as 11 p.m. Ms. Katzenback confirmed to the Board that the hours listed
on the applicant’s request match all other Lexington package store licenses, although shops do not always
choose to stay open all the hours they are permitted.
Ms. Hai asked for clarification about what uses Town Meeting approved for zoning this space. Mr.
Malloy confirmed that a liquor store is a permitted use which was passed by the required two-thirds vote.
Dan Xu, 1 Vaille Avenue, said he lives across the street from 186 Bedford Street and experiences the new
development as large with many windows and doors. He fears his house will not be protected from the
light and noise of the businesses located in the building. He believes a 7 or 8 o’clock closing time is late
enough for the surrounding residential area.
Mr. Newcomb stated the store will not have neon signs and said he has committed to the landlord that the
business will be upscale in nature and appearance. He said he is willing to make adjustments if needed to
be a good neighbor.
Zivthan Dumbrovsky, 33 Reed Street, stated he participated in many of the Planning Board meetings that
ultimately led to Town Meeting approval for the zoned use of the location. He believes that a liquor store
fits the zoning criteria but he has concerns about the hours of operation. Mr. Dumbrovsky said the
discussion at Planning Board meetings indicated that 186 Bedford Street businesses would be active
during working hours but closed when abutters were home. He believes the other package stores in town
with the same hours do not directly abut residential neighborhoods. Mr. Dumbrovsky added that another
liquor store nearby (Apex) recently closed so he is not confident a new store will succeed in this location.
Mr. Upton said he believes the reasons Apex closed were due to close proximity to Busa Liquors and to
management problems.
Kun Xie, 23 Reed Street, said he was not solicited for feedback about this business. He does not think a
liquor store is a family-friendly use, as was promoted at the time that the development was undergoing the
permitting process.
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Bob Creech, a Planning Board member but speaking for himself, reported that much of the conversation
between the Planning Board and the owner during the permitting process centered on being a good
neighbor. He believes the crux of residents’ concerns is the late closing time and he hopes the owner also
does what he can to ensure that light from his business does not spill onto adjacent residential properties.
Mr. Upton said he does not believe his client can ask the building owner to reduce the light spillage but
does not have much control over the building owner’s choice of lighting. Mr. Upton committed that his
client would not use neon or flashing signage.
Seeing no further comment, Ms. Hai closed the Public Hearing at 7:38 p.m.
Ms. Katzenback noted the application does not state the hours of operation but if the Board wanted to
specify, hours could be included as conditions when the application is sent on to the Alcoholic Beverages
Control Commission (ABCC). The hours as stated on other such licenses in Lexington reflect the
allowable hours for package stores as defined by the Town and the State.
Mr. Newcomb said he wants foremost to be a good neighbor and is willing to adjust to an earlier closing
time on all days of the week except Friday and Saturday when he wants to ensure he can remain
competitive with other package stores. Once he knows what it is like to do business in Lexington, he may
be able to revise those hours as well.
Mr. Pato pointed out that there are other stores in mixed-use areas and they are permitted to remain open
until 11 p.m. if they so choose. He also noted that the liquor license must be renewed every year so
adjustments can be made.
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 by roll call to approve the
application for a new package store liquor license for LLAWM-Lexington, LLC d/b/a Wine and Market
for the proposed \[amended\] store hours of 8:30 am – 10:00 pm Monday through Thursday; 8:30 a.m.-
11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday; and 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Sunday and to issue an all alcoholic
Package Store Liquor License to LLAWM-Lexington, LLC d/b/a Wine and Market once the application
has been approved by the ABCC and the Certificate of Occupancy has been issued by the Building
Department for 186 Bedford Street.
DOCUMENTS: Application—Package Store—186 Bedford Street; Applicant Letter to Select Board;
Map of 186 Bedford Street Area
2. Discuss and Approve Reengaging Police Station Building Architect and Timeline
Ms. Hai reviewed the Police Station project status, noting that it had postponed just as it approached a
third design stage at a time when the community began to tackle discussions about policing and equity.
Ms. Hai emphasized that these conversations will be ongoing but the construction process could
potentially re-commence.
Mr. Pato noted that the community outreach effort he and Mr. Lucente conducted was in part to ascertain
if residents had objections to moving forward with design/construction plans. Mr. Pato summarized the
findings on this aspect of the inquiry, noting that although there was substantial input regarding the role
of the Police in Lexington, residents largely did not object to moving forward with the Capital project.
Community feedback did, however, express a desire for community spaces, a welcoming and inclusive
physical plant, and consideration for Universal Design standards. Another desire was to examine flexible
versus rigid design of various spaces, such as evidence storage and laboratory rooms.
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Mr. Pato said this feedback about the physical plant would be delivered to the architects once they are
engaged in the reactivated project. Mr. Pato said he fully supports reengagement but feels the timeline
needs to be discussed.
Ms. Barry also supported re-engagement.
Mr. Sandeen agreed with re-engagement but asked if the written report on the community feedback on the
building from Mr. Pato and Mr. Lucente’s community engagement would be ready for review by the time
the Town schedules its next meeting with the architects. Mr. Lucente stated that the written report would
be ready; he characterized the feedback regarding the physical project as a list that included very good,
but not earth-shattering suggestions. Mr. Sandeen said he would support re-engagement based on the
understanding that Town staff are able to review the written report prior to re-engagement.
Ms. Hai asked if Mr. Cronin, Director of Public Facilities could also support reviewing this written report
with the architects. Mr. Cronin said that he had recently spoken with the architects who have no
impediment to moving forward quickly, and Mr. Cronin felt that reviewing the written report and
incorporating some suggested changes from the community would be in scope. Ms. Hai believes re-
engagement with the architects should help clarify what is quantifiable.
Mr. Lucente also supported moving forward. He reported that even those community members who had
not had positive experiences with the Police supported moving ahead because they could separate the
Police from the need for an improved building.
Sarah Higginbotham, 21 Byron Avenue, said she hoped the Board would spend more time delving deeply
into what the feedback is trying to communicate regarding public safety and the role of Police.
Tom Shiple, 18 Phinney Road, said he had hoped to see the written feedback report before the Board
voted whether to move forward. He asked at which Town Meeting the construction article would come up
and when a debt exclusion vote is to be expected
Ms. Hai said the timeline is very much still in draft form so it is too soon to be able to answer those
questions.
David Kanter, Vice Chair Capital Expenditures Committee, asked if more funds would be needed to get
through the design phases and when those funds might be needed.
Mr. Cronin said he believes the remaining design phases will not need supplemental funding but more
funding will be needed to complete construction documents. Additional funds to retrofit the temporary
headquarters space on 173 Bedford Street will also be needed. Special Town Meeting Fall 2021 is the
expected target date for that request.
Valerie Overton 25 Emerson Gardens, said she would have preferred that all Board members had read a
detailed report rather than moving forward based on a very high level overview of the community
conversation findings. She believes there was less feedback re: the physical plant because the questions
asked of the community focused on current policing rather than on imagining what we want the police
facility to look like for the next 50+ years of its lifespan. Ms. Overton said rating a feedback comment by
the number of times it is heard can perpetuate the marginalization of under-represented groups.
Dawn McKenna, Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member, voiced support for moving forward with the
building design. She believes the Town needs to balance the care with which it moves forward with an
understanding that delays cause cost increases.
Ms. Hai believes that all elements can be brought together in balance.
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Mr. Pato said he intends to discuss the various options as presented by the architect, not merely move
ahead without careful consideration. Ms. Hai asked Mr. Malloy and Mr. Cronin to be sure that the
architects know that discussion and updating of priorities will be necessary.
Mr. Sandeen suggested that residents interested in providing more feedback about the Police Station
design could attend Permanent Building Committee meetings where the project will be discussed in
detail.
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 by roll call to authorize the
Town Manger to re-engage the Architect to proceed into Design Development phases of the Police
Station Project and the design of temporary Police Station at 173 Bedford Street.
ACTION ITEMS: Mr. Malloy and Mr. Cronin to re-engage the architect; the Board will meet with the
architects at a later meeting.
DOCUMENTS: DRAFT schedule
3. Review and Approve Request for Traffic Sugn—Fairlawn Lane
Sheila Page, Assistant Planner, reported that the DPW and Transportation Safety Group (TSG) had
received many concerned comments about the crosswalk on Lowell Street near Fairlawn Lane that lacks
visibility when vehicles turn from Fairlawn Lane onto Lowell Street (a numbered State road). After
visiting the site to investigate and communicating with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation,
TSG recommends putting a stop sign and stop line at the intersection. The Planning Department concurs.
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 by roll call to amend in
accordance with the provisions of Chapter 689 of 1986 of the General laws the Traffic Rules and Orders
of Lexington Chapter 192 of the Code of Lexington by adding to Chapter 192-10, Schedule 7, the
following: a STOP SIGN at Fairlawn Lane, South Bound at Lowell Street.
DOCUMENTS: Memo; Plan; Vote
4. Acceptance and Easement for 2 Edna Street and Adopt Parking Code Amendment
Mr. Lucente reported, based on a communication he received from resident Frank Sandy, that there is a
typo/misidentification in the easement document that should read “Edna Street” instead of “Steadman
Road”. Ms. Page agreed it was a typo and that it requires correction.
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 by roll call to amend in
accordance with the provisions of Chapter 689 of 1986 of the General Laws, the Traffic Rules and Orders
of Lexington, adopted by the Board of Selectmen on November 13, 1967, now Chapter 192 of the Code
of Lexington as follows:
By adding to Chapter 192-18 Schedule 1, the following:
LOCATION SIDE FROM TO REGULATION
___________________________________________________________________
Edna Street West 210 feet south of To end of Edna NO PARKING
Homestead Street Street
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FURTHER to accept a non-exclusive right and easement in gross for the purpose set forth in the attached
easement document for the purpose of entering by vehicle the driveway easement area shown as
“Proposed Turnaround Easement” (the “Easement Area”) on that certain sketch plan entitled “Definitive
Site Development Plan entitled “Edna Street Extension,” dated February 24, 2014 (revised through May
20, 2014) prepared by Frederick Russell, PE and Robert Survey (the “Plan”) a copy of which is filed
herewith. The Easement Area is located on property of the Grantors commonly known as 2 Edna Street,
referred to as Lot 168 on Lexington Assessor’s Map 58, and is further described in the deed from Edna
Street LLC to Chen He and Deling Chen dated May 6, 2015, filed with Middlesex South Land
Registration Office as Document #01698270 (the “Property”).
FURTHER to authorize the Town Manager to execute the attached easement document as attached, on
behalf of the Select Board with only non-substantive amendments made for legal reasons by Town
Counsel.
ACTION ITEMS: Amend the documents to remove “Steadman Street” and replace with “Edna Road”
where applicable plus any other non-substantive amendments to be made for legal reasons by Town
Council.
DOCUMENTS: Easement Request; Easement Document; Edna Subdivision; Parking Code Amendment
5. Battle Green Use Request—Lexington Minute Men 2021 Change of Command Ceremony
The Lexington Minute Men, Inc. have requested permission to use the Battle Green on Sunday, August
29, 2021 from 12:01p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for the purpose of their 2021 Change of Command Ceremony,
consisting of: setup, marching from St. Brigid's Church onto the Battle Green, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ceremonial
cannon firings by the Uxbridge Artillery, awarding insignias of rank, speeches and removal of
equipment.
The Police Department, Department of Public Works, and Fire Department have no objections to this
request. The Police Department directed the applicant to work with the Traffic Bureau to secure parking
spot reservations within the area of the Battle Green. The Fire Department will be issuing a permit for the
cannon.
Ms. Barry asked if the cannon firing is a new element. Kevin Collins, Adjutant for the Lexington Minute
Men, reported that it had been done before, most recently in 2018.
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 by roll call to approve the
request from Lexington Minute Men, Inc. to use the Battle Green on Sunday, August 29, 2021 from 12:01
p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for the purpose of their 2021 Change of Command Ceremony.
DOCUMENTS: Battle Green Request for 2021 Change of Command Ceremony—Lexington Minute
Men; Use of the Battle Green Regulations
6. Battle Green Use Request—Celebration of Life Event in Memory of Dan H. Fenn, Jr.
Thomas O. Fenn, Esq. has requested permission to use the Battle Green on Saturday, September 18, 2021
from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a celebration of life event in memory of his father, and longtime
Lexington resident, Dan H. Fenn, Jr. Mr. Fenn stated that requesting use of the Battle Green was to
prepare for an alternate plan in case First Parish was not able to offer its sanctuary for the celebration due
to construction. Mr. Fenn stated he will know in early August 2021 whether the Battle Green will be
needed.
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Ms. Hai suggested that this Battle Green Use request be tabled and brought back, if necessary, to an
August 2021 Select Board meeting if Mr. Fenn hears back that First Parish is unavailable.
ACTION ITEMS: Mr. Fenn’s request will be placed on an Select Board agenda in August (if needed)
prior to the September event.
DOCUMENTS: Battle Green Request for Celebration of Life Event in Memory of Dan H. Fenn, Jr—
Fenn Family; Use of the Battle Green Regulations
7. Battle Green Use Request—Lexington Minute Men Participate in Celebration of Life Event in
the memory of Dan H. Fenn, Jr.
This agenda item, like agenda item # 6, was likewise tabled until the location of the ceremony is known.
ACTION ITEMS: Mr. Fenn’s request will be placed on a Select Board agenda in August prior to the
September event.
DOCUMENTS: Battle Green Request for Celebration of Life Event for Dan H. Fenn, Jr.—Lexington
Minute Men; Use of Battle Green Regulations.
8. Battle Green Use Request—United States Army Promotion Ceremony for Captain John T.
Logan III
Captain John T. Logan III has requested permission to conduct a United States Army promotion
ceremony on the Battle Green on Saturday, August 7, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. There will be
no chairs or podium required for the ceremony. The applicant will provide two stationary flagpoles on
stands for the United States of America flag and the United States Army flag.
Dawn McKenna, Chair of the Tourism Committee, requested that users of the Battle Green remain
mindful of the tours of the Green that are being given. Captain Logan agreed to be mindful of other users
of the Battle Green at the time of the event.
On behalf of the Board, Ms. Barry and Ms. Hai congratulated Captain Logan on his promotion.
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve the request for
Captain John T. Logan III of the United States Army to conduct a United States Army promotion
ceremony on the Battle Green on Saturday, August 7, 2021 from 10:00am to 10:30am.
DOCUMENTS: Battle Green Request for United States Army Promotion Ceremony—Captain John T.
Logan III; Use of Battle Green Regulations.
The Board took a brief recess at 8:42 p.m. and resumed order at 8:44 p.m.
9. Joint Meeting—Select Board & Planning Board: Update on Hartwell Innovation Park
Complete Street Enhancement as Part of Hartwell 25% Design
The Planning Board was called to order at 8:44 p.m.
Present for the Planning Board (PB): Charles Hornig, Chair; Robert Peters, Vice Chair; Bob Creech;
Michael Schanbacher, Clerk; and Melanie Thompson.
Town Staff present: Sheila Page, Town Planner; Ross Moreau, Assistant Town Engineer.
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Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) transportation/civil engineering team members included: Trish
Domigan, Senior Project Manager; Laura Castelli, Transportation Planning Task Manager; Christine
Trearchis, Senior Transportation Manager; Geoffrey Morrison-Logan, Land Use, Placemaking, and
Public Outreach; Brynn Leopold and Ian Banks from Nelson Nygaard, Parking and Transportation
Demand Specialists; Nancy Farrell, Regina Villa Associates, Public Outreach.
Assistant Town Engineer Ross Moreau stated that VHB was the winning finalist from the Request for
Proposal (RFP) process conducted last winter.
The geographic scope of the project area is Wood Street from Massachusetts Avenue down to Hartwell
Avenue, as well as Hartwell Avenue from Hanscom AFB to Elrded Street, Eldred Street from Grove
Street to Bedford Street, Hartwell Place, and Westview Street. The element scope includes traffic and
transportation demand studies and proposals; multi-modal transportation that includes bicycle and
pedestrian accommodations; parking plans; business corridor build-out projections; addressing
environmental concerns; and public outreach.
Ms. Domigan (VHB) stated that the purpose of the project is to get active transportation and Complete
Streets components into the area.
Ms. Trearchis (VHB) said that traffic volume data will not be collected during the 25% design phase; pre-
Covid traffic counts will suffice until the 75% design phase is launched and those counts will confirm
assumptions and determine whether any permanent shifts occurred due to the pandemic. MADOT crash
data will be updated to inform safety recommendations and Complete Street designs. The team is
scheduling a road safety audit with MADOT for the Bedford Street/Hartwell Avenue and the Hartwell
Avenue/Westview Street intersections. All improvements will be multimodal based on safe and east
pedestrian and bicycle accommodations.
Ms. Domigan (VHB) said that State and Federal regulations for healthy transportation and engineering
directives must be followed if the Town wants to ask for project funding from MADOT. Parking demand
analysis will encompass both current and projected needs. Alternative modes of commuting to and from
the Hartwell Avenue area will be incentivized.
Ms. Domigan (VHB) noted environmentally sensitive wetlands as a greenspace resource as well as a
challenge to design and development. Permitting will be done on a State and federal level with
compliance to the Wetland Protection Act, the National Park Service (Wood Street) and Lexington
Conservation bylaws.
Ms. Domigan (VHB) said that, according to her projections, the project will be advanced the 25% design
threshold by 2024. This will include the design Public Hearing with MADOT. The Town has formed a
25% Design Working Group to advance the project to that point.
Public outreach will include a variety of virtual community meetings, a Public Hearings, business
community meetings, community surveys, updates for Town staff and boards. Documents and other
materials about the project will be fully-accessible.
Ms. Domigan (VHB) stated that the functional design concept base mapping will be available in the first
week of August. Once base mapping is done and the traffic analysis is complete, concept sketches of each
of the corridors will be developed. In the next couple of months, alternatives will be drafted and presented
for feedback.
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Mr. Peters (PB) is a member of the 25% Design Working Group. He asked if VHB had changed its
assumptions about what a post-Covid work world will look like and asked what data points are being used
to forecast the future.
Mr. Morrison-Logan (VHB) replied that changes are indeed being seen, especially in housing, i.e., where
people choose to live and work; and also with regard to commuting patterns. At the same time, there has
been a surge in the high-tech industry in terms of Research and Development and the demand for
incubator space. Findings from past Hartwell project consultants will be taken into account as well as
emerging trends. Mr. Morrison-Logan said that the team, along with the Lexington Planning Department,
intends to test out different build-out scenarios to understand the various impacts of a various land use
proposals.
Mr. Creech (PB) asked whether working from home rather instead of commuting to a Hartwell Avenue
business location will be part of the plan VHB ultimately presents. Mr. Morrison-Logan (VHB) said trip
generation and how people move to and within the area are parts of the equation.
Ms. Castelli (VHB) said that traffic trends—specific to Hartwell as well as to the region—will be part of
the investigation, as will conventional and alternative transportation scenarios. Business owners/managers
will be surveyed about how their employees commute or if they work from home.
Ms. Thompson (PB) asked if, in future, materials to be presented can be available prior to meetings so
that it can be reviewed beforehand. Ms. Domigan (VHB) said the concepts can be provided and also
posted in the Virtual Meeting Room being established for the process. The Town’s website will also be
used and the members of the 25% Design Team will also be sources of information.
Ms. Barry (SB) said that Eldred Street is now being included in the project’s geographic scope largely in
recognition of public concern about the impacts of the project on that neighborhood. Ms. Barry noted that
any improvements for Hartwell Avenue near Hanscom Air Force Base might be eligible for federal
defense community infrastructure funding.
Mr. Sandeen (SB) asked if the ideal for bike safety of separated pathways or the less ideal protected bike
lanes or painted bike lanes for bicycle accommodation will be considered. The VHB team said they
would consider separated facilities, raised pathways and wider spaced bike lanes in terms of traffic
volume, safety, and Complete Streets criteria. VHB will also be considering potential policies regarding
e-bikes.
Mr. Sandeen (SB) stated that residents are highly focused on the goal of reducing traffic and asked
whether the team would be starting their analysis with the objective of minimizing traffic and parking
rather than starting from a goal of accommodating current or future high volumes of traffic and parking.
Mr. Morrison-Logan (VHB) said that the different build out scenarios will consider variables like
transportation and parking, reducing overall trips, maximizing multi-modal transportation; however,
managing different expectations of different stakeholders will be challenging. Ms. Leopold (VHB) said
that with parking it is often, if you build it, they will come. She said the team will recommend as little
parking as can be managed. They will consider shared parking for complementary uses, they will consider
ability to walk from one building to another, and will try to encourage alternate modes of transportation
other than single-occupancy vehicles.
Mr. Lucente (SB) said his big concern is how to plan for future transportation modes that are not yet
known. He believes that since Hartwell is an Innovation Park, forward thinking will be essential. Mr.
Lucente also noted the plans should remove the “H” (indication for a hospital) on map for the building
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located at Hartwell Avenue and Bedford Street so as to remove any confusion. That building is a medical
facility but not a hospital in the traditional sense for which that indicator is used.
Ms. Hai (SB) asked how much public outreach has been done to date and asked that the outreach be broad
enough to pull in abutting neighborhoods which have expressed keen interest in the project.
Ms. Domigan said abutting neighborhoods would most certainly be included. She reported that the team
had a kickoff meeting with Town staff (April 2021) and a 25% Working Group meeting (May 2021). Two
stakeholder meetings are scheduled for August and September and a public meeting will take place in
September. The team will also alert the Town of Bedford.
Ms. Hai reaffirmed this was just an update to the two Boards regarding the status of the Hartwell Avenue
area project.
The Planning Board adjourned at 9:42 p.m. The Select Board continued with the regular portion of their
meeting.
ACTION ITEM: VHB and Planning Department to schedule Public meetings.
DOCUMENTS: Presentation—7/26/21
10. Discuss and Approve Statement Regarding Bill H 3893: An Act Authorizing the Town of
Lexington to Adopt and Enforce Local Regulations Restricting New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure
in Certain Construction
Mr. Malloy stated there is a hearing on July 27, 2021 on H. 3893 regarding the Town of Lexington's
Home Rule Petition for special legislation which would authorize Lexington to adopt a regulation to
restrict fossil fuel HVAC systems in specific types of construction. He said given the short notice for this
hearing, a draft statement has been developed for the Board's review and approval. He also recommended
that Select Board member Mark Sandeen be authorized to testify on behalf of the Town at the July 27,
2021 hearing.
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 by roll call to approve the
attached statement with non-substantive edits and further to authorize Select Board member Mark
Sandeen to testify on H. 3893 on behalf of the Town of Lexington.
DOCUMENTS: H 3893 Statement
11. Discuss Timeline for September 2021 Select Board Committee Reappointments & Recruitment
Ms. Hai stated that as a new process has not yet been defined for Select Board Committee recruitment,
appointment and reappointment process, it is being recommended to move forward with the September
reappointments using the existing process. The Staff has put together a timeline of action items to move
forward for the September reappointments.
Ms. Hai stated that committee members wishing to be reappointed this September will need to submit a
completed reappointment application and a copy of a current ethics training certificate. The Select Board
office will send several notices to committee members with September expirations to make sure they have
adequate opportunity to supply all required documents for consideration of reappointment.
In regards to developing a new process, Mr. Lucente said it is important to allow abundant time when the
Select Board changes policies and processes. He feels it is important to devote time to thinking carefully
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about all aspects of recruitment, appointment, reappointment, and end of term. He believes ethics training
is critically important but asked that the Town offer support for potential nominees who may need
assistance or computer access in order to comply with the requirement.
Mr. Pato agreed with Mr. Lucente’s concerns. He also said he is disappointed that the new processes,
especially with regard to recruitment, will not be in place for another year.
Ms. Barry said it is also important to remind currently serving members to renew their ethics training. Ms.
Katzenback reported the Town Clerk sends out notifications when recertification is needed. Ms. Barry
suggested that committee chairs take a more active role in making sure members are up to date and said
perhaps the Town Clerk can inform committee chairs of members’ status.
ACTION ITEMS: Ms. Barry and Ms. Hai to work on a draft proposal for a new Select Board committee
appointment process.
DOCUMENTS: For Discussion—DRAFT Timeline and Procedures for September 2021 Committee
Member Re-Appointments; Excerpt from Select Board Procedures Manual—RE—Advisory Committees.
ADJOURN
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 by roll call to adjourn the meeting at
9:56 p.m.
A true record; Attest:
Kim Siebert
Recording Secretary
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