HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-26 SB-min
Select Board Meeting
April 26, 2023
A meeting of the Lexington Select Board was called to order at 6:30p.m. on Wednesday, April 26,
2023, in the Select Board Meeting Room of the Town Office Building. Hybrid participation was
offered as well via the webinar meeting platform. 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; and Ms. Katzenback, Executive Clerk.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None at this time.
SELECT BOARD MEMBER CONCERNS AND LIAISON REPORTS
1. Select Board Member Concerns and Liaison Reports
Ms. Hai stated that she, Melissa Battite, and Melissa Interess attended a new resident orientation at
Waterstone. The presentation was very impressive. She noted that the also spoke last week at the White
House regarding the Investing in America agenda. She stated that everyone should take a deep breath and
feel good about the Town and its work.
Ms. Barry stated that Senator Mike Barrett reached out this week requesting the Board to send a letter to
Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and the State House delegation regarding funding that is
th
in the House budget for the 250 anniversary. There is an amendment indicating the Board’s support for
this to be approved and not to be pulled out. The Board agreed to support and allow the letter to be signed
by the Chair.
DOCUMENTS: Correspondence Secretary Report - April 12, 2023, Select Board Comments at Naming
Ceremony of the Kenneth J. Donnelly Fire Headquarters
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
1. Town Manager Weekly Update
Mr. Malloy acknowledged that John Livsey, Town Engineer, was named the National Professional
Manager of the Year for Engineering Technology by the American Public Works Association. He
congratulated Mr. Livsey for this accomplishment.
Mr. Malloy noted that there has been a question if there will be charges for parking at the Town Office
building, DPW, and Community Center where the charging stations are located, between the hours of
5pm-8pm. Mr. Pato noted that the public is not charged to park in those locations anyway. The electricity
is charged for.
Mr. Malloy stated that the sidewalk project down some streets off Massachusetts Avenue has
commenced. The trees around the Battle Green have been wrapped for protection.
DOCUMENTS: 4-21-23 Weekly Update
ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
1. Review and Approve Request for Wayfinding Signs on Minuteman Bikeway
Sandhya Iyer, Director of Economic Development, stated that the Tourism Committee, Design Advisory
Committee, and Recreation Committee have all voted unanimously to support this project as planned. The
Bike Advisory Committee voted to support it subject to the following conditions:
Graffiti Tagging – That the highest quality material like Porcelain be included in the bid specs to
have a long-term warrant and have its power washed as necessary.
Map Updating - That a QR code be linked to a website that will be updated frequently. The kiosk
itself can be updated and replaced with small CPA funds after 5-10 years.
Solar Lighting to illuminate the Kiosk - Solar light can be added, if permitted by the Select Board
as this is not in Historic District.
Sign Clutter - To keep the number of signs to a minimum
Ms. Hai noted that, after the bid phase is complete, the Board will be able to review specific language and
images for the signs.
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve the
East Lexington Wayfinding Project as per the plan as presented, subject to the conditions recommended
by the Bike Advisory Committee.
DOCUMENTS: Wayfinding Presentation
2. Review and Approve Lexington Council for the Arts' Request to Paint Additional Town-Owned
Utility Boxes
Steve Poltorzycki, Chair of Lexington Council for the Arts, stated that the Town has received a request
from the Cultural Council to paint three additional utility boxes. The locations are as proposed. The
Council worked with the Engineering Department to develop a list of utility boxes that are appropriate to
consider.
Ms. Barry thanked the Council for this project and for bringing pops of color throughout Town.
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve the
locations at Waltham Street near Concord Avenue; Spring Street near Concord Avenue; and Bedford
Street near Revere Street/Hill Street (as proposed).
DOCUMENTS: Utility BoxLocations - Request to Paint
3. 2023 Annual Town Meeting – Select Board Article Discussion and Positions
Ms. Hai stated that last night there was a working group meeting for those working to come to a
resolution on the solar project, Article 16i. Mr. Lucente explained that there was a lot of public input
during the working group meeting. He explained that there was some understanding reached last night,
that the continuation of the design will go forward. Town Meeting will not be voting on the design
previously presented, but the financial opportunity to do this project, without a specific layout of the
design yet. Additional feedback from the neighbors and the architect will be considered. The Historic
Districts Commission is a key player regarding issuing a certificate of appropriateness for this project.
Mr. Pato stated that the feedback from the neighbors was effectively complimentary to what was being
presented. He stated that he believes a conclusion will be reached on this project and engagement will be
continued throughout the process.
William Erickson, 31 Sherman Street, stated that he believes the Town has done a great job reaching out
to abutters recently. He stated that he would support a vote to appropriate the funds at this time. Hopefully
this project will continue to move forward, with everyone working cooperatively.
The Board voted unanimously to support Article 16i.
Regarding the vote for reconsideration, Ms. Hai explained that the Lexington general bylaw, Section 90-
9, states that Select Board members shall provide and maintain under their care and supervision a suitable
place or method for free public disposal for the inhabitants of the Town to deposit ashes, cinders, papers,
and other refuse and rubbish, in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Select Board may from
time to time make. On Monday evening at Town Meeting a Revolving Fund was created, but no funding
nd
was placed in it yet. The Board has planned a public hearing and discussion on this topic on May 22. A
subsequent meeting by the Board will incorporate that feedback and consider a vote on this item. There
are several options regarding refuse contract and/or waste reduction efforts, such as providing less
frequent service, not providing pickup service at all, limiting the barrel count service, or not picking up
materials that are prohibited from a landfill or the recycling contract. This would all be discussed during
the public hearing but is not involved with formation of the Revolving Fund.
Mr. Pato noted that a specific amendment was offered Ms. McKenna if reconsideration passes. The Board
could take a position on that specific amendment. Ms. Hai stated that the amendment is to strike Section
A and to complementarily delete the $230,000. This was submitted to the TMMA list this afternoon.
Dawn McKenna, 9 Hancock Street and Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member explained that the proposal is
to remove the $230,000 and find other way to fund it. She spoke with Mr. Pinsonneault and Ms. Kosnoff
who were not in favor of this proposal but would rather just strike the Section and see if Town Meeting
would support this. There is still money set aside in Free Cash that could be used for this item. She noted
that there is nothing in the bylaws or in the law that requires “ new information.” This Town has a bylaw
that requires free public disposal, along with a court judgment. Also, someone brought forth an
amendment to Town Meeting to remove the word “free” from Section 90-9, which passed, and the last
referendum passed by the citizens of Lexington removed the word “free” again. There needs to be a
collaborative process for this item. Moving forward with this amendment allows the costs to be covered,
respects the bylaw that is in place, allows for a more inclusive process. This amendment is only to strike
Section A and the last sentence of Section C.
The Board stated that it would consider the amendment.
DOCUMENTS: Select Board Working Document - Positions 2023ATM, Moderator's
schedulefor2023ATM(as ofApril25,2023)
ADJOURN
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 to adjourn the
meeting at 7:13pm.
A true record; Attest:
Kristan Patenaude
Recording Secretary