HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-25-SLC-minSustainable Lexington Committee
Minutes of Meeting of October 25, 2022
A meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee (SLC) was held by Zoom conference. A
quorum of at least five was present throughout.
Members Present: Cindy Arens (chair), Celis Brisbin, Paul Chernick, Rick Reibstein,
Todd Rhodes (vice-chair), Dan Voss, Charlie Wyman
Members Absent: Lin Jensen
Staff Present: Maggie Peard
Other Attendees: Joe Pato (Select Board), Ricki Pappo (LexCAN), Tanay Dalmia
(SustainabLY), Atreyi Basu (SustainabLY), Terri Ford (Greatland),
Bryan Premont (SCB), Kristen Brozowski (Buro Happold), Andy
Joynt, Yolanda Taylor, Calvin Thompson, Rob Miller, Jim Morrison,
Jim Li, Steve Kaufman, Tina McBride, Marcia Gens, Jeanne Krieger,
Hien Nguyen
The meeting was called to order at 6:06 pm. Cindy referenced the opening statement requested
by the Town Clerk, and all members present responded that they could hear.
Approval of past meeting minutes. The minutes of September 27 were approved as written.
Comments from residents; emails to committee mailbox; new business. None.
12 Hartwell Ave Sustainability Highlights. Teri Ford, Director of Development for Greatland
Partners, introduced their firm. They are owners of 1050 Waltham, 10 Maguire Road, and four
buildings on Hartwell, some acquired quite recently. Tonight three members of their team came
to introduce the committee to their proposal for 12 Hartwell. Bryan Premont and Kristen
Brozowski walked us briefly through the sustainability measures they have proposed for the
development. The development consists of 276,000 gross square feet, a new lab building with
retail on the ground floor. They are preserving and restoring natural areas on site, with a
pedestrian path along the perimeter. They have designed the building to be 98% electric.
Cindy asked about parking spaces and whether the numbers (680 in garage, 30 at grade) will
trigger MEPA review. As part of their landscaping they will remove invasives and use more
native plants. Dan asked about the opportunity for solar on the lab building as well as on the
garage, mentioning what others have achieved in Watertown. Dan suggested the committee send
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Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of October 25, 2022
notes to the Planning Board, which will hold a public hearing on November 16; Cindy and Dan
will coordinate.
Open committee position, candidate self-introductions and process for recommendation.
Cindy explained that we have had six applications for the open committee position. Five are with
us this evening, and she asked each to introduce themselves. Jim Morrison, Yolanda Taylor,
Steve Kaufman, Jim Li, and Andy Joynt all spoke briefly. Cindy invited committee members to
provide her with feedback, and she will send our input to Joe and Stacey, noting that ultimately
it’s the Select Board’s decision. Todd reminded those present that they don’t have to be
committee members to participate and that many community members regularly attend and
participate.
SustainabLY update. Atreyi reported that they have divided into groups for each of their two
projects (library board and education program for elementary schoolers), and will complete an
application to the Cary Teams Lead the Way program for the former. Tanay explained that the
application might take some time and they might be able to take something on in the interim.
Ricki mentioned the Estabrook Science Fair. Tanay asked about the status of the Community
Choice video, which he recorded a segment for; Maggie replied that it’s being edited now and
will be released soon.
Sustainability & Resilience Officer updates.
•Zero-waste task force and food waste composting. Maggie reported that the Zero waste plan
is in the consultant’s court, and staff will be meeting with them later this week. On the
composting front, they are looking at options for a pilot program and have met with Black
Earth at Hartwell to explore what a Black Earth facility there would look like. Black Earth’s
initial proposal was not a good fit, and they are exploring what might offer better integration
into existing Hartwell operations. The possibility of a pilot program in just one precinct and
phasing up over time is being discussed. Another model is to subsidize Black Earth, perhaps
$30/household. There is some flexibility in the DPW budget to start with something small. In
response to a question from Todd, Cindy explained that the waste reduction task force will
serve as a strong advocate for a compost program.
•BEU-D: Staff is working with the software and preparing guidance on the reporting process
to be sent out early next year to those subject to the new by-law.
•Climate Action Plan: Meetings with consultant KLA are continuing. KLA is putting together
an emissions baseline for Lexington as a starting point for in-depth reduction analyses. There
is a small team working on branding, and work is beginning on a community engagement
plan
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Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of October 25, 2022
•Town heat pump promotion program with Abode. Eight volunteer energy advisers have been
selected and will start the eight-hour training program next week; they will then be available
to advise residents on how to transition to heat pumps. The program will formally launch in
early December. In response to a question from Todd about outreach, Maggie explained that
they have been planning more general announcements but will also look at a more targeted
approach.
•Special Town Meeting Warrant Article 13 - Technical updates to the Fossil-Fuel Free General
Bylaw.; The amendments will come before the Fall Town Meeting to bring the by-law into
line with language in the state climate bill to streamline the process of being accepted as one
of ten communities in the demonstration program. Details were reviewed at the last meeting.
•MEPA. Maggie reported that she has shared Cindy’s summary document about MEPA
jurisdiction over major new developments (and MEPA’s willingness to press for hybrid
energy systems) with key town staff in departments overseeing development (Planning,
Building, etc.).
•Existing Building Performance Operations Policy. Maggie reported that she has been
working on a set of metrics for pest management and landscaping with input from Rick,
Charlie, and Nancy Sofen, and will be meeting with Mike Cronin next week. There was
follow-up discussion about indoor air quality and whether the town has sufficient monitoring
systems in place or should seek additional funding (which might come from ARPA funds).
The Select Board has asked for more information to better understand the adequacy of
existing systems.
Discussion of noise bylaw and enforcement of the leaf blower rules. Rick explained that current
enforcement responsibility is with the police, which doesn’t work well. Washington, D.C.
accepts citizens’ affidavits, and repeated complaints are followed up. We need a better system in
Lexington, which then needs to be communicated to residents. Maggie reported that Rep.
Ciccolo has secured $75,000 to help landscapers transition to electric equipment, which will
need to be used within a year or so. Joe noted that the bylaw holds both the landscaper and the
property owner responsible, comparable to similar activities like snowplows leaving snow in the
street. All members of the Noise Advisory Committee have resigned, so that committee is not in
a position to take a lead on this. Celis noted that almost all landscapers pass through Hartwell
and that Dan on the staff there is doing a very good job of getting the word out, and that Maggie
might want to connect with him.
Assessment of the Town's solar potential and discussion of approaches to promote solar
development without impacting trees and natural areas. Dan explained that in trying to assess the
potential for solar on town-owned land across town, he started with buildings, parking lots and
other impervious surfaces. A rough estimate is that there is the potential for an additional 9-10
MW of generating potential in town without touching open space (on top of the 5+/-MW now in
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Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of October 25, 2022
place); beyond that there is not a lot of opportunity without cutting down trees. One takeaway is
that we need to take maximum advantage of every redevelopment site; we don’t have the luxury
of saying we can offset energy use at a new building by putting solar “elsewhere.” Maggie
reported that she discussed this kind of analysis with Town Manager Jim Malloy, who is very
interested.
Some discussion followed. One lesson is to make sure we don’t have another situation like 201
Bedford where the roof is not capable of supporting solar, though Joe noted that it was sufficient
at the time of construction but then the building code changed. Questions were asked about other
properties in town like leased buildings (Adams and Munroe), the possibility of a renewed
solarize program for residences or a Medford-like program for businesses, and the possibility of
community solar.
Integrated Building Construction and Design Policy (follow on from last month's discussion).
Celis reported that Todd, Dan, Charlie, and Nancy Sofen have provided feedback, and a draft is
ready to be circulated outside the committee to other key parties (School Committee, PBC, town
staff, eventually the Select Board). Some discussion followed about presenting it to the PBC on
the 10th and how to provide citizen support when it goes before the Select Board.
High School Building Committee (HSBC) Update. Dan reported that the HSBC will meet next in
November, and he’s been encouraged to attend even if he isn’t formally appointed yet. At their
first meeting Kathleen Linehan was appointed chair and it was decided that the PBC and SLC
will do the heavy lifting on the design, while the HSBC and School Committee will focus on
policy-level matters and coordination with the MSBA. Dan explained that one of the items high
on the committee’s agenda is to discuss the high-performance building policy and what changes
or adjustments they would want to see for the high school in the targets; it’s important to work
out these details ahead of time, as once MSBA approval is obtained, there will be enormous
pressure to move quickly.
Working with income-eligible housing residents/agencies to maximize resiliency and lower bills.
Cindy explained that Maggie, Ricki, Marcia, and Cindy have been talking about how to make
sure we don’t leave our most vulnerable residents behind during the transition to all-electric
systems. Maggie reported that a lot of agencies and advocacy groups have been putting out
information on the availability of subsidies, incentives, and other assistance; this is a good time
to be working on this.
Specialized Stretch Code. Cindy noted that Lexington will need to adopt the new specialized (net
zero) stretch code, and that is a likely warrant article in the spring. Maggie will let Kelly Axtell
know.
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Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of October 25, 2022
Updates on facility projects:
•Electric hot water heater at the pool building - STM Article 10. Cindy reported that solar for
hot water in the pool building is being proposed. The town should qualify for a 30% tax
credit from the federal government.
•Solar canopies at police station. Celis reported that the PBC is enthusiastic about the new
solar canopies designed by the architect, which provide enhancements for Fletcher Park in
addition to a solar platform. Celis has asked that the cost be broken down into the basic cost
for solar canopies and the additional cost for the added utility of the proposed design, so
Town Meeting members understand the high cost is not attributable just to solar.
•School solar canopies. The last ones should be turned on by year’s end.
Upcoming Events:
•Charlie mentioned Lexington Living Landscapes’ online tree program on November 14 and
encouraged anyone interested to attend.
•Ricki announced a LexCAN program on November 10 focused on greening the grid and
reforming our utilities.
Committee organization. Cindy asked the question of whether we should articulate an
expectation about the term of the chair. Joe noted that the Select Board may impose a term limit
of 2-3 years on all committees. The committee generally supported a 3-year term for chair. Celis
introduced the committee to the notion of Dynamic Governance.
E-mailbox. Todd informed the committee that Cub Scout Pack 137 is looking for someone to
come to their meeting to talk about being involved in town government. It’s not clear whether the
request went to all town committees.
Next Meeting: The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee
will be held at 6 pm on November 29, 2022.
The committee voted to adjourn at 9:07 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Charlie Wyman
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