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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-16 SB-min Select Board Meeting November 16, 2021 A remote participation meeting of the Lexington Select Board was called to order at 6:01 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 via Zoom remote meeting services. Ms. Hai, Chair; Mr. Lucente; Vice Chair, Mr. Pato, Ms. Barry, and Mr. Sandeen were present, as well as Mr. Malloy, Town Manager; Ms. Axtell, Deputy Town Manager; 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. Ms. Hai provided directions to members of the public watching or 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. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Town Manager Committee Appointments To approve the Town Manager's appointment of John Rossi to the Commission on Disability for a 3-year term. DOCUMENTS: John Rossi 2. Select Board Committee Resignation To accept the resignation of Taylor Singh from the Special Permit Residential Development (SPRD) Zoning Bylaw Amendment Ad Hoc Committee effective immediately. DOCUMENTS: Resignation Letter - T. Singh VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 by roll call to approve Consent Agenda items 1 & 2 ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION 1. Special Town Meeting 2021-1 Article Positions / Discussion Ms. Hai noted that Article 4: Amend FY2022 Operating Enterprise and CPA Budgets, Article 7: Appropriate for Westview Cemetery Building Construction, and Article 17: Amend Zoning Bylaw – Sustainable Design for Hartwell Avenue (Citizen Petition), are up for discussion tonight at Special Town Meeting. The Board reviewed its positions on Article 4: Amend FY2022 Operating Enterprise and CPA Budgets – all in favor. The Board reviewed its positions on Article 7: Appropriate for Westview Cemetery Building Construction – all in favor. The Board reviewed its positions on Article 17: Amend Zoning Bylaw – Sustainable Design for Hartwell Avenue (Citizen Petition) – 4 in favor, 1 wait. Ms. Hai noted that Article 5: Appropriate for Police Station Architectural Design and Swing Space Construction, Article 9: Amend General Bylaw- Mount Independence Historic District, and possibly Article 3: Establish, Dissolve and Appropriate To and From Specified Stabilization Funds, will be discussed tomorrow night at Special Town Meeting. In regard to Article 5: Appropriate for Police Station Architectural Design and Swing Space Construction, the Board unanimously agrees to support the project itself. Last week, the Board agreed to split the vote for this item into two motions: a. $255,000 be appropriated for design, engineering, and architectural services, including production of construction documents, at 1575 Massachusetts Avenue, and b. $615,000 be appropriated for the construction phase of a temporary police station to be located at 173 Bedford Street in Lexington Mr. Lucente noted concern with how and to what extent the Board’s minority opinions are reported. Mr. Pato also noted that he would like the Board to revisit how reports for Town Meeting are written in a larger context at a future meeting. Ms. Hai stated that the swing space will be required, as part of this project, for some period of time. The proposed use was the intended purpose of purchasing the building initially. There is a fiscal urgency that is relieved by carrying out this process now. Town and community input regarding debt exclusion on the project will still be sought. Mr. Lucente noted that the 9-1-1 system needs a 6-month lead time to be moved. Flexibility is needed for this municipal project. Mr. Pato concurred that getting bids out early and securing responses to RFPs is fiscally prudent for this project. The Board will still listen to voters regarding debt exclusion and funding of the Police Station. If the Town does not agree with the process laid out for this project, alternatives will need to be discussed. Ms. Barry stated that she still has a problem with the timing of this project and is not in favor of part b. In response to a question from Ms. Barry regarding when the swing space would be ready for occupancy, Mr. Malloy stated that he would need to look into this. He stated that, if not approved at Special Town Meeting, this project would be setback approximately 6 months. Estimating a 4% monthly inflation rate, this would add approximately $636,000 to the project total. Ms. Barry asked what will happen with the 9-1-1 system if debt exclusion fails at Town Meeting. She noted that there might be overtime costs associated if the 9-1-1 system is located at 173 Bedford Street, while the employees who generally oversee the system are located in a different building. She stated her concern that the presentation of this Article at Special Town Meeting does not update the public on the scope of the overall project. She asked who plans to run the debt exclusion campaign. Mr. Sandeen agreed that it is the Board’s fiduciary responsibility to pursue the project at this time. He noted that delaying this project would leave employees in the existing Police Station building for possibly an additional year. Ms. Hai noted that there is a proposed amendment to this Article, to remove part b in its entirety. Dawn McKenna, Precinct 6 Town Meeting member, spoke to her proposed amendment. She explained that she believes the public needs to have a chance to weigh-in on this project. She believes that moving forward with this project now goes against the way other projects have been pursued. She also noted that there is no staffing in place for the debt exclusion. The Board reviewed its positions on the amendment to Article 5: Mr. Lucente – no; Mr. Pato – no; Ms. Barry – wait; Ms. Hai – no. In response to a question from Mr. Sandeen, Mr. Malloy stated that he would recommend going forward with the project as presented. Mr. Sandeen noted that he is also a no vote on the amendment. The Board reviewed its positions on Article 9: Amend General Bylaw- Mount Independence Historic District – all waits. The Board reviewed its positions on Article 10: Reducing Noise From Landscape Maintenance Equipment. Ms. Hai noted that she is changing her vote from a yes, to a wait. Mr. Sandeen explained that the Noise Advisory Committee met and is not recommending the Kaufman amendment to this Article. Ms. Barry stated that she would like to hear directly from Mr. David Pinsonneault, DPW Director, on this Article. It was noted that Mr. Pinsonneault will hopefully be in attendance tomorrow evening to discuss this item. The Board will next meet tomorrow night, November 17, 2021, at 6pm, prior to Special Town Meeting. DOCUMENTS: Moderator's Proposed Schedule for STM Articles (revised 11/15/21), STM 2021-1 Position Chart (as of 11/9/21 SB mtg), CEC Supplemental Report to STM 2021-1 - Article 5 ADOURN Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 to adjourn the meeting at 6:43 p.m. A true record; Attest: Kristan Patenaude Recording Secretary