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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-21-LCC-min Town of Lexington Lexington Center Committee Minutes for the October 21, 2021 meeting of the Lexington Center Committee. Committee members present: Richard Brown, Michael Boudett, Katherine Huang, Frederic Johnson, Pamela Lyons, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (chair), Pamela Shadley Liaisons present: Doug Lucente (Select Board), Frank Smith (Capital Expenditures Committee), Casey Hagerty (Economic Development), Erin Sandler-Bathe (Chamber of Commerce), Dawn McKenna (Tourism Committee), Dave Pinsonneault, DPW, John Livsey (Chief Engineer, DPW) Guests: Jon Wakelin, Meg Van Nostrand, Eric Ballard The meeting began with Jerry introducing three Lexington residents who are interested in appointment to the committee. Jon, Meg and Eric introduced themselves and discussed their interest in the committee. Dave Pinsonneault gave the DPW update: there have been increased cleanups (sweeping and trash) in the Center. Dawn McKenna inquired about signage for temporary (15 minute, six spaces) tourist parking and Merriam Street turnaround in the Depot parking lot. This lot is now pay by phone. Jerry asked about replacing the dimming street light bulbs. Dave will be meeting with the Grain Mill Alley architect soon and bids will be going out this winter with work to begin after Patriot's Day. John Livsey told us that the concrete sidewalks in front of the Cary Library and on Waltham Street were completed and areas with "low concrete" are where brick is going in. There have been all kinds of obstacles on the stretch between Grant Street and Edison Way. All of the prepped up brick areas will get done beginning November 1. Expect to be completed during Thanksgiving week. Bricklayers coming in from Pennsylvania. Project will be closed down and buttoned up for winter. No temporary thingies in place. Fred asked about soil for trees. All good. Re: Cary Hall -brick near the Hall and concrete with brick trim along the Mass Ave sidewalk. Pam S. and Erin complemented DPW on the progress and running of the Project. Casey gave the Economic Development Update: Maxima (new bookstore) has opened up; retail is open in Omar's new space, Anisoptera and Coco are close to opening, Panera is going out, something that must remain unspoken is coming in, Panera's lease imposed lots of restrictions on the old Haircuttery space, Bertucci's is struggling due to lack of staff. Jerry asked about Dabin—important to squelch rumors. Starbucks closed due to lack of staff. There's some interest in the old Omar's space. The interior of Sanyo needs work. Erin noted that the Center for Islamic Studies is looking for cafe and community space in the Center. Jerry reminded us of the cyclical nature of businesses and vacancies in the Center. Doug told us that Lexington is receiving nine million dollars in ABPA funds. The cash is good through 2024. Doug asked us to think and get in engaged. Erin talked about the Town doing programing as is done in other municipalities. Dawn reminded us Revolutionary Revelry that was going on for six years prior to the pandemic. ABPA funding is primarily for economic development. Dick asked how we can get tourists to come into the Center. (At this point the secretary had to leave the meeting for five minutes due to hazardous construction next door.) We returned to the perennial issue of the Hosmer House. Someone (Dick?) suggested that the HH be moved to Fletcher Park to activate that end of the Center and to get tourists to walk through the entire Center. Fred let us know that the Historical Society has a new executive director and expressed his hope that the new director would do more to use that building to draw people into the Center. Pam S. noted that pay-by-phone had a poor rollout. Fred summarized his view of the senior parking pilot program and potential negative effects on parking in the Center. Pam L. said a few words about the proposal for a bus shelter in Depot Square. The Center Committee voted seven to zero to approve the minutes of the September 12th,2021 meeting.