HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-13-LCC-min Town of Lexington
Lexington Center Committee
Minutes of the remote meeting held on May 13th, 2021 beginning at 8:30 am held
pursuant to Governor Baker's executive order of March 12, 2020 and subsequent orders.
Center Committee members: Richard Brown, Michael Boudett, Katherine Huang,
Frederic Johnson, Howard Levin, Jeffery Lyon, Pamela Lyons, Innessa Manning, Jerold
Michelson (Chair) Pamela Shadley
Liaisons: Doug Lucente, Select Board, Frank Smith, Capital Expenditures Committee,
Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director, Dave Pinsonneault, DPW, Dawn
McKenna, Tourism Committee, Erin Sandler-Rathe, Chamber of Commerce
Guests: Betty Gau, Kamala Raj and Jesse Steigerwald, LexSeeHer; John Livsey, DPW
Engineering, Brian Giovanni, Resident Engineer, Streetscape Project, Conrad Leger,
Environmental Partners, Upsana Chhabra
Dave Pinsonneault gave us the DPW update: The parklet won't be going in this year
because it's in the streetscape project construction area. The specs have just been
finalized on the Grain Mill Alley Project so it's going out to bid next month. The specs
for the Battle Green master plan are almost done and should be going out to bid next
year. Eleven Center trees will be replanted elsewhere. Good barrels will be saved for
future use. Pamela Shadley will be taking a look at the GMA plan. Additional trash
pickup will begin the weekend after Memorial Day.
Dave Livesey gave a presentation on the "Center Streetscape Plan." Insert link here.
Construction will begin on May 17th with shutdown in November, 2020. Restart on
April 25, 2021 with substantial completion by November 15th, 2022.
Conrad Leger described the communication plan. The goal is to "partner with residents
and visitors to minimize the effect of ongoing construction activities." There will be a
dedicated page on the Town's website which will be updated weekly.
Mike Boudett: "What will the Center look like this winter?" Construction areas will be
fully completed, nothing temporary will remain. Howard Levin: "What about lighting
and pedestrian safety?" More information will be forthcoming at our next meeting. The
holiday lights will stay up as long as possible.
Casey Hagerty gave the Economic Development update: A bubble-tea shop, "Coco Tea
and Fruit Juice" will be going into the Firefly Moon space. StretchMed is still working
on coming in to its space. Abbott's is applying for applying for takeout window on
Mass Ave. They will need a special permit and permission from HDC. Dabin is closing
in June.
Fred Johnson described the COA proposal for free senior parking in the Center. Mike
suggested more publicity regarding LPD not enforcing meters when there is snow and
ice in the Center. Dick Brown noted that it added a layer of complexity to the parking
scheme. Fred suggested more communication with DPW. Jeff Lyon felt that there was
no real benefit to the Center, and supported more publicity on not enforcing the meters
(See the April, 2021 meeting for a prior discussion of this proposal.)
The Lexington Center Committee voted 10 to 0 to advise the Select Board to not
support the COA proposal for free senior parking.
Jesse Steigerwald described the background to LexSeeHer. The intention is to close the
gender gap in memorials in Lexington and place a memorial in view of the Minuteman
statue to honor the contribution of Lexington women (suffragettes and others.) Jesse
described the process of site selection. The corner of Merriam Street and Mass Ave is
favored by LexSeeHer. The area around the Cary Library is not suitable for a number of
reasons. Kamala Raj indicated that they seek a monument of a woman or women in the
Center (and not a rock.) Also this would be another draw for tourists. Pam Shadley
noted that while the overall concept is great, there is a movement around keeping not
burdening public historic open space and this might not be the best location. Howard
Levin suggested that this might be combined with the Hosmer House. Jesse told us that
there will be artist sketches and plans available in July. More information is available at
www.lexseeher.co���.
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Dawn McKenna: 'The issue here is who is to be honored, what it will look like and
where it will be." Tourism has an alternate location for the monument.
Jerry brought up the issue of whether we should change to kiosks in the municipal lots.
Fred said the concept is good, the issue is where, how many and what type. Dick said
"anything that simplifies parking downtown is good." Innessa supported kiosks but we
need the most up-to-date ones. Jeff asked about the reconfiguration of the municipal
lots and Frank Smith told us that we are two years out. Fred noted that we already have
plans and we should move this project forward. Both Jerry and Dawn supported having
the parking lots attendants function as information people. The consensus of the
committee is that we are in favor of kiosks. The PMG needs to discuss this.
Dawn proposed a turnaround and short-term parking for tourists in the Merriam Street
side of the Depot Lot. Fred noted that this would be a good solution for residents of
Merriam Street because many tourists drive up the street looking for a place to park and
turnaround.
Jerry reminded us to "be loyal and buy local." Our next meeting will be held on June 10.