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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-24 SB-min Select Board Meeting April 24, 2024 A meeting of the Lexington Select Board was called to order at 5:30p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, via a hybrid meeting platform. Mr. Pato, Chair; Ms. Barry, Mr. Lucente, Ms. Hai, 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 Verbal Select Board reports were postponed to the end of the meeting if time was available. DOCUMENTS: Select Board Announcements and Liaison Reports - April 24, 2024 TOWN MANAGER REPORT 1. Town Manager Weekly Update Nothing additional to report at this time. DOCUMENTS: Weekly Update 4-12-24, 4-19-24 CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approve and Sign Proclamations  Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month  Mental Health Month  National Police Week/Peace Officers Memorial Day  National Public Works Week To approve and sign proclamations annually recognizing the month of May as Mental Health Month and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. To approve and sign proclamations recognizing National Police Week from Sunday, May 12, 2024 through Saturday, May 18, 2024, with Peace Officers Memorial Day being recognized on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, and National Public Works Week from Sunday, May 19, 2024 through Saturday, May 25, 2024, and to further lower the Battle Green Flag from sunrise until sunset on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 in commemoration of Peace Officers Memorial Day. DOCUMENTS: 2024Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month Proclamation, 2024 Mental Health Month Proclamation, 2024 National Police Week/Peace Officers Memorial Day Proclamation, 2024 National Public Works Week Proclamation 2. 2024 Limousine License Renewals To approve the 2024 Annual Limousine License renewals for the following businesses: LIMOUSINE Boyadjian Limousine Service - 447 Lowell Street (2 vehicles) D&O Limo LLC d/b/a D&O Limo - 3402 Main Campus Drive (1 vehicle) 3. Approve Select Board Meeting Minutes To approve and release the following minutes:  April 3, 2024 Select Board  April 8, 2024 Select Board DOCUMENTS: DRAFT 04032024 Select Board minutes, DRAFT 04082024 Select Board minutes 4. Acceptance of Bench Donation – Gallagher Tennis Courts To accept the donation of a bench to the Town from The Battle Green Tennis League to be located Gallagher Tennis Courts in the designated area as described in the proposal dated March 26, 2024. DOCUMENTS: Recreation Memo - Bench Donation - Gallagher Tennis Courts 4.2024 VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda. ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION 1. Discuss and Approve Prioritized Intersections for Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) Along the Minuteman Bikeway Ross Morrow, Assistant Town Engineer, presented an updated memorandum with recommendations for action by the Select Board, one with Hancock Street included and one without Hancock Street included. Town Staff continue to recommend including Hancock Street. One item of guidance was to make the crossing more perpendicular to the road, making the crosswalk shorter and creating S-curves to alert cyclists. This pushes the east side approach further north by 10’-12’ away from the new Battle Green roundabout. The west side will also move closer to the Masonic Lodge, and a better balance on this side is being sought. Ms. Hai asked if the Hancock street intersection improvements would occur regardless of the RRFB. Mr. Morrow stated that it will as a safety improvement. Ms. Barry asked about shielding the RRFBs for blocked lighting. Mr. Morrow stated that this was discussed and would shield glare from the sides. He has not yet been able to find one available but believes one could be fabricated using a contractor on site. In response to a question from Mr. Lucente, Mr. Morrow explained that he has discussed the project with the Masonic Lodge, and they were appreciative for any improvements to be made to the sidewalk. Discussions have been had with the resident at 9 Hancock Street and he is unclear if discussions have been had with the resident at 12 Hancock Street. Plantings would be linked with the RRFB project to help screen light spillover. Ms. Hai stated that the board has been told this particular site has been rated the greatest concern based on a 2014 report that the Board received, but the corrections to the crosswalk alignment and S-curve are proposed to fix some of the sight lines. It has been represented to the Board that, in fact, there have been no crashes in the last 3-4 years and only 1-2 in the last five or six years. Police Chief McLean stated that, regarding the crosswalk at the Minuteman Bike Path at Hancock Street, from 2018 to today, there have been six incidents. At all the bike crossings in Town, there have been approximately 42 documented incidents. Betty Gau, Bicycle Advisory Committee, explained that the Committee reviewed the proposed list for all the RRFBs again and discussed the abutter concerns about the RRFB at Hancock Street. After hearing the abutter concerns about the flashing light at Hancock Street, the Committee researched alternatives to an RRFB at the Hancock Street crossing, and provided three alternatives in an April 17, 2024 letter to the Board, including ground road lights, speed bumps, and painted street art. The Committee members also visited several RRFBs in nearby towns such as Watertown, Waltham, Concord, and Acton to evaluate the brightness during the day and at night. The Committee also reviewed the S-curve design being implemented by the DPW that will move the crossing 10’-12’ away from the Hancock Street roundabout. The Committee has requested flashers at bike crossings for over ten years based on the report of 2014. The Committee voted unanimously in favor of the proposed crossing priorities listed by the DPW, with the Hancock Street crossing as the number one priority for a flashing beacon. Safety of cyclists and pedestrians is the number one reason the Bicycle Advisory Committee supports the implementation of RRFBs at the bikeway crossings in Town. Dawn McKenna, 9 Hancock Street, stated that this project was not directly discussed with her outside of the Battle Green discussion. This Board has imposed a level of impact on her property with which it has a contractual obligation to preserve and protect as part of the National Historic Register. She requested that the Board allow the changes to the bike path to occur first, without the RRFBs installed, in order to see if enough of a change is made without the RRFBs. Lighting will not be able to be screened in this area. Two sides of her house are currently lit from other projects, and this would be a third side. Barbara Katzenberg, Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member, stated that, as a cyclist, she would like to see parents in Town feel comfortable allowing their children to ride bikes. Safety needs to be a priority for this to occur. These beacons are a good safety measure, though she acknowledges they will make things difficult for nearby abutters. Keith Ohmart, 114 East Street and Chair of the Greenways Corridor Committee, stated that pedestrians are often not as visible as bicyclists in terms of clothing, lights, or physical mass and motion. Drivers approaching a bikeway crossing will not necessarily be looking for pedestrians. The Hancock Street intersection is particularly problematic in terms of cars exiting and often accelerating out of the rotary heading north on Hancock Street. Also, if flashing beacons are installed at all other bikeway crossings, but not at Hancock Street, it will cause confusion for pedestrians who will be looking for the button to activate the crossing lights. In response to a question from Ms. Hai, Mr. Morrow stated that the Town will likely be able to cover 5-6 RRFBs with current available funding. Much of the cost goes toward the large decorative posts. Ms. Hai agreed that consistency for riders and pedestrians around Town will be important. Mr. Sandeen stated that the number one request from citizens during the participatory budgeting process was safety at crosswalks in Town. Consultants then determined that this intersection was the number one priority for the Town. Safety needs to be optimized for all residents. He recommended moving forward with option 1 at this time. Mr. Pato stated that it is unclear what the best outcome will be at this particular location over the next number of years. He suggested waiting on the Hancock Street crossing for a bit in order to see how the roundabout and S-curve changes things in this area. It is likely that an RRFB will need to be considered here in the future. Mr. Lucente explained that moving forward without Hancock Street would still allow for safety improvements at seven other locations in Town. He continues to have concerns regarding the RRFB at Hancock Street and nearby properties. Ms. Hai agreed that the other improvements to this intersection will improve the safety level, without including the RRFB. She suggested moving forward with the seven other RRFBs in Town at this time and then reevaluating. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 4-1 to install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Lights (RRFBs) as proposed in option 2 in the memo dated April 12, 2024 at the following street intersections: Merriam Street, Revere Street, Woburn Street, Fletcher Avenue, Westview Street, Bow Street and Fottler Avenue. DOCUMENTS: Memorandumwith Recommendations, Bicycle Advisory Committee Recommendation, Memo from 4-10-24 Board Meeting, Hancock Street/Bikeway Intersection Redesign, Presentation from4- 10-24 Board Meeting, Design 2. Discuss Police Station Project Budget for Solar Canopy/Batteries Mike Cronin, Director of Public Facilities, discussed two options. One is to erect the steel, finish the parking areas and construct full 22’ wide sidewalks, and restore Fletcher Field. The second option is to not erect the steel, in which case the plan would be to install 8’ wide sidewalks and to then restore Fletcher Field and complete the remaining work (erect steel, lighting, finish sidewalks) at a later date. Glenn Parker, Appropriation Committee, stated that the Committee expressed a great deal of concern about the expanding cost of the project. The recommendation was to rebid certain items before proceeding. The Committee also discussed whether solar arrays and batteries are absolutely needed at a Police Station. The average ROI for these systems is approximately eight years, but the ROI for this project is potentially much longer. The Committee suggested that the Board consider how to maximize this ROI wherever possible. The Committee also noted that a fourth option could be rooftop only, but this would not deal with the police cruiser charging issue. Charles Lamb, Capital Expenditures Committee, stated that, once the Committee recognized that the batteries in this project are for charging police cars, and not for facility standby power, it easily reached a unanimous recommendation to support Option 2. The primary benefit of this project is for charging law enforcement EVs, a program the Town has committed to. Ms. Barry asked when Fletcher Field will be restored. Mr. Cronin stated that all onsite activities should be completed, and the site restored by June 20, 2024. In response to a question from Ms. Barry, Mr. Malloy stated that if the decision was to install the steel and go back out to bid for the rest of the project, this would likely take approximately six weeks. The solar panel work could likely be completed at any time of year. Mr. Lucente suggested moving forward with Option 2 in order to keep this project moving forward. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to authorize Town staff to erect the frame and complete as much solar installation as financially possible at this time. DOCUMENTS: Return on Investment Information from4-10-24 Board Meeting, Presentation from4-10- 24 Board Meeting, M.SandeenEmailSolarAnalysis, ACCommentLetter 3. Review Request for Quotations Submitted by Executive Search Firms for Town Manager Search and Vote Candidates to Interview The Board discussed the submissions for the Request for Qualifications for Executive Recruiting Firms for the Town Manager Search to determine which consulting firms to interview on April 29, 2024. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to schedule interviews to be held on Monday, April 29, 2024 with MRI, Raftelis, and GovHR for the Town Manager's executive recruiting consultant. DOCUMENTS: CPSHRProposal, GOVHR MGT Proposal, MRI Proposal, Raftelis Proposal, CopyofRFQ 4. 2024 Annual Town Meeting  Discuss ATM 2024 Article 45: Indigenous Peoples Day (Citizen Petition) Mr. Lucente proposed a dual holiday for Indigenous Peoples Day and Italian American Heritage Day. Mr. Pato explained that this proposal is not within the scope of Town Meeting and this Warrant Article but could be decided by the Board at a future meeting. The intention this evening is to let Town Meeting Members understand what the Board’s thoughts on this topic are. Mr. Sandeen stated that he would like to hear more about the intention of the original Warrant Article first. Ms. Hai stated that the makers of the motion seem to have an intention, as stated in the article “that the second Monday of October shall henceforth be commemorated as Indigenous Peoples Day”. The Board could recognize the fact that all of October is Italian American Heritage Month. She would be comfortable acknowledging something like this that exists already in the world. To her knowledge, there is no other place on the Town’s calendar where the Town recognizes Indigenous Peoples. She would like to keep the original Warrant Article as it is currently. There was agreement on the Board that the Article intention was to remove the designation of Columbus Day for that date. Mr. Lucente stated that the Board could determine additional direction as to how to handle Italian American Heritage Day. Waiting on this decision brings one community up while putting another community down. Mr. Pato explained that the Board is only determining to put off a decision on this item to a different date, as it is not on the agenda for a vote this evening.  Select Board Article Discussion and Positions The Board discussed its positions on upcoming Warrant Articles. DOCUMENTS: Memo - Second Monday in October (RE: ATM Article 45: Indigenous Peoples Day (Citizen Petition), Select Board Working Document - Positions 2024ATM, Art 31 amendment slides, Art 31Amendment E. Michelson, Art31motion SELECT BOARD MEMBER CONCERNS AND LIAISON REPORTS 1. Select Board Member Concerns and Liaison Reports – The Board retook this item at this time Mr. Sandeen noted that the Affordable Housing Trust has been approached by the Planning Department regarding permits filed for MBTA Communities. The Trust was encouraged to consider potential buydowns using the Trust’s funding to encourage additional units of affordable housing. It was noted that this will be discussed by the Board at its meeting on May 13, 2024. th Ms. Barry noted that the 250 celebrations kicked off last week and she thanked all those involved. DOCUMENTS: Select Board Announcements and Liaison Reports - April 24, 2024 ADJOURN VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to adjourn the meeting at 7:01 p.m. A true record; Attest: Kristan Patenaude Recording Secretary