HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-15 SB-min
Select Board Meeting
June 15, 2020
A remote participation meeting of the Lexington Select Board was called to order at 6:01 PM. on
Monday, June 15, 2020 via Zoom remote meeting services. Select Board members Mr. Lucente,
Chair; Mr. Pato; Ms. Barry; Ms. Hai and Mr. Sandeen were present, as well as Mr. Malloy,
Town Manager; Ms. Axtell, Deputy Town Manager; and Ms. Katzenback, Executive Clerk.
Mr. Lucente stated that the meeting was being held in accordance with Governor Baker’s March
12, 2020 Executive Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law to allow
remote participation during Massachusetts’ state of emergency due to the outbreak of Covid-19.
Mr. Lucente provided directions to members of the public, watching or listening via the Zoom
application, regarding the procedure for making a public comment.
Mr. Lucente 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. Hai:
The Tourism Committee hopes to have the Visitors Center open with limited capacity by
the mid-July. At the beginning of July, a kiosk/cart outside the building will be stocked
with orientation information. July is usually the busiest month for the Visitors Center.
Via Zoom, the Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (MAGIC)
Legislative Breakfast will take place this Thursday morning, June 18, 2020, at 9:00-10:30
a.m. Representatives for Lexington and surrounding communities will be in attendance.
For those who wish to participate, link to the breakfast is on the MAPC “MAGIC” site.
Mr. Pato:
The Vision 2020 Committee met Friday, June 12, 2020 to review a panel session that
took place at the beginning of April. The Vision 2020 Committee had not met since then
due to the pandemic. The Committee has drafted a detailed summary and review of
recommendations that arose from the panel discussion which will be presented to the
Select Board, School Committee, and Planning Board.
Also discussed was the next Town-wide survey, which would occur in 1½ years. It will
require a budget allocation; the Committee also asks the Town Manager to set up a
mechanism for technical assistance so survey responses can be collated.
Mr. Lucente:
The Fund for Lexington Committee met earlier in the day. Since March, the Fund has
received donations of $37,000 from Lexington residents to be used for Covid-19-related
issues.
Ms. Barry:
1
The Youth Commission is hoping to host a drive-in movie event at the Community
Center this summer.
The striping has begun on the Track at the Center Recreation Complex. No firm date for
reopening has been determined.
The gazebo in Hastings Park is being illuminated with blue and gold lighting for the
whole month of June to recognize this year’s graduating classes. The Cary Memorial
Building and the Cary Library will also be lit in blue and gold during the last weekend in
June.
Ms. Barry asked that a potential fall debt exclusion vote for Police Station construction
be put on the next Select Board agenda.
Mr. Sandeen:
The Transportation Advisory Committee said their public information sessions
previously scheduled for June 23, 2020 will have to be postponed for at least a week.
The Communications Advisory Committee is finalizing the LexMedia contract. The
contract will come before the Select Board prior to ratification by July 1, 2020.
Tonight, the Board of Health will discuss business and restaurant reopening plans that
were presented to the Select Board at the June 10, 2020 meeting.
The Permanent Building Committee will meet Thursday, June 18, 2020 to consider— and
hopefully finalize— some of the design proposals for the Police Station.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
In response to a question by Ms. Barry, Mr. Malloy reported that interview dates and questions
for Town Counsel candidates are being finalized. Mr. Malloy asked Select Board members to
submit specific questions to his office for inclusion in the interview script. A tentative date to
begin interviews is Tuesday, June 23. 2020.
ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
1. Covid-19 Update Discuss strategies, Implementation, and Community Response
Actions Related to Covid-19 Guidelines and Directives
As of today, there are 318 confirmed cases in Town (cumulative). Increases in new cases in
Lexington and state-wide numbers have been dropping significantly since the peak in May.
All Town Departments are beginning to return to work with partial staff numbers. Staff will
work 25% of the time in the Town offices and remotely 75% of the time during this first phase.
Town offices will not yet open to the public. The Library and Community Center are reviewing
reopening plans. The DPW and DPF both returned to full schedule on June 1, 2020. The Return
to Work Task Force is completing its review and has begun presenting the plan to the unions; the
Town has met with unions that had questions about the plan. The Town has engaged an
2
Industrial Hygienist to review plans and facilities and to make further recommendations. The
regular, Wednesday 8 a.m. conference calls with the Senior Management Team and Health
Officials will continue to review local case numbers and to discuss actions and issues/concerns.
Staff hope to begin working with restaurants in the coming week after the Board of Health
approves the reopening plan.
Ms. Hai said citizens should be given a sense of when Town buildings will re-open for business.
They also should be made aware that even though Town buildings remain closed, staff are still
available to assist.
Mr. Sandeen mentioned that health experts are finding that the primary mode of transmission for
COVID-19 is via aerosols. He asked if CARES Act funds are available to help the Town cover
costs of expenses such as upgrading ventilation systems and air filter replacements. He would
like to consider how to make more room for pedestrians on the sidewalks in the Center so that
social distancing is easier.
2. Award Sale of Bond and Bond Anticipation Notes
Carolyn Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager for Finance, presented information about the sale of
bonds and notes. The sale of $20.3M in bonds and $5.85M in notes took place on Wednesday,
June 10, 2020. The purpose of the bond sale was to continue financing the Town’s large
construction projects, most of which are payed for with excluded debt (Hastings School; Fire
Station; Lexington Children’s Place; Visitors Center). The specific purpose of the bond
anticipation notes is to keep the Town’s cash flow moving through the summer construction
season in preparation for a variety of projects (Center track and field construction; Water &
Sewer projects; sidewalks; School and Municipal technology purchases.)
There were ten competitive bids on the 15-year bond; the lowest bid was from Janney
Montgomery Scott LLC, who’s True Interest Cost (TIC) of 1.315% included a premium of
$2,485,290. This premium was applied to reduce the par value of the issuance on the day of the
sale, which resulted in a net resized issuance of $18,010,000 and net proceeds to the Town of
$20,495,290.
Five bids were submitted for the notes which will come due on February 12, 2021. The bids,
based on a calculation of the net interest cost (NIC), which takes into consideration the amount
of the issue, coupon rates and offering premium, ranged from a high of .907% to a low of .497%.
The low bidder was Piper Sandler & Co., who’s NIC of .497% included a premium of $46,262.
Members of the Select Board whole-heartedly endorsed the results of the sales and praised the
Town’s financial managers. Mr. Sandeen asked how much the more-favorable-than-expected
rates will save.
Ms. Kosnoff reported that a coupon rate of 4% was used in the modeling so a rate of 1.315% will
save millions over the life of the loan. However, the next year’s budget will be substantially the
same as before the lower rate was known because borrowing for the Visitors Center shifted from
a short-term note to a 15-year bond ahead of schedule, thus eliminating some budget flexibility
and accelerating the impact of interest payments by one year.
3
Upon a motion duly made and seconded and by roll call vote, the Select Board voted 5-0 that the
sale of the $18,010,000 General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2020 Bonds of the Town
dated June 25, 2020 (the “Bonds”) to Janney Montgomery Scott LLC at the price of
$20,328,114.38 and accrued interest is hereby approved and confirmed. The Bonds shall be
payable on June 15 of the years and in the principal amounts and bear interest at the respective
rates, as follows:
Interest Rate
Interest
Rate
Year Amount Year Amount
2021 $1,215,000 4.00% 2029 $1,200,000 4.00%
2022 1,215,000 4.00 2030 1,200,000 4.00
2023 1,205,000 4.00 2031 1,195,000 3.00
2024 1,200,000 4.00 2032 1,195,000 3.00
2025 1,200,000 4.00 2033 1,195,000 2.00
2026 1,200,000 4.00 2034 1,195,000 2.00
2027 1,200,000 4.00 2035 1,195,000 2.00
2028 1,200,000 4.00
And further: to approve the sale of $5,856,000 General Obligation Bond Anticipation Notes of
the Town dated June 25, 2020 and payable February 12, 2021 (the “Notes”) to Piper Sandler &
Co., at par and accrued interest, plus a premium of $46,262.40.
And further: that in connection with the marketing and sale of the Bonds, the preparation and
distribution of a Notice of Sale and Preliminary Official Statement dated June 3, 2020 and a final
Official Statement dated June 10, 2020 (the “Official Statement”), each in such form as may be
approved by the Town Treasurer, be and hereby are ratified, confirmed, approved and adopted.
And further: that in connection with the marketing and sale of the Notes, the preparation and
distribution of a Notice of Sale and Preliminary Official Statement dated June 3, 2020 and a final
Official Statement dated June 10, 2020, each in such form as may be approved by the Town
Treasurer, be and hereby are ratified, confirmed, approved and adopted.
And further: that the Bonds shall be subject to redemption, at the option of the Town, upon such
terms and conditions as are set forth in the Official Statement.
And further: that any certificates or documents relating to the Bonds (collectively, the
“Documents”), may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be regarded as an
original and all of which shall constitute one and the same document; delivery of an executed
counterpart of a signature page to a Document by electronic mail in a “.pdf” file or by other
electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart
signature page to such Document; and electronic signatures on any of the Documents shall be
deemed original signatures for the purposes of the Documents and all matters relating thereto,
having the same legal effect as original signatures.
4
And further: that the Town Treasurer and the Select Board be, and hereby are, authorized to
execute and deliver continuing and significant events disclosure undertakings in compliance with
SEC Rule 15c2-12 in such forms as may be approved by bond counsel to the Town, which
undertakings shall be incorporated by reference in the Bonds and Notes, as applicable, for the
benefit of the holders of the Bonds and Notes from time to time.
And further: that we authorize and direct the Town Treasurer to establish post issuance federal
tax compliance procedures and continuing disclosure procedures in such forms as the Town
Treasurer and bond counsel deem sufficient, or if such procedures are currently in place, to
review and update said procedures, in order to monitor and maintain the tax-exempt status of the
Bonds and Notes and to comply with relevant securities laws.
And further: that each member of the Select Board, the Town Clerk and the Town Treasurer be
and hereby are, authorized to take any and all such actions, and execute and deliver such
certificates, receipts or other documents as may be determined by them, or any of them, to be
necessary or convenient to carry into effect the provisions of the foregoing votes.
Copies of the bond and note documents will be available in the Select Board office for members
to sign, by Thursday at the latest, so that they can be returned to Bond Counsel by the end of the
week. In order for the contracts to be valid, at least three members of the Board must sign them.
3. Discuss Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Status
Carolyn Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager for Finance; and Jennifer Hewitt, Budget Officer;
made the presentation.
Ms. Kosnoff referred to the memo, also distributed to Town Meeting which outlines the Town’s
financial situation due to impacts from Covid-19. One of the major financial concerns is
Revenue loss but Ms. Kosnoff noted no extraordinary expenses due to the pandemic. In fact,
there have been fewer expenses because of the shutdown period.
Revenue loss includes significantly lower Local Receipts, such as from meals taxes and
hotel/motel taxes. Building permits remain strong and 99% of anticipated property taxes for the
quarter have been received. State Aid is uncertain; if it comes in on target, FY2020 Revenue
projections could still be solid.
FY2021 is a different story, however. Projections include diminished Local Receipts; a 1% loss
in Tax Levy Revenue; and substantially reduced expectations from State Aid, including Chapter
70 school aid. A conservative total lost Revenue projection is $6.89M. Ms. Kosnoff said it could
be lower but until State Aid is known, the Town should not make any drastic decisions. There
are a number of actions that could be taken to bridge the Revenue gap.
Ms. Kosnoff has asked Town Departments to curb non-essential spending for FY 2020 and
FY2021. Program Improvement Requests (PIRs) for the next budget cycle will be discouraged.
Some Capital projects that are not time-sensitive will be postponed.
Ms. Barry asked Ms. Kosnoff to comment on the impact these financial challenges will have on
the School budget. Ms. Kosnoff said she has no current information about the School budget but
she noted that the Town has been allocated just under $3M in CARES Act funding from the
5
State to address expenses in surplus of appropriation. At this juncture, these funds cannot be used
to cover Revenue losses. Current projections are that Lexington will not have $3M in Covid-19-
related School expenses but Ms. Kosnoff said restrictions for re-opening schools in the fall are
stringent and could therefore cause these funds to be expended.
Mr. Malloy said Municipal and School administrations have been meeting together to develop
these financial memos. The Schools have indicated they are starting to grapple with what the
new budget will look like; by the next iteration of the memo, there will be a better sense of what
the future holds.
Ms. Hai asked when a financial Summit should be scheduled to discuss the particulars with
everyone at the same table. Ms. Kosnoff said before a Summit is scheduled—most likely in early
September— she intends to provide an update to the current memo, probably at the end of June
2020 beginning of FY2021. One of the most crucial pieces of information is the State budget.
Mr. Pato suggested that the Town have a policy summit, sometime during the summer, to discuss
how to handle the economic impacts of Covid on Lexington’s residents and commercial partners.
4. Discuss Creating a 20 mph Safety Zone in the Area of Lexington Center
Mr. Malloy, Town Manager; and Sheila Page, Assistant Planning Director, reported that the
Traffic Safety Group (TSG) has developed this proposal with Town Engineering in advance
submitting the speed changes to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
This is the second draft to come before the Select Board. Additional input is requested.
The proposal:
The Safety Zone would encompass these areas:
Massachusetts Avenue From Harrington Road to Woburn Street 20 MPH Safety Zone
Bedford Street From Harrington Road to Massachusetts Avenue 20 MPH Safety Zone
Hancock Street From Bikeway Crossing to Bedford Street 20 MPH Safety Zone
Meriam Street From Bikeway Crossing to Massachusetts Avenue 20 MPH Safety Zone
Waltham Street From Massachusetts Avenue to Vinebrook Road 20 MPH Safety Zone
Woburn Street From Hayes Lane to Massachusetts Avenue 20 MPH Safety Zone
Ms. Barry asked why Grant Street and Fletcher Avenue are not included. Ms. Page said the TSG
discussed the parameters at length and tried to be judicious. Ultimately, it did not include these
two streets because they have less traffic and fewer pedestrians, unlike the other, more
commercial streets in the proposal.
Ms. Barry asked what the effective date would be and how the change would be communicated
to the larger community. Ms. Page said that effective date would be when the proposal was
signed by the Select Board. Paperwork must be submitted to MassDOT but there is no State
approval process. Mr. Malloy approved of following the same communication procedures used
when the town-wide speed limit was lowered to 25 mph.
Mr. Sandeen asked if Harrington Road could be included in the 20 mph zone. Ms. Page
answered that if the Board prefers, it can be.
6
Mr. Sandeen asked if the primary goal for the lowered limit was safety. Ms. Page said safety is
the primary purpose; statistically, more pedestrians are hit by vehicles when speed limits are
higher. Additionally, in a previous parking study, it was shown that people viewed crossing
Massachusetts Avenue as a factor when choosing where to park. Mr. Sandeen asked what data
we have from other towns on the effectiveness of reducing speed limits to 20 mph. Ms. Page said
that MassDOT does not yet have data on whether lowering the speed limit to 20 mph achieves
safety goals.
Ms. Hai noted that the Center Committee was unaware that this question was coming before the
Select Board tonight. Ms. Hai said she would prefer the lower speed zone to end at the Slocum
Road crosswalk, or at Hunt Road, rather than as proposed, right at the busy Woburn Street
intersection. She noted that, to discourage speeding, end of zone signage should clarify that the
limit changes from 20 mph to 25 mph.
Mr. Pato agreed that ending the zone at Slocum Road is better. He agreed that Harrington Road
should be included. He added that drivers coming onto Massachusetts Avenue from Clarke Street
and Fletcher Avenue should be alerted they are entering a 20 mph zone.
Mr. Lucente suggested the Center Streetscape project would provide a good opportunity to make
the speed limit change, rather than going ahead with it now. The Center Streetscape project is
also intended to improve safety and the effects of making those changes have not yet been
evaluated.
David Kanter, 48 Fifer Lane, asked why there is a need for an “end 20 mph zone” sign if a 25
mph sign would suffice. Ms. Page said beginning and end speed zone signs are required and
signs for the town-wide 25 mph limit are posted only at the town borders, not throughout town.
The Board postponed a vote on the motion to wait for feedback from the Center Committee.
Members concurred, however, that the Board should move ahead once the feedback was
obtained. Members also concurred that the eastern end of the safety zone should extend past
Woburn Street to Slocum Road.
5. Approve Amendment to the Regional Housing Services Office Agreement
Mr. Malloy said the amendment is intended to provide a 90-day extension to the current
agreement to provide more time to discuss potential changes to the next 3-year contract with the
RHSO with participating members.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded and by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve
the agreement between the Town of Lexington and the Regional Housing Services Office for 90
days as attached.
6. Review Determination of Tree Hearing—497 Concord Avenue
Chris Filadoro, Superintendent of Public Grounds/Tree Warden; and Dave Pinsonnault, Director
of Public Works were present for the item.
Mr. Filadoro said hearings have been held to determine whether to remove or retain a 42” oak
near a proposed emergency access driveway to the Cotting School. Meetings were held at the
site. Participants included representatives from the School, the architect for the Cotting School
project, members of the Tree Committee, and Town staff. An arborist was consulted to find a
7
way to save the tree by protecting the root system. However, site lines from the driveway
entering the roadway would not meet the American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (AASHTO) safety standard. No consensus has been reached on what to
do.
Mr. Lucente said he received a lot of feedback on this issue right before the meeting and he is not
yet sure how to move forward.
Mr. Sandeen, who participated in the tree meetings as the Select Board’s liaison, reported that
the situation is still evolving. Recently one of the abutters offered to provide an easement so the
driveway can be relocated and the tree could be saved, while still preserving Fire access to the
site and at no additional cost to the school. Mr. Sandeen believes action should be delayed
pending further developments.
Ms. Hai said she is not ready to make a decision given the recent information and lack of clarity.
Ms. Barry noted that the Cotting School’s letter to the Select Board states that the school has
received no direct contact from the abutter. Ms. Barry agreed that she is not ready to decide the
fate of the tree.
Mr. Pato concurred and asked what the site line standard is for a driveway versus a roadway. He
would like to save the tree if possible and asked the parties to come together to reach a
conclusion.
Mr. Lucente said another layer of confusion is the dollar amount of the tree removal mitigation.
He asked for a summary of the Planning Board meeting at which the tree was discussed.
Mr. Sandeen reported that at the meeting, the Cotting School made a presentation, the proponent
withdrew its proposal, and no action was taken. Some Planning Board members expressed a
desire to save the tree.
Charles Hornig, Planning Board Vice Chair, said the reason for the meeting was because the
Cotting School wanted to make a slight change in the approved driveway. The school did not
propose that the tree could be saved if the driveway stayed where it was originally located or
moved. The revised plan would save some maples trees on the west side of the driveway but
Planning Board members were more interested in saving the older, bigger oak.
Gerry Paul, Tree Committee Chair, reported per discussion with Town Counsel, that the full
value of the oak cannot be recovered through mitigation but the $39,850 recommended by Mr.
Pinsonnault is acceptable. Mr. Paul said if the amount can be agreed upon, the remaining
question is whether the oak can be salvaged. Mr. Paul said the AASHTO standard treats
driveway and roadway sightlines differently, if treating them the same is not possible under the
circumstances. Mr. Paul recommended that the tree not be removed at this time and that the
matter return to the Planning Board for further consideration. The Tree Committee believes if
care is taken, the oak’s deep taproot will support survival even if the surrounding ground is
disturbed.
Megan Buczynski, Principal, P.E., Civil Engineer at Activitas, said the problem is the 14½ -foot
setback required for the driveway. Given the speed limit on the street (35 mph), a longer
sightline is needed. Even if the street were to have a school zone speed limit (20 mph), the
sightline distance is not adequate. Even if the easement is granted by the abutter, the few
8
additional feet it would not be enough. The School is willing to agree to the proposed mitigation
amount and will replace removed maple trees with a better species. Ms. Buczynski trusts the
opinion of the Cotting School’s traffic engineer and does not want to propose an alternative that
is unsafe.
Mr. Filadoro confirmed that the easement offers only a couple of feet. He pointed out that if the
driveway was shifted, 5 or 6 other trees would have come down.
Mr. Lucente noted the outpouring of neighborhood feeling about saving the oak. He thanked the
Cotting School for its patience and partnership in trying to sort out the issue. With so much new
information— and lack of resolution on some of the points—the Board opted to postpone a vote.
Gloria Bloom, 17 Loring Road, reported that sightlines from an existing Cotting School
driveway already offer poor visibility. Since the school cites safety in the matter of the oak, she
hopes it will remedy existing safety issues as well. Ms. Bloom said AASHTO guidelines are
forgiving and can also be waived. An 80-year-old oak will take a long time to replace.
Sharon Cerny, 1 Barberry Road, noted that a lower-than-standard sightline already exists
between the existing Cotting School driveway and Barberry Road. She reported that AASHTO
guidelines allow waivers when ideals cannot be met. In an informal survey of Concord Avenue
from Spring Street to the Belmont line, there are many examples. The average setback in this
stretch of road was 9 ½ feet. The oak tree driveway would have a 12 foot setback.
Brigit Irish, COO of Cotting School, said the school has spent a lot of time and effort dealing
with this matter. The school engaged consultants to come up with a solution but so far nothing
has addressed concerns. Ms. Irish stated it, originally, it was the Planning Board that requested
the tree be removed to provide an emergency vehicle access way. She said the school would
provide whatever additional information is needed for the Board to make a decision.
Ms. Hai asked whether locating a driveway so close to the tree would result in a slow death. If
the tree was lost in this manner, the mitigation funds would also be lost. Mr. Filadoro will
contact the arborist about this.
The item was tabled until the June 29, 2020 Select Board meeting.
Mr. Lucente called a brief recess at 7:51 pm. The meeting was reconvened at 7:57 p.m.
7. Hosmer House Request for Proposal
Mr. Malloy presented information about the proposed sale and removal of the Hosmer House.
The RFP has been vetted by the working group which included members from the Select Board,
Dept of Public Facilities, Historic District Commission, Housing Partnership Board, CPC,
Historic Commission and LexHab.
The RFP due dates have not been filled in yet. Liz Mancini, Purchasing Director will insert those
once the Preservation Restriction language has been added by Town Counsel. There are statutory
minimums for advertising in the Central Register.
The deed restriction has been revised to a preservation restriction since the house is being sold as
personal property and not as real estate. This will require state approval, but Town Counsel has
advised that the RFP can go out to bid and the preservation restriction can be sought
concurrently. The Town reserves the right to reject any and all bids. The matter this will come
9
back before the Select Board for final consideration. A Plan B discussion will take place to
decide what to do if there are no bidders.
Ms. Hai believes if more than one bidder comes forward, the Town will need to arrange for more
than one tour of the house, due to the confined interior spaces.
Avram Baskin, 43 Carville Avenue, hopes that someone will come forward to buy the house but,
barring that, the Town should not preserve it.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded and by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve
the RFP for the sale and moving of the Hosmer House and further to authorize the Town
Manager to advertise the sale, subject to Town Counsel providing a preservation restriction for
historic preservation.
8. Discuss Next Steps for Social and Racial Equity Initiatives
Ms. Barry stated that she will participate in this item as long as the Police Department is not
being discussed. In the event they are discussed, she will recuse herself because her husband
works for the Town as a Police Officer.
M. Malloy reported that, since the last meeting, he has not been able to move forward with plans
to identify a facilitator that would convene a community conversation. He continues to work on
that and other action items, such as having a policy and bylaw audit done by a third party and
forming a task force.
He has had time to meet with the Police Chief and reps from the two Police unions to discuss the
ongoing national debate on the use of excessive force. Mr. Malloy noted that Lexington’s police
department has no history of using excessive force and he reported that the Police Department
wants to be part of the community discussion. The Police Department believes they have a
mutually supportive relationship with the community.
Ms. Malloy read in full a statement from the Police Officers Union, saying his office had
received a similar letter from the Police Supervisors Union.
Mr. Malloy said he hopes to advance the issue on all fronts by the June 29, 2020 Board meeting.
Mr. Sandeen said the Board should discuss scope and whether we are considering holding one
conversation or multiple conversations. For example: should the initiative include, as some
residents have asked, investigation into Police policies? Racial justice? The proposed Police
firing range? What experts need to be brought in to speak? He believes decisions should be made
on data.
Mr. Lucente said he is thinking in terms of multiple conversations, not just one larger
conversation.
Ms. Hai recommended the Racial Equity And Leadership (REAL) program from the National
League of Cities that addresses many subjects inherent in the larger issue. Arlington participates
in the program. She believes the Board should talk about adding a Diversity Equity and Inclusion
(DEI) officer and she wants there to be a review of Town policies.
Mr. Pato noted that one of the Select Board’s long-term goals has been ensuring that Lexington
is welcoming to all. A DEI officer might help focus the steps to be taken to achieve the goal.
10
Ms. Barry agrees that the conversation should have multiple parts and should be facilitated. She
hopes that a target date for the first conversation can be chosen. The issue needs to be worked on
every day, not briefly dealt with. She would like a mission statement developed and asked that
the item of Discuss Next Steps for Social and Racial Equity Initiatives be on the agenda at every
Select Board meeting, at least for a check-in if not for a lengthy update meeting.
Mr. Malloy said he would work on a draft of what the different components of a conversation
would be. He will report his progress at the next meeting.
Mona Roy, Chair of the Human Rights Committee; and Tanya Gisolfi, Vice Chair, hope that
Lexington will join the League of Cities REAL program. Although the matter began as a police
issue, there are other areas of equity that should be discussed. Ms. Roy supports many of the
ideas put forward by the Select Board but would like to understand the purpose of a task force,
saying the HRC stands ready to help. Ms. Gisolfi said facilitation of community conversations is
crucial; the facilitator should be someone other than a Lexington resident.
Avram Baskin, 43 Carville Avenue, agreed that data is important but based on comments he has
received from other Town Meeting Members, he believes data alone will not be enough to
resolve the issues. He would like to find a way to get the Police letters out to the public, and
similarly the letters from Lexington clergy that are circulating among subsets of the community.
Police Chief Mark Corr said he is very proud of his police staff and emphasized that the Police
want to be part of a full-scope, transparent conversation that includes helping people understand
what the Police do.
Steve Kaufman, Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member, said he has received concerned comments
from constituents about Police defunding. Even though Lexington police may not be culpable,
he believes people need a place to voice their dissatisfaction about these issues. He endorses the
concept of having a community meeting at which a vision for policing in Lexington can be
developed. He believes that standards should support the vision and that people first have to
agree on the vision. He believes there should be clear consequences for Police who deviate from
community standards.
Sean Osborne, former Chair of the Human Rights Committee, thanked the Board for signing the
Racial Equity Pledge. He is concerned that the local and national discussions on these issues
always seem to start with a defense of the Police. Starting with a defensive stance silences those
who dissent, even before the conversation begins. Mr. Osborne emphasized that the Police work
for the community and the community should establish what it wants from a Police department.
He believes a “future of policing” task force is needed, similar to a Vision 2020 Committee. He
agrees with the concept of hiring a DEI officer but thinks of it as a Diversity Officer that would
focus on diversity hiring and on providing services for diverse populations. He likes the idea of
re-convening the Police Policy Review Task Force.
Bridger McGaw, Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member, approves of drawing on outside expertise to
solve identified community problems. Actionable results should come out of these multiple
conversations.
Mr. Lucente said this is a top priority and an ongoing Select Board goal.
9. Review Request for Car Parade—Lexington Goes Purple
11
The DPW and Police have reviewed this request and have no objections. Select Board members
supported delegating future such requests to the Chief of Police during the pandemic. Ms. Hai asked
that the Board be informed about parades that have been approved.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded and by roll call, the Select Board vote 5-0 to approve
the request from Lexington Goes Purple to hold a Lexington Goes Purple Car Parade on Thursday,
June 18, as outlined in the request letter dated June 5, 2020. It was further approved that such requests
be delegated to the Chief of Police during the state of emergency.
10. Select Board Committee Appointments/Reappointments
Mr. Lucente recused himself for one of the motions as his mother is a nominee for reappointment
to the Town Celebrations Committee. Ms. Hai assumed the role of Chair.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded and by roll call, the Select Board voted 4-0 to reappoint
Sondra Lucente and Lorain Marquis to the Town Celebrations Committee for a term set to expire
on June 30, 2023.
Mr. Lucente resumed the role of Chair.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded and by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 to reappoint
Mike Barrett and Hank Manz to the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission for a three-year term
set to expire on June 30, 2023.
Upon a motion duly made and by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 to appoint Geetha Padaki
to the Town Celebrations Committee for a term to expire on June 30, 2023
Upon a motion duly made and seconded and by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 to reappoint
William "Glen" Bassett, Suzanne Caton, Stephen Cole, Jr., Wei Ding, Mary Hutton, Gresh
Lattimore, Wayne Miller, Rita Pandey, Ashley Rooney, Susan Stering, and Samuel Zales to the
Town Celebrations Subcommittee for a term set to expire on June 30, 2021.
Upon a motion duly made and by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 to reappoint Kim
Katzenback as Executive Clerk to the Select Board for a one-year term ending on June 30, 2021.
Upon a motion duly made and by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 to reappoint Police Chief
Mark Corr as Keeper of the Lockup for a one-year term ending on June 30, 2021.
The Board discussed the appointment to the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School
Committee and whether to defer and, instead, re-open the call for volunteers. Mr. Pato reported a
lack of awareness among members of the Lexington School Committee re: the vacancy and
noted that the position is significant. Although there is only one applicant, Mr. Pato believes
there may be more interest in the position.
After discussion of the particulars, including how the open position had been advertised, Board
members decided move ahead with a vote on appointment.
12
Upon a motion duly made and by roll call, the Select Board voted 4-1 to appoint Judith Crocker
as the Lexington representative to the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School
Committee for a three-year term to be effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023.
11. Discuss Select Board Liaison Assignments
This item was tabled to be taken up at a later date.
12. Approve Fiscal Year 2021 Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Non-Represented Employees
Ms. Barry recused herself as her husband is employed by the Town.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded and by roll call, the Select Board vote 4-0 to approve a 2
percent cost-of-living adjustment for non-represented employees for fiscal year 2021, effective
July 1, 2020.
Ms. Barry rejoined the meeting.
13. Town Manager Committee Reappointments
Upon a motion duly made and seconded and by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve
the Town Manager's re-appointment of Elizabeth Borghesani, Ellen Cameron, Camille Goodwin
and Bonnie Teitleman-Levin to the Council on Aging and Lisah Rhodes to the Recreation
Committee. All nominees’ ethics trainings are up to date.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Water & Sewer Commitments & Adjustments
Upon a motion duly made and seconded and by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve
these Water & Sewer Commitments and Adjustments:
Water & Sewer Commitment Section 1 $ 1,975,324.33
Water & Sewer Commitment Section 2 $ 1,943,500.95
Water & Sewer Commitment Section 3 $ 3,839,184.96
Water & Sewer Finals Nov 2019 $ 26,538.22
Water & Sewer Finals Dec 2019 $ 10,168.12
Water & Sewer Finals Jan 2020 $ 50,707.46
Water & Sewer Finals Feb 2020 $ 28,930.39
Water & Sewer Finals Mar 2020 $ 7,494.06
Water & Sewer Finals Apr 2020 $ 9,992.76
Water & Sewer Finals May 2020 $ 5,108.53
And a Water & Sewer Adjustments per WSAB 5/21/20 $(5,022.84)
ADJOURN
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 by roll call to adjourn the
meeting at 9:31p.m.
A true record; Attest:
13
Kim Siebert
Recording Secretary
14