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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-06 SB-min Select Board Meeting May 6, 2024 A meeting of the Lexington Select Board was called to order at 6:30p.m. on Monday, May 6, 2024, via a hybrid meeting platform. Mr. Lucente, Chair; Mr. Pato; Ms. Barry, 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 Ms. Hai explained that the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) met recently and used the outline from the Center Committee’s presentation to the Board. The EDAC will next meet to come up with an additional set of vetting and recommendations to pass along to the Board. Mr. Pato expanded on his written comments about the Lexington High School Building Committee (SBC) and how the public can participate in providing feedback to the Town on issues regarding how the High School will be developed. The SBC has established an online survey system to gather concerns from the community, as well as to allow community members to express their opinion on concerns that have th already been mentioned. The survey is open until May 16, and comments will be reviewed by the SBC th on May 20. One concern has been voiced over the potential cost of a field house – public suggestions that Williams College was building a field house more cheaply than our architects are projecting, but the Williams College project is only for a temporary structure they are building for $40M. There was another concern that public suggestions to build in place on the existing High School with levels above to expand was not being pursued. The architects have stated that this is not being pursued because it would require tearing everything down as the existing infrastructure for the building would not support additional levels. Mr. Sandeen requested that the Board consider a comment letter regarding the proposed Hanscom North Airfield development draft environmental impact report. Mr. Lucente agreed that this could be placed on a future agenda. The Board discussed how to go about determining liaison assignments. DOCUMENTS: Select Board Announcements and Liaison Reports - May 6, 2024 TOWN MANAGER REPORT 1. Town Manager Weekly Update Mr. Malloy stated that the roads around the Battle Green will begin to be milled this Wednesday and th likely paved on May 13. The Lexington High School financing summit is planned to be held on May 22nd. The Board agreed that this should be held via hybrid session. DOCUMENTS: Weekly Update 05-03-24 CONSENT AGENDA 1. Application: Entertainment License – Chinese American Association of Lexington (CAAL), Visitors Center Lawn, 1875 Massachusetts Avenue  2024 Boston Asian International Music Festival Dawn McKenna, 9 Hancock Street, explained that this event and its signage overwhelmed the property last year and creeped off the property. She would like to see if directions can be given for this event to stay to the right of the Visitor’s Center. To approve an Entertainment License for the Chinese American Association of Lexington (CAAL) for the purpose of providing live musical performances, radio/recorded music, and disc jockeys for patrons of the 2024 Boston Asian International Music Festival to take place on Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 5:00pm to 8:30pm on the Visitors Center Lawn, 1875 Massachusetts Avenue. DOCUMENTS: 2024 Boston Asian International Music Festival Event Location Map 2. Application: One-Day Liquor Licenses – LABBB Collaborative, Depot Parking Lot, 0 Meriam Street  (2) Lexington BBQ Festival To approve two One-Day Liquor Licenses for LABBB Collaborative/Steve Eastridge to serve beer and cider at the municipal parking lot behind the Depot Building (to the left of the parking attendant), 0 Meriam Street, for the purpose of the Lexington BBQ Festival on the following dates:  Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 12:00pm to 8:00pm  Sunday, June 9, 2024 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm DOCUMENTS: Lexington BBQ Festival Event Location Map 3. Application: Entertainment License – LABBB Collaborative, Depot Parking Lot, 0 Meriam Street  Lexington BBQ Festival To approve an Entertainment License for LABBB Collaborative/Steve Eastridge for the purpose of providing live musical performances for patrons of the Lexington BBQ Festival to take place on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the municipal parking lot behind the Depot Building (to the left of the parking attendant), 0 Meriam Street from 12:00pm to 8:00pm. 4. Application: License for Public Entertainment on Sunday – LABBB Collaborative, Depot Parking Lot, 0 Meriam Street  Lexington BBQ Festival To approve a License for Public Entertainment on Sunday for LABBB Collaborative/Steve Eastridge for the purpose of providing live musical performances for patrons of the Lexington BBQ Festival to take place on Sunday, June 9, 2024 at the municipal parking lot behind the Depot Building (to the left of the parking attendant), 0 Meriam Street from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. 5. Application: One-Day Liquor Licenses – Spectacle Management, Inc., 1605 Massachusetts Avenue  Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood  Andy Summers  Christopher Cross  The High Kings To approve four One-Day Liquor Licenses for Spectacle Management, Inc. to serve beer and wine in the lobby outside of Battin Hall on the main level of Cary Memorial Building, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue, for the purpose of four events as follows:  Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, Saturday, May 18, 2024 6:30pm to 10:30pm  Andy Summers, Wednesday, June 5, 2024 6:30pm to 10:30pm  Christopher Cross, Thursday, July 25, 2024 6:30pm to 10:30pm  The High Kings, Saturday, July 27, 2024 6:30pm to 10:30pm DOCUMENTS: Spectacle Management Event Location Map 6. Approve Select Board Meeting Minutes  April 10, 2024 Select Board  April 10, 2024 Joint Select Board, Appropriation Committee and Capital Expenditures Committee To approve and release the following minutes:  April 10, 2024 Select Board  April 10, 2024 Joint Select Board, Appropriation Committee and Capital Expenditures Committee DOCUMENTS: DRAFT - 04102024 Select Board Minutes, DRAFT - 04102024 Joint Meeting SB-AC- CEC minutes 7. Approve Request for Deferral of Water and Sewer Payment To approve the deferral of FY2024 Water and Sewer payments for 166 Spring Street. DOCUMENTS: Application for deferral of water and sewer payment - VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda. ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION 1. Presentation - Zero Waste Survey Results and Recommendations Maggie Peard, Sustainability & Resiliency Officer, explained that a team of four graduate students from Tufts University’s Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning (UEP) completed a semester-long research project for the Town around potential changes to the Town’s waste collection system to reduce waste. The team researched five proposed strategies from Lexington’s Zero Waste Plan and created a survey to gauge residents’ feelings toward the strategies. The team presented the results of the survey, which got 1,514 responses, and their recommendations for the Town based on the results. The recommendations included expanding the composting program for the Town such as moving to an alternate week waste collection. A second recommendation is to pursue automated collection. The final recommendation is for a general expansion of reuse, recycling collection and donation drop offs. It was noted that this item will be before the Board at a future meeting to discuss this item further. DOCUMENTS: Tufts Zero Waste Presentation 2. Lexington Farmers' Market - Recap of 2023 and Preview of 2024 Markets Leslie Wilcott-Henrie, LFM Board President, provided a summary and review of the 2023 Farmers' Markets, as well as a preview for the 2024 Farmers' Market season. The Market had the highest seasonal demand ever for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) in 2023. The Market is committed to determining how to raise the funds to continue to meet the increased need. The Market partnered with Foodlink, a food rescue organization in Arlington, in September and October. Approximately 1,800 pounds of produce were redirected to organizations that need them. In 2024, this program will be instituted all season. This coming year, there will be 33 farmers and vendors overall, with th 24 weekly. Opening day is May 28, 2024, and this is the 20 year. DOCUMENTS: Recap of 2023 and Preview of 2024 Markets 3. Update on Town-Wide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Sheila Page, Assistant Planning Director, presented the Town-side Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. The Board expressed its appreciation for the plan and noted that with respect to prioritization of projects, those projects already under investigation, such as the Burlington Street and North Street sidewalk, should retain their priority rather than be considered under the new rubric in the plan. Jay Luker, 26 Rindge Avenue, stated that he previously suggested that density be one of the criteria that sidewalk projects get ranked by. He agreed that the Burlington Street and North Street project should remain at the top. This is a poster case for why density should be considered when ranking these projects. He expressed concern regarding the proposed enforcement safety measures, as there may be more effective mitigation efforts. Sara Bothwell Allen, Burlington Street, stated that her neighborhood is partly cut off from the rest of Town, which currently includes 95 Lexington school children who cannot adequately access other areas by biking or walking. She encouraged priority ranking of additional projects to consider other neighborhoods that may be entirely cut off with that connectivity. Vinita Verma, 3 Graham Street, expressed gratitude to Town Staff regarding addressing her inquiries about the bandwidth for new sidewalks and the progress of the Burlington Street/North Street sidewalk. It was mentioned that the Town is currently in the design phase with a bid slated for construction in FY28. She offered her assistance along with her neighbors in any capacity required for the design or preparatory work for the sidewalk layout. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to accept the Town-wide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan to serve as a decision-making guide for workplans, capital requests, road maintenance and infrastructure planning. DOCUMENTS: Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Memo, Presentation 4. Update on Potential 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington Monument at Belfry Hill Park Mr. Malloy explained that the Selection Committee was established to review proposals from the four artists, and selected the design from Mariam Gusevich, but concerns were raised by Board members and Staff related to siting that proposal at Belfry Park, maintenance, etc. The Town thus considered moving to the second selection from Zaq Landsberg, but that also did not seem to have overwhelming support from the Board. Mr. Malloy explained that he and Mr. Lucente met with the donor, Howard Wolk, to discuss the concerns that have been raised and it was determined that the full Select Board should have a public discussion on the proposals to make a determination whether to move forward with one of the proposals or withdraw plans to install a monument and focus on other aspects of the commemoration. th Mr. Pato explained that his concern is that this is not just about putting up bunting for the 250 Celebration; this is a monument that the community is going to live with for, hopefully, a very long time. This needs significant, unified public support. In hearing the discussions, it seems that there is not an overwhelming support for any one of the proposals, including some negative reactions. None of the designs strike him, in that location, as supporting the community's interest. thth Ms. Barry stated that, as chair of the 250 Commission, the entire 250 Commission is not aware of what is going on with the monument as these conversations were happening not in public purview. She expressed concern with the Board making a decision tonight regarding not moving forward with the monument. She stated that she would like to have a monument somewhere in Town. Mr. Lucente explained that the number one selection gave most pause for different reasons. For him, this was due to it using both sides of the park and the scale. The Board can either stop the project now, revisit it with one of the artists, or start a brand-new process at a different location. Ms. Hai stated that she does not want to see the plug pulled on the project at this point. It may just the th proposed location that is a problem. She suggested having a conversation with the 250 Commission. Mr. Sandeen expressed concerns regarding the proposed location, size of the proposed monument, and the maintenance associated. He stated that he would be open to discussing a second monument selection. Glenn Parker, 186 Spring Street, stated that he was a participant on one of the committees that was involved in the sculpture exploration. He emphasized that the maintenance issues on the proposed sculpture are not trivial. Siting for outdoor sculptures is half the battle. Public sculpture, especially something that is permanent, takes time, and this process is trying to squeeze a lot of effort and thought into a very short time. Dawn McKenna, 9 Hancock Street, stated that the Battle Green Master Plan gives some good guidance about the proposed location. She expressed concern regarding the representation of those who fought in the battle, as this is what the All Soldiers Memorial is about. The proposed monument feels duplicative. Howard Wolk, 22 Pelham Road in Weston, MA, stated that the Board should not move forward with something that will not fully serve the opportunity. He stated that he supports whatever the Town decides to do. Matthew Siegal, 24 Lane Ave in Bedford, MA, and Executive Director of the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, stated that it may be worthwhile to have the artist come in to discuss the feedback and scale of the proposed monument. He stated that he does not believe any of the other monument options are quite as appropriate as the first choice. Mr. Pato suggested bringing both artists back to attempt to address the concerns. It was agreed that Ms. th Barry would address this suggestion with the 250 Commission and then bring comments back to the Board. 5. Approve Final Proposed Street Art Project - Intersection of Kendall Road and Farmcrest Avenue Mr. Lucente recused himself from this item. Sheila Page, Assistant Planning Director, reviewed the presentation from the neighborhood around Farmcrest/Hilltop/Kendall regarding a proposed street art designed as a traffic calming measure. A memorandum from the Traffic Safety Group (TSG) recommends this project. Kristen Stelljes, Resident, explained the requested project. The neighborhood has raised over $400 for this project. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 4-0 to approve the request of the neighborhood to install a street art project designed as a traffic calming measure consistent with the recommendations and guidelines from the Traffic Safety Group. DOCUMENTS: Neighborhood Presentation, TSG Memo, TSGStreet Art Suggested Guidelines 6. Discuss Town Manager Search Screening Committee Timeline The Board discussed establishing a timeline and process for selecting applicants to the Town Manager Search Screening Committee (TMSSC). The objective is to ensure the committee reflects a diverse range of insights and backgrounds, aligning with our community’s demographics and values. The Board reviewed the process and timeline. Suzie Barry recused herself from the Executive Session and exited the meeting at 8:35pm. EXECUTIVE SESSION 1. Exemption 3: Collective Bargaining Update – Building Maintenance Division Union (AFL-CIO Mass. State Council #93, Local #1703); Public Works Union (AFL- CIO Mass. State Council #93, Local #1703) VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 4-0 by roll call at 6:48pm to enter Executive Session under Exemption 3: Collective Bargaining Update - Building Maintenance Division Union (AFL-CI Maintenance Division Union (AFL-CIO Mass. State Council #93, Local #1703); Public Works Union (AFL-CIO Mass. State Council #93, Local #1703) and to not reconvene in open session. Further, it was declared that an open meeting discussion may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Town. ADJOURN VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 4-0 from the Executive Session to adjourn both the Executive Session and Regular Meeting at 9:27pm. The next regularly scheduled work session of the Select Board will be held on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 6:30pm via hybrid participation. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Select Board will be held on Monday, May 20, 2024 at 6:30pm via hybrid participation. A true record; Attest: Kristan Patenaude Recording Secretary