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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-19-SLC-minSustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of Meeting of March 19, 2024 A meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee (SLC) was held by Zoom conference. A quorum of at least six was present throughout. Members Present: Cindy Arens (chair), Celis Brisbin, Lin Jensen Andy Joynt, Rick Reibstein, Todd Rhodes (vice-chair), Dan Voss, Charlie Wyman Members Absent: Paul Chernick Staff Present: Maggie Peard Other Attendees: Mark Sandeen (Select Board), Mike Boudett (CEC), Tina McBride, Tom Wanderer, Nalini Datta, Marci Cemenska, Erin Suh, Chris Yoo, Jocelyn Chen, Atreyi Basu, Eileen Ho, Tomer Elkayam, Caroline Ehmann, Ricki Pappo, Dora Liao The meeting was called to order at 6:03 pm. Cindy referenced the opening statement requested by the Town Clerk and all members present responded that they could hear. Discuss 2024 ATM Article 40 - Integrated Pest Management Resolution. Marci Cemenska explained the background and purpose of the citizens petition submitted as Article 40. Questions and discussion followed. Cindy presented a draft statement of support, and Andy and Lin offered minor revisions. It was moved, seconded, and unanimously approved by those present. A copy of the adopted version is attached. Discuss 2024 ATM Article 31 - Town wide plastic water bottle phase out. Tom Wanderer presented the proposed article and walked the committee through it, explaining its rationale, experience in other towns, and current practice at a number of retail establishments in Lexington. Some questions and discussion followed. After further discussion it was moved, seconded, and voted unanimously by those present to register the committee’s support. Proposal for plastic drink bottle phase out town and school policy - LHS Envirothon Team. Eileen Ho provided an introduction on behalf of the Envirothon team, and then the team made their presentation and proposal to phase out plastic beverage bottles in school and town departments and programs. The presentation was very well received by the committee, with many compliments, and some constructive suggestions were offered. The team’s next step is to take it to the Select Board and School Committee for consideration. It was moved, seconded and unanimously voted by those present that the Sustainable Lexington Committee fully supports Envirothon’s policy proposal. Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of March 19, 2024 SustainabLY update. Dora explained that First Parish is hosting an event on April 21 where SustainabLY will have a few minutes to provide their perspective on how the town is doing environmentally. They are also writing an article for the Citizens for Lexington Conservation (CLC) April newsletter introducing themselves, and are hoping to host some in-school events to raise awareness about environmental issues and SustainabLY. Discuss sponsorship of Lexington Lyceum Climate Discussion. Cindy explained that she has been contacted by the Lexington Lyceum Advocates and Lexington Observer about moderating a program at Follen Community Center on the evening of April 30 titled “Growing Up in a Climate Crisis: How Are Young People Responding?” SustainabLY and Envirothon have both been asked to participate. The committee has been asked to co-sponsor the event, and it was moved, seconded, and voted to do so. Approval of past meeting minutes. The minutes of February 13 were approved as written. Comments from residents; emails to committee mailbox; new business. •Todd mentioned that May 25 will be Discovery Day and asked if members were again game to participate. The matter will be placed on the agenda of our next meeting. •Lin provided two updates from the LPS Green Teams: With Clean Water funds two dishwashers and trays are being installed at Fisk and Harrington, reducing the need for disposable materials. There is also a group of people interested in creating a lending library of foodware (plates, utensils, etc.) for events. Ricki added that LexCAN has been eager to do the same. On the Town Meeting bus tour on Sunday, it was noted that the library is getting a new dishwasher. •Todd added that the Lions Club is looking for a speaker at one of their events. Ricki mentioned that Andy has been looking for opportunities to speak with community groups, and offered to connect LexElectrify with Todd and the Lions. Discuss statement for 2024 ATM Article 34-36 - Tree bylaw updates. Discuss statement for 2024 ATM Article 37 - Tree resolution. Charlie refreshed the committee’s memory on the substance of Articles 34-36 (revisions to the Tree Bylaw) and 37 (citizens’ petition requesting a Resolution on the Importance of Trees), all of which were presented in detail at previous committee meetings. After brief discussion, and deciding formal statements were unnecessary, it was moved, seconded, and voted unanimously by those present to register the committee’s support of all four. Sustainability & Resilience Officer discussion and update. Maggie reported the following: •Fossil-fuel free bylaw: Goes into effect on Thursday. Maggie has been working with the building commissioner and she feels they are in good shape for implementation. There were brief discussions about the Economic Development Advisory Committee’s opposition and about information to be tracked for DOER. .2 Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of March 19, 2024 •The High Performance Building Policy has now been approved by the School Committee and is fully in effect. The first two years are primarily data collection, then the policy begins to require corrective action. Maggie also mentioned that NEEP has funding to work with a cohort of small and rural communities, and Maggie will be participating to provide support. •Federal Tax Credits (Direct Pay) – on solar and EV charging/vehicles. Maggie explained that tax exempt entities can now take advantage of IRA incentives and she’s looking into what can be done for 2023 expenses for the Fire HQ solar and for EV purchases. The filing deadline is May 15 but an automatic 6-month extension is available. •The compost pilot is being expanded to 4000 households, and existing paying Black Earth subscribers will be encouraged to participate. The Tufts group is assembling a survey to gauge resident support for changes in waste collection. Lin encouraged Maggie to word the questions carefully so respondents understand the details and benefits of any measures (such as biweekly collection and pay-as-you-throw) proposed. •HeatSmart is being expanded to include solar coaching. There was brief discussion about the Globe’s article on build-up of mold in mini-splits; Mike Simons of Abode has put together a video, dispelling the anxiety caused by the article and showing how easily the concerns can be addressed. Mark added that Maggie is doing a great job of running the network geothermal pilot study. Update: SBC/High School - Integrated Process. Cindy, Dan, and Mark updated the committee on the progress of the high school building process, including the focus groups. A variety of different building configurations are being evaluated, including the possibilities of reusing portions of existing buildings. Solar canopies are being planned for the parking lot, but it’s too early to evaluate solar options on the buildings. Mark and Dan explained that while there is significant interest in a new field house and a pool, the MSBA won’t contribute to their cost and a town vote for a debt exclusion needed to construct them would have to be separate from the vote for the high school. Dan commented that if the town voted to build any structures outside of MSBA’s scope, they could be designed and constructed as part of the project as long as they are funded separately. Mark noted that the evaluation of need has estimated a need for 475,000 square feet of building space, substantially more than the existing school. For an upcoming tour, Lin asked that towns (Lincoln, Winchester) that undertook renovations instead of entirely new construction also be visited and evaluated. There was some discussion about the nature, educational value and potential fate of wetlands on the property. Celis added that the wet areas at the high school are technically bio-swales and are not identified as wetlands by the Town. Discuss statement for 2024 ATM Article 33 - AHT/Lowell St affordable housing. Cindy explained the article and offered a draft statement of support. Considerable discussion followed and revisions were considered, and two ultimately adopted. It was then moved, seconded, and voted by all present to adopt the revised statement of support for Article 33. A copy of the adopted version is attached. .3 Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of March 19, 2024 Review of Hanscom Expansion - Draft Environmental Impact Report. Cindy explained that we have received the draft environmental impact report for Hanscom, and the authors have suggested that the comment period run until May 10 but are open to longer. Considerable discussion followed. Rick and Mark noted a number of deficiencies in the report, particularly in defining the scope to avoid addressing significant impacts of the project, including toxic contamination, the emissions from the planes to be housed in the hangars, and more. Andy suggested we reply with a list of deficiencies and ask them how long it will take to fix them and provide us with a complete draft to react to. Mark suggested sharing our comments with Melissa Hoffer. Cindy asked for volunteers and Rick offered to help in fashioning a response to bring back to our next meeting, which will then be sent to the Select Board. The Board of Health is also offering comments. Draft EIR for 420-430 Bedford St. Boston Properties has submitted a draft environmental impact report for redevelopment of its office park at 420-430 Bedford St. They are apparently planning to building something akin to what’s being built next door, with a large lab building and a parking structure. The deadline for comments is April 8, before the committee will have a chance to vote on any comments. The committee agreed that Cindy will assemble a subquorum to review and offer comments on the DEIR, to be submitted under their own names. Next Meeting: The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee is scheduled for 6 pm on April 23, 2024. The committee voted to adjourn at 9:53 pm. Respectfully submitted, Charlie Wyman Attachments .4 Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of March 19, 2024 Sustainable Lexington Committee statement on ATM Article 40, adopted 3/19/24: March 20, 2024 Dear members of the Select Board, The Sustainable Lexington Committee (SLC) supports Article 40. IPM is an effective approach to managing pests and one that does not carry the significant tradeoffs that exist with pest management practices that utilize second-generation anticoagulants. The use of pesticides, rodenticides, fungicides and herbicides all present risks. Recent understanding of the impact of second-generation anticoagulants on wildlife such as raptors is only one example. Lexington was the site of one of the first Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs for schools, and in 2010 the state required IPM for all schools and day care centers, establishing standards that ensure the least risk to health and the environment. It is a sensible measure to further extend the IPM practice to town owned and managed sites, as we have seen in neighboring towns. IPM addresses the causes for pests first and seeks to avoid the need for using chemicals. It needs to be applied wherever it can be applied. It is important that strong policies be used and attention be paid, as it is easy to default to conventional toxics. IPM can take more time and upfront expense, but because it aims for permanent solutions (preventing pest entry, removing food and water sources) the investment preserves property values as well as enhancing health and safety. Regards, Cindy Arens Chair, Sustainable Lexington Committee .5 Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of March 19, 2024 Sustainable Lexington Committee statement on ATM Article 33, adopted 3/19/24: March 20, 2024 Dear members of the Select Board, The Sustainable Lexington Committee (SLC) supports creating smaller housing and denser housing in walkable/bikable/transit-oriented locations. These are valuable steps towards a more sustainable future. Such housing generally results in less per capita energy use in buildings and for transportation. It is for these reasons and recognizing the urgent need for more housing for the most vulnerable in our greater community that the Sustainable Lexington Committee supports Article 33 which authorizes the Select Board to start the process to explore affordable housing on Parcel 68-44. The SLC must emphasize that an essential step towards not only our zero emissions goals, but also our public health and equity goals, is to build housing that is highly energy-efficient, more resilient and not dependent on burning fossil fuels. We support the Affordable Housing Trust’s recommendations to the Select Board that any development of the Parcel be of high quality sustainable design and construction and comply with the Town’s Integrated Building Design and Construction Policy, including generating its own renewable solar energy, thereby greatly reducing the cost burden to residents and increasing resiliency. Residents’ access to robust public transportation and safe biking and pedestrian options, especially to Lexington’s town center and civic services, are key goals for public health and equity. Without detracting from the SLC support for Article 33, the SLC urges the Affordable Housing Trust and the Select Board to also pursue housing on previously developed parcels, especially in the center of town. Finally, the SLC must highlight the great value that healthy mature trees and open land provide for public health, equity and climate change mitigation, and thus the importance of prioritizing housing opportunities on already disturbed land. The town must continue to recognize the significant benefit trees and other vegetation provide when undertaking any decisions, including when evaluating and accepting proposals for parcel 68-44. Regards, Cindy Arens Chair, Sustainable Lexington Committee .6