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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