HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-10 SB Packet - ReleasedSELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, March 10, 2025
Select Board Meeting Room, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420 - Hybrid Participation*
6:30 PM
AGENDA
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comments are allowed for up to 10 minutes at the beginning of each meeting. Each speaker is
limited to 2 minutes for comment. Members of the Board will neither comment nor respond, other than to
ask questions of clarification. Speakers are encouraged to notify the Select Board's Office at 781-698-
4580 if they wish to speak during public comment to assist the Chair in managing meeting times.
SELECT BOARD MEMBER CONCERNS AND LIAISON REPORTS
1.Select Board Member Announcements and Liaison Reports
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
1.Town Manager Weekly Update
CONSENT AGENDA
1.Approve: Battle Green Use Request - Lexington Semiquincentennial Commission -
Filming of CBS Segment
Thursday, March 13, 2025 from 3:00 - 8:00pm
2.Amend: Battle Green Use Request - William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum Corps
- Lexington Muster Parade
Amend Lexington Muster Parade Battle Green Request - Saturday, May 3,
2025
3.Approve: Parade and Massachusetts Avenue Road Closure Request - Lexington
Little League
Annual Little League Parade - Saturday, May 3, 2025
ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
1.Vote on Means of Publication 6:45pm
2.Proclamation Request - Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day 6:55pm
3.Proclamation Request - Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library Day 7:05pm
4.Presentation - 2025 ATM Warrant Article 23 - Dispose 116 Vine Street 7:15pm
5.Discussion - 2025 ATM Warrant Article 10H - Harrington Athletic Fields and Article
16E - Central Administration Building Demolition
7:25pm
6.Discussion - Select Board Report to 2025 Annual Town Meeting 7:35pm
7.Presentation - 2025 ATM Warrant Zoning Articles 7:45pm
Article 29 Amend Zoning Bylaw - Bicycle Parking Facilities
Article 30 Amend Zoning Bylaw - Inclusionary Housing for Special
Residential Developments
Article 31 Amend Zoning Bylaw - National Flood Insurance (NFI) District
Article 32 Amend Zoning Bylaw and Zoning Map - Technical Corrections
Article 33 Amend Zoning Bylaw- Section 3.2.1 - Clarify Language
Article 34 Amend Zoning Bylaw - Section 7.5 - MBTA Zoning
8.Presentation - Special Town Meeting 2025-1 Warrant Article 2 - Amend Zoning
Bylaw - Section 7.5 - MBTA Zoning
8:10pm
9.Discussion - 2025 Annual Town Meeting - Select Board Article Discussion and
Positions
8:00pm
Proposed 2025 ATM Consent Agenda
10.Discussion - Special Town Meeting 2025-1 - Select Board Article Discussion and
Positions
8:35pm
11.Review FY25 Goals and Discuss FY26 Goal Setting Process 8:40pm
12.Joint Statement on Zoning Proposals 8:50pm
ADJOURN
1.Anticipated Adjournment 9:00pm
Meeting Packet: https://lexington.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/
*Members of the public can attend the meeting from their computer or tablet by clicking on the
following link at the time of the meeting:
https://lexingtonma.zoom.us/j/82013535294?pwd=mGvKYC9PHOT8ByUHHa0a18jNRhRXpf.1
iPhone one-tap: +13017158592,,82013535294#,,,,*848540#
Phone +1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 820 1353 5294
Passcode: 848540
An Act Relative to Extending Certain State of Emergency
Accommodations: https://www.mass.gov/the-open-meeting-law
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Select Board will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025
at 6:00pm via hybrid participation.
Hearing Assistance Devices Available on Request
All agenda time and the order of items are approximate and
subject to change.
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Select Board Member Announcements and Liaison Reports
PRESENTER:
Doug Lucente, Chair
ITEM
NUMBER:
LR.1
SUMMARY:
Under this item, Select Board Members can provide verbal updates, make announcements, as well as comment
on any additional points or concerns.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
FOLLOW-UP:
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Town Manager Weekly Update
PRESENTER:
Steve Bartha, Town Manager
ITEM
NUMBER:
TM.1
SUMMARY:
Under this item, the Town Manager may provide verbal updates or announcements.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
FOLLOW-UP:
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Approve: Battle Green Use Request - Lexington Semiquincentennial Commission - Filming
of CBS Segment
PRESENTER:
Doug Lucente, Chair
ITEM
NUMBER:
C.1
SUMMARY:
Category: Decision-Making
The Lexington Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250) has requested permission to use the Battle
Green on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 3:00pm to 8:00pm for the purpose of filming a segment for CBS
Sunday Morning. The segment will focus on the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington. As part of the
filming, the Lexington Minutemen Company will conduct a small drill on the Battle Green, with up to 20-24
members participating. The request includes time for setup, filming, and breakdown.
Filming locations will be determined on the day of the event based on conditions and camera angles, and no
special equipment is anticipated at this time. Estimated attendance is between 50-100 people. No road closures
are required.
The Police Department, Department of Public Works, and the Fire Department have reviewed the request and
have no objections or concerns.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
To approve the request from the Lexington Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250) to use the Battle Green
on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 3:00pm to 8:00pm for the purpose of filming a segment for CBS Sunday
Morning on the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, as outlined in their permit request.
Move to approve consent.
FOLLOW-UP:
Select Board Office
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Amend: Battle Green Use Request - William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum Corps -
Lexington Muster Parade
PRESENTER:
Doug Lucente, Chair
ITEM
NUMBER:
C.2
SUMMARY:
Category: Decision-Making
The Select Board is requested to amend Permit SBBG-24-32 for the William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum
Corps’ use of the Battle Green for the Lexington Muster Parade on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
The amendment adds the following statement:
"The Lexington Minute Men will be performing a volley, the simultaneous discharge of multiple weapons, on
Saturday, May 3, 2025, to start the Muster Parade in keeping with tradition. The Minute Men will be firing
safely and away from all spectators, using historically accurate, safety-inspected, black powder rifles."
The Police Department, Department of Public Works, Fire Department, and the Town Manager’s Office have
no objections to this amendment.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
To amend the the William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum Corps Battle Green Permit to include the Lexington
Minute Men’s volley at the start of the Lexington Muster Parade on May 3, 2025, in accordance with historical
tradition and safety protocols.
Move to approve consent.
FOLLOW-UP:
Select Board Office.
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Approve: Parade and Massachusetts Avenue Road Closure Request - Lexington Little
League
PRESENTER:
Doug Lucente, Chair
ITEM
NUMBER:
C.3
SUMMARY:
Category: Decision-Making
The Lexington Little League is requesting approval for the Annual Little League Parade and road closures for
the parade route. They are requesting that Massachusetts Avenue from Muzzey Field to Muzzey Street and
then Muzzey Street to Lexington High School be closed to all but resident emergency traffic from 8:30am on
Saturday, May 3, 2025 to no later than 11:00am for the the Annual Little League Parade Opening Day. Parade
participants will gather at 8:30am at Muzzey Field and step off at 9:00am. The parade will end at the LHS
Football Field for their ceremony as outlined in their attached letter dated February 6, 2025.
The Police Department, Recreation Department, Department of Public Works, Fire Department, Town
Manager's Office and Engineering Department have reviewed this request and have no objections. Police will
provide an escort during the parade. Fire will provide a fire engine to lead the parade, if needed
SUGGESTED MOTION:
To approve the Lexington Little League request for the Annual Little League Parade and the road closures
request for Massachusetts Avenue from Muzzey Field to Muzzey Street and then Muzzey Street to Lexington
High School be closed to all but resident emergency traffic from 8:30am on Saturday, May 3, 2025 to no later
than 11:00am for the Annual Little League Parade as outlined in their letter dated February 6, 2025, subject to
working out the details with Town Departments.
Move to approve the consent.
FOLLOW-UP:
Select Board Office.
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
LLL Parade Request 2025_Redacted Backup Material
Lexington Little League
February 6, 2025
Jill Hai
Chairperson, Select Board
Town of Lexington
Town Office Building
Lexington, MA 02420
Dear Ms. Hai,
The Lexington Recreation Department and Lexington Little League are in the early stages of
planning for the Annual Little League Parade to kick off the 2025 Little League season. The
anticipated date is Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 gathering at 8:30am at Muzzey Field and starting
walking the parade route at 9:00 am.
As in years past, the route will follow Massachusetts Ave. through the town center, turn left on
Muzzey Street. As we did last year, we would like for the parade to end at the LHS football field
rather than the Fitzgerald Field/Little League Center #4 ball field off Park Drive. The football field
lends us much more space and the stands provide seating for players and families during the
open ceremony. This also helps us maintain the field conditions at C4, where we plan to have
opening day games following the parade. We have included the request for use of the LHS
football field on this date as part of our field request submission to the Recreation Department.
We are also going to be working again with the Recreation and Community Programs
Department to use the concession stand at the field. We used it last year to sell snacks to the
parade attendees and keep it open for the games that immediately followed. It was a big hit and
a great way to keep families around to stay and watch the games.
We are still in the early stages of planning the events at the field. In previous years we had
Wally from the Boston Red Sox and an opportunity to take team pictures with the actual World
Series Championship trophy. We will also again invite the LHS Baseball and Softball teams,
most of whom are former Little Leaguers, to come and cheer on their young counterparts.
The rally concludes at 11:00am and we plan on having baseball and softball games immediately
follow at C2 and C4.
We will of course abide by all requirements as set forth by Federal, State, and Local bodies
including the Lexington Board of Health. Given the time it takes to organize this event we are
submitting our request for approval early to allow time for proper planning and execution. We
would greatly appreciate approval from the Select Board to hold these activities as described
above. Furthermore, we would be honored if you and/or any other Board members would join us
in the parade and opening ceremony.
Thank you for your time and consideration. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to
contact me at anytime.
Respectfully,
Mike Finkenzeller
President, Lexington Little League
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Vote on Means of Publication
PRESENTER:
Mary de Alderete, Town Clerk; Jonas
Miller, Director of Communications
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.1
SUMMARY:
Category: Decision-Making
With the passage of House Bill 4560 (Print-Free Digital Legal Notices in Lexington) in January 2025, staff
began reviewing various new options available the Town as a result of the law and is looking for the Board as
to vote on proposed recommendations for implementation.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
Move to/not to accept the implementation of the means of publication as presented.
FOLLOW-UP:
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025 6:45pm
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Means of Publications proposal Backup Material
Session Law -Acts of 2024Chapter 352 Backup Material
Task Overview
The primary task is to increase accessibility to legally required public hearing notices
posted by the Town of Lexington. This involves enhancing the visibility and ease of
access for residents while maintaining the existing workflow of the Town Clerk’s Office
staff.
Challenges
1. Workflow Preservation:
o Maintain the current workflow of the Town Clerk’s Office staff.
o Avoid adding unnecessary or inconvenient steps to the existing process.
2. System Limitations:
o Work around the functional limitations of the CivicPlus CMS.
o Ensure modules that work together can still be updated separately.
3. User Accessibility:
o Prioritize ease-of-access for residents.
Proposed Solution
Utilize Existing Procedures: Modify the existing posting procedure to display public
hearing notices on the home page of the Town’s website.
1. Notice Reception:
o The Town Clerk’s Office (TCO) receives a public hearing notice.
2. Calendar Posting:
o Post the details (date, time, location, purpose) as a calendar item under three
categories:
Host Board, Committee, or Department (e.g., Planning Board)
Public Meetings Calendar
Public Hearing Notice Calendar (additional step)
o Category Selection:
The primary category is determined by the original posting location
deemed most appropriate by TCO staff.
The second and third categories are selected by checking a box at the
bottom of the posting screen.
3. Digital Copy Upload:
o Upload the digital copy of the notice to the Agenda Center.
o Enter the date corresponding with the calendar posting.
o Automatically add the document link from the Agenda Center to the previously
posted calendar item.
Final Posting Location
Once posted, residents will see active Public Hearing Notices on the homepage of the Town’s
website, directly above the News & Information section of the page. (See attached image)
Potential Rollout Date
The proposed posting procedure can be implemented immediately following Select Board
approval.
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Proclamation Request - Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day
PRESENTER:
Doug Lucente, Chair
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.2
SUMMARY:
Category: Decision-Making
The fourth Thursday of March each year has been recognized by many as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration
Day and observed as a day to honor the Tuskegee Airmen who risked their safety to fly dangerous missions
during World War II.
Sean Osborne, As a US Air Force veteran and member of the New England Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen,
Inc. is respectfully requesting the Lexington Select Board to approve and sign a proclamation for the fourth
Thursday of March each year to be recognized as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day
SUGGESTED MOTION:
Move to approve the proclamation for the fourth Thursday of March each year to be recognized asTuskegee
Airmen Commemoration Day
FOLLOW-UP:
Select Board Office
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025 6:55pm
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
2025 Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day Proclamation Backup Material
Town of Lexington, Massachusetts
SELECT BOARD OFFICE
Proclamation
WHEREAS: by the time the United States was drawn into World War II, African Americans aspired to more meaningful jobs in
the military, including the role of airplane pilot; and the rapid expansion of aircraft production to meet the demand
for air power during World War II in turn created a greater need for military pilots; and public outcry from people of
all races resulted in the United States War Department extending the opportunity to all military members to fly
airplanes, and
WHEREAS: The War Department's Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) Program authorized colleges and universities to train civilian
students in order to increase the number of civilian pilots, thus contributing to military preparedness; and
WHEREAS: The Tuskegee Institute in Alabama was one of six African American colleges and universities chosen to participate
in the CPT Program, and helped open the door for the first African American military pilots; and
WHEREAS: The outstanding performance and heroism of the Tuskegee Airmen was unprecedented in military aviation history
and key to the United States’ air success in the European theater during World War II; and
WHEREAS: Fifteen documented original Tuskegee Airmen pilots listed the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as their home state
as in addition other Massachusetts residents were part of the Tuskegee Experience as mechanics, meteorologists, and
other support staff positions; and
WHEREAS: Dr. William Childs Curtis, a former Lexington resident and member of the Church of Our Redeemer, while serving
as the Director of the School of Mechanical Industries at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, helped to develop and run a
special program to train Black pilots and mechanics for the Army Air Corps during World War II at Tuskegee,
Alabama; and
WHEREAS: Lt Col. George E. Hardy a former Massachusetts resident, was a famed “Red Tail” P-51 pilot of the 332nd Fighter
Group. Lt. Col. Hardy served in Systems Command, Electronic Systems division at Hanscom, Air Force Base, for
five-and-a-half-years; and
WHEREAS: March being a special month for the Tuskegee Airmen as it was the month that the first cadets received their silver
wings; the first maintenance crew began training at Chanute Field, IL; the first Pursuit Squadron (The 99th) was
activated; and President George W. Bush, in 2007, presented the Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee
Airmen;
NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE SELECT BOARD of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts, do hereby
proclaim the fourth Thursday of March each year to be recognized as
Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day
and call attention to all on March 27, 2025 the observance of these distinguished pilots for overcoming
obstacles to serve our country during World War II and for paving the way for others to follow their enduring
legacy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have set our hands and caused the seal of Lexington to be affixed herewith on the
10th of March, 2025.
DOUGLAS M. LUCENTE, CHAIR JOSEPH N. PATO
JILL I. HAI MARK D. SANDEEN
VINEETA JAY KUMAR
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Proclamation Request - Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library Day
PRESENTER:
Doug Lucente, Chair
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.3
SUMMARY:
Category: Decision-Making
On Sunday, April 13, 2025 the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library will kick off its 50th anniversary
celebration and rededication! This event will feature a rededication of the museum as well as the opportunity to
see “Protest & Promise: The American Revolution in Lexington” and “Looking Back, Moving Forward: 50
Years of Collecting.” This event launches a year of celebratory anniversary programming, including gallery
talks, engaging lectures, and new exhibitions.
Scottish Rite respectfully requests Select Board approval of the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library
Day Proclamation for this celebration. Jeffrey Croteau, Director of Library & Archives will be at the meeting
to answer any questions you may have.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
Move to approve the proclamation of Sunday, April 13, 2025 as Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library
Day
FOLLOW-UP:
Select Board Office
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025 7:05pm
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
2025 Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library Day Proclamation Backup Material
Town of Lexington, Massachusetts
SELECT BOARD OFFICE
Proclamation
WHEREAS, the observance of the 250th anniversary of the April 19, 1775 Battle of Lexington will bring the
approbation and attention of the nation and the world to the Town throughout April 2025 and
beyond; and
WHEREAS: The Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library is celebrating its 50th anniversary; and
WHEREAS: The Museum, previously known as the Museum of Our National Heritage and the National
Heritage Museum, has welcomed the Town’s citizens and visitors to over 300 exhibitions and
hundreds of programs over the past half century; and
WHEREAS: The Museum joins the Town and its citizens in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Battle of
Lexington by opening a new exhibition titled “Protest & Promise: The American Revolution in
Lexington”; and
WHEREAS: The Museum is a vital part of both the Munroe Historic District and the Lexington Cultural
District; and
WHEREAS: The Museum now looks back at the last fifty years and looks forward to the future as it fulfills its
mission “to engage and inspire the public and members of the Masonic fraternity through its
exhibitions, collections, publications, and programs. It aims to foster knowledge and appreciation
of America’s past and culture, with a focus on United States history, Freemasonry, and
fraternalism. It builds interest and support for its mission by emphasizing themes of patriotism,
fraternalism, inclusion, and personal and civic virtues.”
NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE SELECT BOARD of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts, do hereby recognize
April 20, 2025 as
Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library Day
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have set our hands and caused the seal of Lexington to be affixed herewith on the
10th
of March, 2025.
DOUGLAS M. LUCENTE, CHAIR JOSEPH N. PATO
JILL I. HAI MARK D. SANDEEN
VINEETA JAY KUMAR
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Presentation - 2025 ATM Warrant Article 23 - Dispose 116 Vine Street
PRESENTER:
Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town
Manager for Land Use, Housing and
Development
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.4
SUMMARY:
Category: Informing
Carol Kowalski will be available to answer any questions about Article 23, Vine St that will be
discussed at Annual Town Meeting 2025
SUGGESTED MOTION:
FOLLOW-UP:
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025 7:15pm
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Vine St slides Backup Material
Art 23 vine st motion Backup Material
Art 23 memo Backup Material
Article 23
Dispose of 116 Vine Street
Carol Kowalski
Assistant Town Manager for Development
3/4/2025 Annual Town Meeting 2025 1
Article 23, Vine Street
• Town purchased 30,000 square feet of land on Vine Street 2009
for community housing.
SITE
3/4/2025 Special Town Meeting 2024-1 2
Article 23, Vine Street
•In 2011 Lexington
Task Force studied
and prepared a
report and
recommendations.
3/4/2025 Special Town Meeting 2024-1 3
• 2021, CPA awarded $75,000 for LexHAB to meet with neighbors
Article 23, Vine Street
and commission designs. Per unit construction cost was toohigh because LexHAB was part of local government.
3/4/2025 Special Town Meeting 2024-1 4
Article 23, Vine Street
• In 2022, Special Town Meeting 3 authorized the Town to
petition the state legislature to allow LexHAB to become an
independent nonprofit housing development corporation, not a
part of the Town. That legislation took effect in September
2024.
3/4/2025 Special Town Meeting 2024-1 5
Article 23, Vine Street
• In order for the Town to have the housing developed on the
town-owned land, the Town must now procure a development
partner.
3/4/2025 Special Town Meeting 2024-1 6
Article 23, Vine Street
• Town Meeting authorization required for the Town to start the
procurement of a developer. This procurement would be done
by issuing a Request for Proposal.
• LexHAB would compete with other affordable housing
developers for this procurement.
3/4/2025 Special Town Meeting 2024-1 7
Article 23, Vine Street
• Without Town Meeting’s authorization, the objective of Town
Meeting’s 2009 purchase will be further delayed.
• No housing can be developed without Town Meeting
authorization.
• No other permanent use besides community housing can be
made of the land without Town Meeting authorization.
(end)
3/4/2025 Special Town Meeting 2024-1 8
Article 23
Dispose of 116 Vine Street
Carol Kowalski
Assistant Town Manager for Development
3/4/2025 Annual Town Meeting 2025 1
Article 23, Vine Street
• Town purchased 30,000 square feet of land on Vine Street 2009
for community housing.
SITE
3/4/2025 Special Town Meeting 2024-1 2
Article 23, Vine Street
•In 2011 Lexington
Task Force studied
and prepared a
report and
recommendations.
3/4/2025 Special Town Meeting 2024-1 3
• 2021, CPA awarded $75,000 for LexHAB to meet with neighbors
Article 23, Vine Street
and commission designs. Per unit construction cost was toohigh because LexHAB was part of local government.
3/4/2025 Special Town Meeting 2024-1 4
Article 23, Vine Street
• In 2022, Special Town Meeting 3 authorized the Town to
petition the state legislature to allow LexHAB to become an
independent nonprofit housing development corporation, not a
part of the Town. That legislation took effect in September
2024.
3/4/2025 Special Town Meeting 2024-1 5
Article 23, Vine Street
• In order for the Town to have the housing developed on the
town-owned land, the Town must now procure a development
partner.
3/4/2025 Special Town Meeting 2024-1 6
Article 23, Vine Street
• Town Meeting authorization required for the Town to start the
procurement of a developer. This procurement would be done
by issuing a Request for Proposal.
• LexHAB would compete with other affordable housing
developers for this procurement.
3/4/2025 Special Town Meeting 2024-1 7
Article 23, Vine Street
• Without Town Meeting’s authorization, the objective of Town
Meeting’s 2009 purchase will be further delayed.
• No housing can be developed without Town Meeting
authorization.
• No other permanent use besides community housing can be
made of the land without Town Meeting authorization.
(end)
3/4/2025 Special Town Meeting 2024-1 8
Article 23 Dispose of 116 Vine Street
The 2009 Annual Town Meeting authorized $2,763,100 in Community Preservation Act funds under
Article 12 to purchase “the Leary Farm”, a 14.2 acre parcel for conservation and affordable housing. The
housing parcel consists of a 30,000 square foot lot (0.7 acres) with frontage on Vine Street. The Leary
Property Community Housing Task Force, appointed by the Select Board in 2010, was charged with
recommending a plan for developing community housing on the property. A report issued in May 2011,
entitled “The Final Report of the Leary Property Community Housing Task Force”, recommended that
five or six units of affordable housing be built in one or two structures.
The 2020 Annual Town Meeting approved $75,000 in Community Preservation Act funds to construct
affordable housing at 116 Vine Street per Article 10 (m)(1). The Community Preservation Committee’s
report to 2022 Annual Town Meeting noted that this request was to select a design team, meet with
neighbors and stakeholders and develop the project scope, budget and schedule. The report includes a
status update noting that LexHAB met with the Vine Street neighbors in December 2020, the Select
Board on January 11, 2021 and with the neighbors for a second time on January 27, 2021 to present a
proposal for six units of affordable housing. No further action has been taken on this.
Town Meeting members may recall that 2022 Special Town Meeting 3 on November 2 approved an
article authorizing the Town to petition the state legislature to reorganize LexHAB as a nonprofit
affordable housing development corporation. This legislative action took effect September 4, 2024.
Article 23 would now authorize the Town to issue a Request for Proposals from qualified affordable
housing developers, including LexHAB, as the next step for the Town to pursue the development of
affordable housing at Vine Street.
An affirmative vote on Article 23 would allow the Select Board, or its designee, to work with the Town’s
Procurement Officer to prepare a Request for Proposals for affordable housing development at Vine
Street. The RFP would include the recommendations of the 2011 Task Force and the FY21 CPA funding
appropriation for design development, as well as noting meetings with neighbors in 2020 and 2021. The
Select Board would then choose a responsive developer through the proposal process, and would
negotiate and execute a Land Disposition Agreement for conveyance of the property by sale or long-
term lease, recording the terms and conditions laid out in the RFP. Actual development would follow
after the developer secures financing and completes final designs and permitting.
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Discussion - 2025 ATM Warrant Article 10H - Harrington Athletic Fields and Article 16E -
Central Administration Building Demolition
PRESENTER:
Carolyn Kosnoff, Assistant Town
Manager for Finance
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.5
SUMMARY:
Category: Informing
Board feedback is being requested on this agenda item.
Overview:
Two FY2026 Capital budget requests have dependencies that will need to be met to before moving forward,
Article 16E - Central Administration Demolition and Article 10H - Harrington Athletic Fields.
As identified and discussed in in the Town's capital planning process, the current Central Administration Office for
the School Department located in the Old Harrington School building at 146 Maple Street is rated an "F". The
Town's plan has been to move Central Admin to temporary space at 173 Bedford Street, demolish the Old
Harrington building, and repurpose the site at 146 Maple St. with new athletic fields managed by the Recreation
Department.
New permanent space for Central Administration is being incorporated into the "Bloom" design for the new
Lexington High School. A request for funding the new Lexington High School is expected at a Special Town
Meeting in Fall 2025, and funding will be contingent on a successful Proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion
referendum in late 2025.
Staff would like guidance from the Board on whether or not to make the Town Meeting motion for $3.5M to
fund demolition of the Central Admin/Old Harrington building contingent upon successful funding and debt
exclusion votes later this calendar year.
In considering this contingency there are some key points to note:
The previously approved $6M renovation of temporary space at 173 Bedford St. is underway, and the
Central Admin staff and operations are expected to move to 173 Bedford St in the Fall of 2025,
regardless of the LHS outcome described above.
Funding for demolition of Old Harrington is time sensitive and is part of a greater plan to create new
athletic fields. New fields at 146 Maple St. will address a longtime shortage of field hours, and is
expected to relieve some lost field space at the Center field complex as LHS is being reconstructed.
The Town expects to receive favorable pricing if the demolition work is completed in the winter/outside
construction season.
The funding source for demolition is General Fund unreserved fund balance (Free Cash) which must be
appropriated before June 30. If we pass this date Free Cash will not be available for appropriation until
after the FY2025 certification by DOR; i.e. the next Annual Town Meeting.
If the Town wanted to re-inhabit the Old Harrington building, it will need significant capital investment
first, including roof, windows, mechanicals systems, etc. which is estimated to cost $20M+.
If demolition is not approved either directly or by failed contingency Town staff expect the building
would be mothballed until new plans for programming and funding are developed.
The second item, Article 10H for Harrington Athletic Fields is practically contingent, not just by policy. This
funding request of $1.197M is for continued design, engineering and construction documents, as well as
preliminary site work for a new field complex at 146 Maple St. While some of the funding under this request
will be used to advance design, the Town could not move forward with site work or field construction if the
Old Harrington building were not demolished.
This appropriation of $1.197M from CPA funds is known to be a partial funding request, and a construction
contract could not be awarded until the remainder of the funding to construct fields is secured (expected for
the 2026 Annual Town Meeting).
SUGGESTED MOTION:
FOLLOW-UP:
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025 7:25pm
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Discussion - Select Board Report to 2025 Annual Town Meeting
PRESENTER:
Board Discussion
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.6
SUMMARY:
Category: Brainstorming
The Board is being asked to discuss drafting a Select Board Report to 2025 ATM to determine topic areas
and assign scribes.
For reference, attached is a list of the topics which were included in last year’s Select Board Report to 2024
Annual Town Meeting.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
N/A
FOLLOW-UP:
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025 7:35pm
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
List of topics in the 2024 Select Board Report to Town Meeting Backup Material
Copy of Select Board Report to 2024 Annual Town Meeting Backup Material
Copy of Select Board Report in the FY2024 Town Report Backup Material
Topics that were included in Last Year’s March 2024 ATM Report to Town
Meeting:
2024 ATM SELECT BOARD REPORT SECTIONS SCRIBED by
Message from the Select Board Joe
Select Board Goals Suzie
Budget and Finance Planning Doug
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Doug
Lexington High School Project Joe
Social Racial Equity Initiatives Mark
Municipal & School Building Projects Mark
Update on recent Home Rule Petitions Jill
2025: The 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington Suzie
SELECT BOARD
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
SELECT BOARD REPORT TO THE
2024 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
MARCH 18, 2024
Select Board:
Joseph N. Pato, Chair; Suzanne E. Barry, Vice-Chair; Douglas M. Lucente;
Jill I. Hai; Mark D. Sandeen;
Kim Katzenback, Executive Clerk
Table of Contents
Message from the Select Board Page 1
Select Board Goals Page 3
Budget and Finance Planning Page 6
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Page 7
Lexington High School Project Page 8
Social Racial Equity Initiatives Page 9
Municipal & School Building Projects Page 9
Update on Recent Home Rule Petitions Page 11
2025: The 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington Page 13
1
March 2024
Message from the Select Board
This report to Annual Town Meeting 2024 under Article 2 contains an update on issues and topics
the Board felt would be of interest to Town Meeting Members. This year we have included:
• an overview of Select Board goals and actions taken to achieve them;
• reflections on budget and finance planning;
• use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding;
• Lexington High School project;
• social & racial equity initiatives;
• update on municipal and school building projects;
• update on recent home rule petitions;
• 2025: the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington.
In addition, the Board would like to note Town Manager Jim Malloy’s plans to retire at the end
of September 2024. Mr. Malloy came to Lexington in 2018 and has provided skilled leadership
throughout the trying pandemic years. He brought to Lexington a deep background in financial
planning and established guidelines for the use of the Capital Stabilization Fund that will serve
to reduce the burden of big-ticket capital projects like the upcoming Lexington High School
project. In addition, Mr. Malloy has been a statewide and international leader serving on the
Board of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) and then as President of the
International City/County Management Association (ICMA). The Board looks forward to
continuing to work with Mr. Malloy until his retirement.
2
Should you have any questions or comments regarding this report, we encourage you to get in
touch with any member of the Board. Select Board meetings are generally held Monday evenings
at 6:30pm in the Select Board meeting room of the Town Office building, and via zoom. Board
members’ office hours as well as the Select Board meeting packets are posted at
https://www.lexingtonma.gov/755/Select-Board. We can be reached via email (below) or by
calling the Select Board Office (781-698-4580) to schedule a phone conversation or meeting.
● Joe Pato, Chair: jpato@lexingtonma.gov
● Suzie Barry, Vice-Chair: sbarry@lexingtonma.gov
● Jill Hai: jhai@lexingtonma.gov
● Doug Lucente: dlucente@lexingtonma.gov
● Mark Sandeen: msandeen@lexingtonma.gov
Respectfully submitted,
Lexington Select Board
Joseph N. Pato, Chair
Suzanne E. Barry, Vice Chair
Douglas M. Lucente
Jill I. Hai, Chair
Mark D. Sandeen
3
Select Board Goals
During the fall of 2023, the Select Board engaged Jon Wortmann to interview staff and Town Committees
to gather input for the upcoming two-year goal set. The Select Board met on October 11, 2023, to review
these aspirations and identified the Board’s top priorities. Each goal was assigned to one member of the
Board with a second member volunteering on some to assist as needed. During November and
December Board members worked with Mr. Wortmann to identify measurable actions against those
goals.
All goals will be continually reevaluated under core shared principles including:
• Our commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community that thrives on the
principles of respect, dignity, and fairness. We recognize that diversity enriches our community,
brings together unique perspectives, and strengthens our ability to effectively serve our residents.
This includes our ambition to:
o Increase and broaden diverse participation in our professional ranks and civic activities
o Welcome all people in Lexington
o Consider health in all decisions
o Provide recreation facilities for all
• Honoring our rich historic traditions and taking pride in Lex250th celebration events
• Diversifying the commercial tax base to reduce financial burdens on residents allowing more to
remain and lower the barriers for new residents to call Lexington home.
• Our commitment to being a sustainable and resilient community for all where we strive to:
o Reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
o Create cleaner indoor and outdoor environments, and
o Ensure all members of our community have access to the tools they need to
o Be resilient in a changing climate.
Goal #1: Enhance community vibrancy by increasing diversity of housing stock in size,
accessibility, and price (primary: Jill Hai assistant: Mark Sandeen)
Update:
• Article 33 at Annual Town Meeting 2024 seeks authority for the Select board to sell, lease or
otherwise dispose of Town owned land for the purpose of developing affordable housing. Any
proposal at this site would be required to be 100% affordable, and all units must qualify for and
be included in the Subsidized Housing Index.
• The Board allocated $1,455,000 in ARPA funds for the acquisition of housing units by LexHAB
in order to retain smaller one- and two-family houses, now included in the Subsidized Housing
Index
• The first proposal under the revised Special Residential Development bylaw, which is the
product of a Select Board appointed committee, has been introduced. Following the guidelines
created by the committee, it proposes two 2-family homes and two three family condominium
buildings, for 10 units in four buildings, rather than a conventional development of single family
homes. Eight of the 10 homes will be served by elevator, increasing their accessibility and 15% of
the gross floor area is dedicated to affordable housing. 40% of the developable lot is retained as
open space.
4
Goal #2: Recognize and minimize issues around construction preserving quality of life
(primary: Joe Pato, assistant: Mark Sandeen)
Update:
• Proposed revisions to the noise by-law to remove ambiguities about construction techniques and
the need for mitigation plans for consideration as Article 29a at the Annual Town Meeting 2024.
• Revised Noise Advisory Committee charge and began process to reconstitute the committee.
When formed, the committee will be tasked to create a process for revising the noise by-law to
establish noise limits appropriate to location or activity and clarify enforcement to be completed
no later than Annual Town Meeting 2025.
• The Tree Committee has brought 3 articles to Annual Town Meeting 2024 (34, 35, and 36)
providing additional protections for trees related to construction activities.
Goal #3: Create a more vibrant downtown (primary: Doug Lucente, assistant: Jill Hai)
Update:
• Prioritizing Initiatives: The Select Board heard the final report and recommendations from
consultants on March 6th, stemming from the community workshops held in Fall 2023 titled
"Lexington Center: The Journey Forward." These insights will be instrumental in refining and
prioritizing our downtown revitalization efforts.
• Diversifying Alcohol Uses: Progress is underway to allow more varied alcohol-related
experiences. Proposed bylaw amendments to allow Craft Beverage Establishments are
encapsulated in ATM Article 49. Pending a favorable decision from the Town Meeting,
subsequent actions will involve the Select Board re-evaluating our alcohol policies to support this
diversification.
• Streamlining Business Signage: Enhancements to the sign bylaw, aimed at simplifying signage
processes for businesses, are detailed in ATM Article 47. These changes await final adjustments
by the Planning Board and a positive vote at the Town Meeting, marking a significant step
towards a business-friendly downtown.
• Tourist-Focused Social Media Initiatives: In alignment with our goal to enhance downtown
vibrancy, the Semiquincentennial Commission has partnered with a communications firm. This
collaboration focuses on leveraging social media campaigns designed to attract tourists,
especially during the 250th-anniversary celebrations, further enriching our downtown's appeal.
These initiatives collectively represent our commitment to transforming Lexington's downtown into a
more engaging, accessible, and vibrant community hub.
Goal #4: Improve communication efficiency in Board meetings and with staff
(primary: Joe Pato, assistant: Suzie Barry)
Update:
• Working with staff to revise procedures for requesting an item on the Select Board agenda.
Guidelines for submission materials include logistical information, requested action, as well
common areas of concern that Board Members will want to see addressed. Completion expected
by end of Spring 2024.
• Exploring how to integrate the above procedures with new agenda management software that
will replace the now obsolete Novus Agenda package.
Goal #5: Transition to 100% renewable energy
(primary: Mark Sandeen)
5
Update:
• There are approximately 18 MW of solar energy systems currently installed in Lexington.
• There were 3.6 MW of new solar energy systems added in Lexington during 2023.
• Approximately 55 million kWh of Lexington’s commercial electricity usage is currently provided
from 100% renewable energy sources.
• The Town of Lexington has established the HeatSmart Advisor program to provide Lexington
residents who express an interest in converting their HVAC systems to heat pumps with the
educational resources, advice, and consultation to empower them to make the transition with
confidence. The program is now in its second year.
• There are currently 1,505 electric vehicles (6.2%) and 2,692 hybrid vehicles (11.3%) registered in
Lexington versus 19,889 internal combustion vehicles (82.5%) according to the Massachusetts
DOT vehicle census as of January 1, 2024. There were 431 additional electric vehicles registered in
Lexington in the last year. There were 358 additional hybrid vehicles registered in Lexington in
the last year.
• The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources approved Lexington’s application to
participate in the 10 Communities Demonstration Project with a start date of March 21, 2024.
• The first year of Building Energy Use Disclosure Data has been published on the Town website. -
https://www.lexingtonma.gov/1645/Building-Energy-Use-Disclosure
• Complete Net Zero Police Station – Construction is underway for the solar canopy structure,
which is expected to be completed by the Fall of 2024.
• Establish Net Zero design standards for the new high school design – The School Building
Committee has established design standards with the high school design team for a highly
efficient, net-zero, all-electric high school.
• Establish High Performance Building standards for existing municipal buildings – The Select
Board approved the High-Performance Buildings Policy on December 18, 2023.
• Complete Network Geothermal Feasibility Study – The Town of Lexington was awarded a grant
to complete this study and expects to issue a report by the end of 2024.
• Develop the Getting to Zero Emissions Transportation Plan
• Develop Town’s Fleet Charging Infrastructure Plan – Initial discussions are underway.
• Curbside Composting for one third of Lexington residents – The Select Board has approved the
use of ARPA composting from 2,000 households to 4,000 households or approximately one third
of Lexington residents.
• Become a Climate Leader Community
Goal #6: Advance age-in community initiatives for Lexington seniors
(primary: Doug Lucente)
Update:
While there has been no notable advancement on these initiatives by the Select Board at the local level, at
the state level, Governor Healey has filed the Municipal Empowerment Act, which introduces several
measures that could indirectly support Lexington's age-in-community initiatives. Key components
include:
• A new local-option means-tested property tax exemption for seniors, allowing cities and towns to
offer additional property tax exemptions to qualifying seniors based on specific income and asset
levels, residency duration, and homeownership.
6
• Extension of the local option for personal exemptions to seniors, blind persons, and others,
allowing those whose domiciles are held in trusts or other arrangements to qualify for
exemptions.
• Authorization for municipalities to increase existing senior property tax exemptions beyond the
current $500 limit.
These measures, if passed by the legislature, could provide a framework for Lexington to advance its
age-in-community initiatives, offering financial stability and support for seniors to maintain
independent living in their homes.
Goal #7: Raise community awareness and engagement with the high school project
(primary: Suzie Barry, assistant: Joe Pato)
Update:
• Working with the School Building Committee to publish and inform the community of
community meeting information and updates on the Town website and in Link to Lexington e-
newsletter with clear reference to LHS Project website.
Budget and Finance Planning
The Select Board is committed to ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainable growth through careful
budget and financial planning for FY2025, focusing on preserving the Aaa bond rating, avoiding operating
overrides, and planning for significant projects like the new Lexington High School. The FY2025 budget,
developed without a Proposition 2½ Operating Override, supports the Board's vision for Lexington,
emphasizing staffing, environmental initiatives, capital improvements, and infrastructure maintenance to
achieve a balanced financial plan that aligns with community priorities.
Staffing - The budget incorporates staffing expansions to address the operational needs arising from new
town bylaws and to continue investments in environmental initiatives, such as electric vehicles and
enhancing our food waste and composting program. Specifically, it funds new roles such as an Assistant
Superintendent of Public Grounds and a part-time Code Enforcement Officer, in response to the
requirements of new tree and noise bylaws, as well as fire and mechanical inspectors due to the uptick in
development from zoning bylaw modifications. These additions reflect the town's commitment to
managing increased service demands while adhering to stricter regulations.
Capital Improvement and Infrastructure - The Capital Improvement Program is designed to make timely
investments in town assets, enhancing public services. The FY2025 Capital Budget includes funds for the
new Lexington High School and allocates $6.0 million for renovations at 173 Bedford Street. This
renovation is crucial for reorganizing town assets in light of the high school project and will make the
building suitable for the School Administration staff during the construction period. The work involves
installing an elevator, replacing the HVAC system, adding a sprinkler system, and reconfiguring interior
spaces. Additional updates will be required after the Lexington Police Department relocates, especially to
improve accessibility, fire protection, and new electric HVAC systems.
Aaa Bond Rating - The Town of Lexington has maintained an Aaa credit rating, which is the highest credit
rating a municipality can receive. This rating, affirmed by Moody's Investors Service, reflects the town's
strong fiscal management, characterized by conservative budgeting, a sizeable and wealthy tax base,
healthy reserves and liquidity, and voter support for debt exclusions. Holding an Aaa rating allows the
7
town to borrow funds at the most favorable interest rates, providing significant financial advantages for
managing the town's debt and financing its projects.
Capital Stabilization Fund - The Capital Stabilization Fund (CSF) underwent a policy revision in Fall 2021
to allocate new levy growth from specified commercial and industrial development to the CSF, rather than
that growth becoming part of general revenue. This strategy aims to preserve levy capacity for managing
sudden increases in debt service for major capital projects, such as high school construction. For FY2025,
the budget maintains this approach, with $4,036,373 transferred to the CSF from the tax levy, consistent
with FY2024. This amount is expected to increase as new levy growth is calculated for FY2025, with an
additional transfer planned for the Fall 2024 Special Town Meeting. After this budget cycle, the CSF
balance will exceed $36.0 million. The CSF plays a crucial role in our fiscal strategy, setting aside new tax
levy growth for future capital projects. This approach allows us to build reserves for forthcoming capital
endeavors, particularly the renovation or reconstruction of Lexington High School. Our commitment to
this fund has not only provided tax relief to citizens by reducing debt service excluded from Proposition
2½ but also prepares us for significant capital projects ahead.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding
As we approach the conclusion of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding period, we are pleased
to present an update on the allocation and utilization of ARPA funds in our community. The Town of
Lexington was allocated a total of $9,903,381 in ARPA funds, aimed at addressing the impacts of the
COVID-19 pandemic and fostering recovery across critical sectors.
As of February 5, 2024, the Select Board has approved spending totaling $9,110,345. The funds have been
allocated to the following initiative areas:
• Economic Stimulus & Resiliency: The largest portion, approximately 37% of the funds, was
earmarked to support our local economy, including bolstering the cultural sector, aiding small
businesses, enhancing community events, updating digital platforms, improving public spaces,
and fostering bikeway mobility and engagement.
• Public Health & Safety: With 26% of the funding, this area focused on bolstering the town's
health department and public safety measures in response to the pandemic.
• Housing: 16% of the funds were allocated to address housing needs, ensuring support for those
affected by the pandemic in securing stable housing.
• Pandemic Response: 13% of the funds were directly used for pandemic-related expenditures,
including testing, vaccination programs, and other immediate health needs.
• PIRs (Program Improvement Requests): 6% of the funds have been utilized for enhancing the
Food Waste Program, acquiring a new electric vehicle for the Health Department, and
formulating an ADA Town Building Self Evaluation and Transition Plan.
• Food Insecurity: A smaller, yet crucial 2% of the funds addressed food insecurity, ensuring that
residents affected by the pandemic have access to necessary resources.
The Participatory Budgeting (PB) process implemented in the previous year, which actively engaged our
citizens in the decision-making process, leading to impactful community projects. However, given the
stipulation that all ARPA funds must be committed by December 31, 2024, the continuation of the PB
process will not be feasible this calendar year. Further, it is important to note that, despite concerted efforts,
the initiative to establish a Dog Park will not proceed due to the inability to identify a suitable location
within the time frames for ARPA spending. We extend our gratitude to all residents who participated in
the PB process, contributing valuable insights and demonstrating the strength of our community's
collective vision.
8
With an available balance of $899,974, the Select Board is dedicated to navigate the final phase of ARPA
fund allocation and utilization. The Select Board remains committed to ensuring that these resources are
deployed in a manner that maximizes benefits for our community, adhering to the guiding principles of
transparency, equity, and strategic impact.
Lexington High School Project
The Lexington High School project is likely to be the most ambitious and expensive project undertaken by
the Town of Lexington. Plans for this project have been brewing for years leading to the 2017 LHS
Visioning process, the 2019 LPS Strategic Plan and the creation of the Master Planning Advisory
Committee during the 2018-2019 year. In 2022 Lexington was invited into the Massachusetts School
Building Authority (MSBA) Eligibility Period beginning the current process for the project.
During 2023 the Lexington High School Building Committee (SBC) was involved in the steps outlined by
the MSBA in Module 2 Forming the Project Team. This phase of the project is where the Owner’s Project
Manager (OPM) and the Design team are selected. The OPM selection process concluded in May with the
selection of Dore + Whittier. The SBC then worked with the MSBA’s Designer Selection Panel and
ultimately selected SMMA as the preferred Designer for the project in October 2023.
The feasibility phase, MSBA Module 3, began in earnest in November 2023 and will continue through End
of May 2024. In this phase a minimum of three options must be identified. At least one option for repair
only, renovation, and new construction must be identified. The project team has begun to seek feedback
from the multiple town groups, committees, boards, and departments through focus group discussions
which are intended to be implemented in a 3-step approach: meeting 1 – listen to feedback from
stakeholders; meeting 2 – the design team will report back what they heard and clarify with the
stakeholders; meeting 3 – will be to have these focus groups make a recommendation on elements and
attributes of the project that the SBC should consider.
Detailed information about the project is publicly available at: https://lhsproject.lexingtonma.org The
current expected timeline for the LHS Project is illustrated below. 2024 Annual Town Meeting is being
asked to appropriate for design funds for the project of $10M via article 26. The next major funding action
by Town Meeting expected to occur at a Special Town Meeting near the end of 2025 followed by a town-
wide debt exclusion vote. Occupancy in the new or renovated facility is expected at the end of this decade
or early in the next.
Figure 1: Anticipated Timeline - all dates are subject to change.
9
Social Racial Equity Initiatives
The Select Board recognizes that social and racial injustice has deep roots. The Board has made a proactive
and ongoing commitment to engage in comprehensive and ongoing community conversations to better
understand community needs and to consider diversity, equity, and inclusion in policies and plans, all
with the goal of making Lexington a truly equitable community for all.
The Select Board has adopted Diversity, Equity & Inclusion as one of its goals, including a commitment to
develop and implement a comprehensive racial equity plan, consider racial and other equity impacts in
all decisions and planning processes, and incorporate the goals of Town Meeting’s systemic racism
resolution in each department’s goals and objectives. The Select Board recognizes that accomplishing these
goals will require a budgetary commitment to training and continuous improvement and has
recommended establishing a budget for accomplishing these goals.
The Chief Equity Officer (CEO) leads the Town in achieving these goals. The CEO is in the process of
updating job descriptions and expanding posting locations with the goal of encouraging a broader
applicant pool for Town staff positions. The CEO is also working with senior leadership to incorporate
more effective interviewing techniques with these goals in mind.
The CEO has initiated an internal equity audit in collaboration with an independent diversity, equity and
inclusion consulting organization. During this process 120 staff members participated in training sessions,
65 staff members participated in focus groups on racial identity, disability, management, women, and
LGBTQIA+ topics that were open to all staff. In addition, 40% of town staff answered a survey on equity
issues.
The CEO has started a compensation study, in collaboration with an independent human resources
consultant, considering internal pay equity and to ensure that salary ranges and benefits remain
competitive for all staff.
The CEO, in collaboration with the Police Chief, held six Coffee and Conversation with the Chief events,
with a total of over 40 residents having an opportunity to discuss community concerns with the Police
Chief.
The CEO collaborated with the Sustainability & Resilience Officer to develop a framework used by senior
leadership to consider Sustainability and DEI in staff’s day-to-day operational decisions and long-term
planning processes. This framework has been presented to the Select Board who encouraged a broad and
inclusive community-wide focus for these initiatives.
Update on Municipal and School Building Projects
The Board continues to address the issues of maintaining and improving our municipal and school
building infrastructure. The following section includes the current status of Lexington’s building projects.
The Lexington High School building project is covered in the Lexington High School section of this report.
Westview Cemetery Administration Building
Start Date: April 2022
Project Completion Date: August 2023
Project Budget: $4,330,000
Funding: ATM 2017-Article 12o /ATM 2020-Article 16k / STM 2021-1 Article 7
Design funding of $270,000 was approved at ATM 2017. Initial construction funding of $3,290,000 was
approved at ATM 2020 under Article 16k. Initial construction bids came in higher than the appropriated
amount. As a result, Town Meeting approved additional construction funding of $770,000 at STM 2021-1
10
under Article 7. Construction was completed and the building occupied in August 2023. During a
significant winter storm, a 100-foot pine tree fell on the building. Fortunately, no one was injured, however
the building did sustain minor damage. The roof has been temporarily patched and remains watertight.
The roof, insulation, decking, and drip edge will be replaced when temperatures are warmer. A solar
energy system will be installed in compliance with the Town’s net zero renewable energy policy goals.
Construction of the solar energy system is expected to be completed during the summer of 2024.
Lexington Police Station
Appropriation: $34,517,622
Status: Construction underway
Estimated Project Completion Date: Fall 2024
Funding: ATM 2018-Article 14 / STM 2021-1 Article 5a /STM 2022-1 Article 2 / ATM 2023 Article 16(i)
The new Police Station facility is being constructed in compliance with the Town’s Integrated Building
Design and Construction Policy and will be solar ready in furtherance of the Town’s net zero renewable
energy policy goals. The building design and construction includes all of the infrastructure necessary to
support onsite solar energy generation and energy storage systems designed to reduce the building’s
energy consumption and peak demand charges, while improving the building’s resilience in the event of
power outages and enabling high speed electric vehicle charging for the Police Department’s electric
vehicle fleet.
The solar energy canopy design went through an extensive public process to secure approval of a design
that is appropriate for the neighborhood and meets the requirements of the Historic Districts Commission.
The Historic Districts Commission issued a Certificate of Appropriateness in November 2023.
Construction of the footings for the canopy have begun. Solar canopy and energy storage system
construction is expected to be completed by the Fall of 2024 with a goal of having the solar canopy project
completed at the same time as the Police Station to maximize efficiencies with the site contractor.
Old Reservoir Bath House Renovation
Appropriation: $620,000
Funding: ATM 2019-Article 14g
Initial bids received by the Town exceeded the appropriation approved by Town Meeting. The
Department of Public Facilities and Recreation Department staff proposed design changes and
procurement alternatives to lower overall project costs. DPF went out to bid a second time and the bids
received were still well above the appropriation approved by Town Meeting. The Recreation Committee
is reviewing the current status and deliberating on next steps for this project.
Center Bathroom & Maintenance Building Renovation
Appropriation: $780,000
Project Completion Date: October 2024
Funding: ATM 2020-Article 16b / ATM 2021-Article 16g / ATM 2022-Article 10e
2020 Annual Town Meeting approved $100,000 in design and engineering funds for the Center Bathroom
building renovation project. At the 2021 Annual Town Meeting, the Select Board recommended indefinite
postponement of warrant article 16g requesting $915,000 in construction funding to a future Town
Meeting. 2022 ATM approved warrant article 10e requesting $680,000 in funding for this project. The
renovation of the Center Bathroom facility was completed in October 2024.
11
Update on Recent Home Rule Petitions
There are six home rule petition requests approved at recent Town Meetings that remain under
consideration by the legislature. No final action has been taken by the legislature on any of these petitions.
• STM 2020-2: Article 6 – Authorize Special Legislation Development Surcharge for Community
Housing (Citizen Petition)
Bill H.4314 (malegislature.gov) An Act authorizing a development surcharge for community
housing in the town of Lexington
Status: Reported favorably by the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government.
Referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling, reported out for second
reading. Second reading on 7/31/2022 and ordered to a third reading. No further action by the
end of the legislative session.
Refiled in the 193rd (Current) session of the legislature as Bill HD.3088.
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/HD3088
Status: House referred to committee on revenue 2/16/23, Senate concurred; Hearing 7/17/23
accepting written testimony only; House reporting date extended to 4/30/24 pending Senate
concurrence.
This may be mooted if Governor Healey’s Affordable Homes Act is adopted, which includes a
provision for local adoption of real estate transfer fees. The Select Board and Housing Partnership
have each voted unanimous support for the Real Estate Transfer Fee local option. More
information and financial analysis can be found here:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/the-affordable-homes-act-transfer-fee-
analysis#:~:text=The%20Affordable%20Homes%20Act%20includes,home%20price%2C%20whic
hever%20is%20greater
• ATM 2021: Article 26 – Petition General Court to Amend Legislation Regarding Permanent
Transportation Funding
Bill H.3892 (malegislature.gov) An Act authorizing the town of Lexington to establish transit
improvement districts.
Status: Referred to Joint Committee on Transportation, reported favorably after study. No further
action by the end of the legislative session.
Refiled in the 193rd (Current) session of the legislature as Bill H3704.
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/HD2481
Status: House referred to the committee on Transportation 3/30/23, Senate concurred; Joint
hearing scheduled 1/10/24
• ATM 2021: Article 29 – Clean Heat-Authorize Special Legislation to Regulate Fossil Fuel
Infrastructure and Adopt Bylaw Amendment Enabling Legislation
12
Bill H.3893 (malegislature.gov) An Act authorizing the town of Lexington to adopt and enforce
local regulations restricting new fossil fuel infrastructure in certain construction.
Status: Referred to Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
No further action by the end of the legislative session.
The need for this home rule petition has been largely made moot by Chapter 179 of the Acts of 2022
authorizing a demonstration program for municipal regulation of fossil fuels in new construction.
Lexington received approval to become one of the Participating Communities in the Department
of Energy Resources (DOER) Demonstration Project. The acceptance did suggest certain updates
to Lexington’s bylaw to comply with DOER’s regulations and those revisions are included in the
warrant for this Town Meeting as Article 38.
• ATM 2021: Article 36 – Authorize Special Legislation-Development Surcharge for Affordable
Housing (Citizen Petition)
Bill H.3891 (malegislature.gov) An Act to establish a surcharge on specific commercial
development activities for the purpose of funding the creation of community housing.
Status: Passed by the House but did not reach a third reading in the Senate. No further action by
the end of the legislative session.
Refiled in the 193rd (Current) session of the legislature as Bill HD.3085.
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/HD3085
Status: House referred to committee on revenue 2/16/23, Senate concurred; Joint hearing
scheduled for 7/25/23 written testimony only. Reporting deadline extended to 4/30/24.
• STM 2022-2: Article 3 – Amend General Bylaw to Allow Remote Participation at Hybrid Town
Meetings
Bill H.4876 (malegislature.gov) An Act authorizing the town of Lexington to allow remote
participation at town meetings
Status: Reported favorably by the committee on Election Laws and the committee on House
Steering, Policy and Scheduling. Concluded a second reading and ordered for a third reading. No
further action by the end of the legislative session.
Refiled in the 193rd (Current) session of the legislature as Bill HD.118.
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/HD118
Status: House referred to committee on Election Laws 2/16/23, senate concurred; Joint hearing
scheduled 6/21/23; reporting deadline extended to 3/19/24.
• STM 2022-3: Article 14 – LEXHAB Reorganization
Filed in the 193rd (Current) session of the legislature as Bill HD.119. An Act reorganizing the
Lexington Housing Assistance Board, Inc https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/HD119
Status: Filed as H3775 in the 193rd (Current) session of the Legislature. Transmitted to the Secretary
of State on 3/22/23 and returned to the House from the Secretary of State on 4/12/23. Referred to
13
the committee on housing on 4/13/23; joint hearing 6/26/23; reported favorably out of committee
and referred to House Steering, Policy and Scheduling on 10/18/23; House second reading and
ordered to third reading on 11/20/23; House third reading and passed to be engrossed on 12/7/23.
Senate read on 12/11/23; Senate second reading and ordered to third reading 1/18/24. Technical
suggestions by Senate counsel scheduled for discussion 3/12/24.
• STM 2023-1 Article 9 Rank Choice Voting for town wide offices
Filed as H.4223 in the 193rd (Current) session of the legislature. An Act Establishing Ranked Choice
Voting for Certain Offices in the Town of Lexington. Referred to House committee on Election
Laws 12/21/23, Senate concurred. House reporting date extended to 3/19/24.
2025: The 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington
The Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250) continued their work on helping the Town of
Lexington plan events for the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington. The
Semiquincentennial Commission-Lex250 continues to meet at least twice a month and
accomplishments in the past year include:
• forming a collaborative partnership with the towns of Arlington, Lincoln, Concord and
Minuteman National Historic Park so as to coordinate schedules and resources. This also
included signing an Inter Municipal Agreement (IMA) among the four town to share in
services in relation to the planning of events. The collaborative 250th towns met quarterly
in 2023 and now meet every other month in 2024.
• Working with the collaborative towns, the committee identified Saturday, April 19, 2025
as the day the majority of large events will take place in Lexington.
• Selected and hired a public relations firm to handle publicity, crisis communication and
dedicated website build and management.
• Added five additional members to the Semiquincentennial Commission-Lex250 with
experience in fundraising, transportation planning, publicity and security as we all as
added a second Select Board Member.
• Attended the America250 Press Conference in Boston for the 250th Anniversary of the
Boston Tea Party and also attended the quarterly meeting of REV250 the state level group
coordinating events related to the 250th anniversary.
• pHeld a successful community meeting update and information gathering session in late
January 2024 at the Community Center.
- 1 -
MESSAGE OF THE SELECT BOARD
Massachusetts law requires that the Select Board, prior to the Annual Town Meeting, issue an
Annual Report for use by the residents of the Town. The 2024 Annual Town Report presented
here provides, among other things, financial data relating to the Town for the fiscal year 2024,
covering the period from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. Additionally, the report includes
highlights of accomplishments from the many departments, boards, committees, and
commissions responsible for the governance of Lexington.
This Annual Town Report is just one of several ways for residents to stay informed about what
is happening in the Town. The Town’s website at lexingtonma.gov remains a valuable resource
for accessing information about meetings, budgets, and committee work. All meetings of the
elected boards—Select Board, School Committee, and Planning Board—are covered by
LexMedia, our Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) access provider, and broadcast by
all three of the Town’s cable television providers. Additionally, LexMedia continues to cover
other town meetings and community events.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for CodeRED, the Town’s emergency notification system,
which provides texts, emails, and automated phone calls about closings, detours, or
emergencies. You can also sign up for the Townwide news email, or periodic emails and e-
newsletters from specific departments and boards/committees. Follow the Town’s social media
accounts on Facebook and X.com for more real-time updates on town happenings.
The Select Board extends its thanks and appreciation to the Town Manager, James Malloy, his
exceptional staff, and the dedicated town employees whose hard work makes Lexington a
desirable place to live, work, and visit. The Select Board would like to formally acknowledge the
many residents who volunteer their time to serve on our boards, committees, and
commissions. Their tireless efforts contribute immensely to Lexington’s success and vitality. As
we move forward, the continued civic engagement of our community will be key to meeting
future challenges and ensuring that Lexington remains a vibrant and thriving Town for all.
Douglas M. Lucente
Joseph N. Pato
Suzanne E. Barry
Jill I. Hai
Mark D. Sandeen
SELECT BOARD
Five members, elected by the voters at-large to overlapping 3-year terms: Joseph N. Pato,
Chair, Suzanne E. Barry, Vice-Chair, Jill I. Hai, Douglas M. Lucente, and Mark D. Sandeen. In
March 2024, Ms. Hai was re-elected to a three-year term. At their annual reorganization after
the conclusion of Town Meeting in April, the Board appointed Mr. Lucente Chair and Ms. Hai
Vice-Chair.
FY2024 was a productive year for the Select Board, marked by progress in housing,
infrastructure, and sustainability. The completion of the Battle Green Streetscape Project
- 2 -
enhanced the accessibility and appeal of Lexington’s historic center, while the Town welcomed
new businesses to the Center and East Lexington, enriching the local economy and community
spaces.
The Select Board took significant strides in environmental sustainability, completing the new
solar-ready Police Station and advancing plans for additional solar energy projects expected to
be completed by Spring 2025. These efforts align with the Town’s long-term net-zero emissions
goals and continue to build Lexington’s reputation as a leader in sustainable development.
On housing, the Select Board established the Affordable Housing Trust and moved forward with
development plans on Town-owned property to address local housing needs. Lexington’s early
adoption of state-mandated MBTA zoning requirements set a precedent for inclusive and
diverse housing options.
A key focus of our fiscal and planning efforts this year has been the Lexington High School
Building Project, anticipated to be the largest capital project in the Town’s history. The Board is
working closely with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) through an ongoing
Feasibility Study. Final design and funding decisions are expected in the next fiscal year.
The Board also took action to address community concerns about the proposed Hanscom Field
expansion, working with neighboring towns to advocate against increased noise and
environmental impacts. Through careful planning, leveraging state and federal funds, and
prioritizing community engagement, the Select Board remains committed to ensuring balanced
growth and sustainability as the Town prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Battle
of Lexington in 2025.
Many of these initiatives are detailed further in the sections below. The Select Board remains
dedicated to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community. FY 2024 was a
testament to our collective resilience and commitment to proactive governance. We look
forward to continuing our work with residents, businesses, and community organizations to
make Lexington an even better place to live, work, and thrive.
Select Board Priorities for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Spending
The Town of Lexington was allocated a total of $ 9,903,381 in American Recue Act Funding
(ARPA), aimed at addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and fostering recovery
across critical sectors.
As of June 30, 2024, the Select Board has approved spending totaling $ 9,378,551 The funds
have been allocated to the following initiative areas:
Economic Stimulus & Resiliency: The largest portion, approximately 36% of the funds or
$3,331,261 was earmarked to support our local economy, including bolstering the cultural
sector, aiding small businesses, enhancing community events, updating digital platforms,
improving public spaces, and fostering bikeway mobility and engagement.
Public Health & Safety: With 27% of the funding or $2,515487, this area focused on bolstering
the town's health department, public safety, mental health measures and training in response
to the pandemic.
- 3 -
Housing: 15% of the funds or $1,440,545 were allocated to address housing needs, ensuring
support for those affected by the pandemic in securing stable housing.
Pandemic Response: 13% of the funds or $1,370,986 were directly used for pandemic-related
expenditures, including testing, vaccination programs, other immediate health needs and
technology upgrades.
PIRs (Program Improvement Requests): 6% of the funds or $540,204 have been utilized for
enhancing the Food Waste Program, acquiring a new electric vehicle for the Health
Department, and formulating an ADA Town Building Self Evaluation and Transition Plan.
Food Insecurity: A smaller, yet crucial 2% of the funds or $180,068 addressed food insecurity,
ensuring that residents affected by the pandemic have access to necessary resources.
The Participatory Budgeting (PB) process implemented in the previous year, which actively
engaged our residents in the decision- making process, leading to impactful community
projects. However, given the stipulation that all ARPA funds must be committed by December
31, 2024, the continuation of the PB process will not be feasible this calendar year. Further, it is
important to note that, despite concerted efforts, the initiative to establish a Dog Park will not
proceed due to the inability to identify a suitable location within the time frames for ARPA
spending. We extend our gratitude to all residents who participated in the PB process,
contributing valuable insights and demonstrating the strength of our community's collective
vision.
With an available balance of $524,830, the Select Board is dedicated to navigate the final phase
of ARPA fund allocation and utilization. The Select Board remains committed to ensuring that
these resources are deployed in a manner that maximizes benefits for our community, adhering
to the guiding principles of transparency, equity, and strategic impact.
Lexington High School Building Project
Updating Lexington High School through renovation and addition or as a new build is likely to
be the most ambitious and expensive project undertaken by the Town of Lexington. Planning
for this project has been ongoing for years leading to the 2017 LHS Visioning process, the 2019
LPS Strategic Plan and the creation of the Master Planning Advisory Committee during the
2018-2019 year. In 2022 Lexington was invited into the Massachusetts School Building
Authority (MSBA) program beginning the current process for the project. As required by the
MSBA, The School Building Committee (SBC) was appointed to oversee and facilitate the
project.
Progress and Milestones:
Significant FY24 Milestones:
Winter 2022, Completion of Module 1: Eligibility – The MSBA determined that the
district was eligible to proceed with developing a project and set the enrollment
capacity for the project to be 2395 students.
Fall 2023, Completion of Module 2: Formation of Team –
- 4 -
o Owner’s Project Manager – this firm provides project management guidance to
Lexington throughout the life of the project and shepherds the project through
the MSBA process. The MSBA accepted Lexington’s recommendation to hire
Dore and Whittier.
o Design Team – this is the architecture firm that develops the design for the
project. SMMA was hired having been the top finalist as determined by the
MSBA selection panel.
Ongoing, Module 3: Feasibility Study – in which the MSBA and Lexington stakeholders
will determine if a new high school is warranted or if a combination of new and
renovated spaces is the best path forward.
The design team held 5 community outreach sessions, numerous focus group meetings
and developed 18 project concepts that satisfy the educational program as presented to
the MSBA. In the spring of 2024, the School Building Committee reduced this set to 5.
Three of the concepts are new construction on existing fields. One concept is a partial
renovation with a substantial addition on the current area of the high school. One
concept is an all-new phased in-place construction project replacing the old high school.
Looking forward, the SBC expects to select a single concept in November of 2024. This
concept will be submitted to the MSBA and if accepted will be the subject of detailed
designs.
Financial Planning:
2024 Annual Town Meeting appropriated $10M for design funds for the project via article 26.
The next major funding action by Town Meeting is expected to occur at a Special Town Meeting
near the end of 2025 followed by a town-wide debt exclusion vote.
The Town established the Capital Stabilization Fund (CSF) almost a decade ago anticipating the
needs of large capital projects like the high school. A policy revision in Fall 2021 allocated new
levy growth from specified commercial and industrial development to the CSF, rather than that
growth becoming part of general revenue. The CSF plays a crucial role in our fiscal strategy and
this dedicated income stream is planned to be allocated to offset a portion of the debt service
for the high school project.
Challenges and Solutions:
Cost: For the past decade, the Town anticipated that this project would cost between
$350M and $500M. Preliminary ballpark estimates developed by professional estimating
firms, however, place the cost at more than $600M. The estimators have taken the
experience of other Massachusetts high school building projects and added Covid-era
construction inflation to develop these projections. Actual costs won’t be known until
the design is complete and construction bids have been submitted.
- 5 -
Enrollment Size: The MSBA authorized an enrollment target of 2395 students. This level
was increased from their initial target based on the likely effects of changes to zoning in
response to the MBTA Communities Act. Nonetheless, there is concern that the
community may grow larger than projected and that space will be insufficient. The
designers are including expansion plans in their proposals and the SBC is considering
including central administration space in the initial facility designed to be easily
converted to classrooms if needed. Note that the cost of necessary repairs at the old
Harrington School is roughly comparable to the cost of new space at LHS.
Athletic Programs: Some disruption to academic and municipal athletic programs is
anticipated. Some concepts involve relocating playing fields to the general area of the
existing high school if a new building is built on existing fields. In-place concepts, new
and renovation/addition, also disrupt some fields during construction to host temporary
classrooms and/or construction lay-down areas. Creation of new fields replacing the old
Harrington School (currently central administration) is being explored to mitigate some
of the disruption during construction but are not included in current cost projections.
Additional mitigation measures are being explored.
Field House and Aquatics: Some members of the community seek a new significantly
larger field house. Others seek the addition of an indoor pool facility. The MSBA does
not allow new field houses or pools to be included in a project. They do allow
renovations to existing field houses. Community discussions are ongoing to see if or how
these projects should be factored into the high school project.
Detailed information about the project is publicly available at:
https://lhsproject.lexingtonma.org The current expected timeline for the LHS Project is
illustrated below. Occupancy in the new or renovated facility is expected at the end of this
decade or early in the next.
Economic Development and Commercial Initiatives
In the past fiscal year, the Select Board has been working to support initiatives which stimulate
economic development and commercial expansion within the town, revitalize the downtown
- 6 -
area and support activation in East Lexington. Among the key strategies has been the formation
of strong partnerships with local business associations and individual businesses including
through the Select Board’s advisory committees, the Economic Development Advisory
Committee and the Center Committee. Additionally, the Select Board Chair and Vice Chair
continue to participate in the Quarterly Roundtable discussions organized by the Economic
Development Department. These meetings involve the Town Manager, two Select Board
Members, the Assistant Town Manager for Development, and Economic Development staff.
Business owners from various parts of the town, including the Center and East Lexington,
participate in these discussions to provide direct feedback on issues they face in opening,
operating and sustaining their businesses. This collaborative approach has allowed the Board to
understand unique challenges faced by local businesses.
In November 2023, the Select Board engaged Mullin Associates and Fuss and O’Neill to conduct
a community charette on our collective vision and opportunities for the Center. Approximately
150 residents participated over two days of workshops to create guidance and incentives
toward the future of a vibrant, prosperous, walkable center. The report - “Lexington Center:
The Journey Forward”. (https://lexingtonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11364/Center-Charrette-
Report?bidId=) is available on the Select Board webpage.
The Battle Green Streetscape project was completed during FY24. Aimed at enhancing
pedestrian and traffic safety, this initiative also serves to support connectivity and accessibility.
Several new proposals, compliant with the zoning changes introduced via the MBTA Zoning
initiative were also introduced.
Welcoming new businesses continues to be a focus of the Board. In FY24 we welcomed three
delicious new small businesses to Lexington Center, Nouve Bakery, Galaray House and Revival
Café, as well as two new life science facilities, Novo Nordisk and Nikon. These new businesses
not only diversify the local economy and provide jobs and new gathering spots for the
community, but also add to the town's tax revenue.
The new state designation of our cultural district, which spans Massachusetts Avenue from
Hastings Park to Pleasant Street, is poised to become a focal point for both cultural and
economic growth. Preparations for the 250th anniversary of the historic Battle of Lexington in
2025 are in full swing, with kick off events held on April 19, 2024 attracting state leaders and
international diplomats.
Financial investments have also been strategically employed to stimulate growth. Among these
were funding for the new tourism website (https://www.tourlexington.us), the continuing Senior
Parking Pass Program, which offers free parking to residents aged 65 or older, and the
allocation of ARPA funds for arts and culture events. Additionally, ARPA funds have been
deployed to improve connectivity between East Lexington businesses and the Minuteman
Bikeway.
The Select Board aims to achieve a harmonious balance between economic growth and
community values; providing access to a diverse mix of businesses and fostering quality job
opportunities across various industries. Furthermore, the Board is committed to a balanced tax
policy that benefits both residents and businesses. Through these multifaceted initiatives,
Lexington is striving for a future that is economically robust and inclusively sustainable.
- 7 -
Housing Initiatives and Updates
Affordable Housing Trust: One of the Select Board’s goals is “increasing diversity of housing
stock”. Town Meeting adopted a motion creating the Lexington Affordable Housing Trust (AHT)
via Article 12 of STM 22-3. The AHT was officially established February 28, 2023. Annual Town
Meeting 2023 and 2024 approved funding of the AHT. This funding allows the AHT to operate
nimbly in the market, independent of Town Meeting timing. The Affordable Housing Trust
approved funding requests from LexHAB to enable the purchase of two properties, a 2-family
home and a single-family home with 4 bedrooms.
Annual Town Meeting 2024 also approved Article 33 by a vote of 171-5-5, authorizing the Select
Board to seek affordable housing on Town owned property located on Lowell Street near the
northeast corner of North Street. The Select Board has issued an RFP seeking proposals to build
100% affordable housing on this parcel.
Zoning Initiatives: State law adopted in 2021 requires all communities served by, or adjacent to
communities served by, the MBTA to adopt zoning which permits by-right, multi-family housing
under specific conditions. The Planning Board brought Article 34 to Annual Town Meeting 2023
to fulfill these requirements and further the goals of the Town’s 2022 Comprehensive Plan.
Article 34 created several overlay districts with inclusionary housing requirements. Lexington
was widely recognized as the first community to fulfill this state obligation. Town staff are
currently reviewing multi-family housing proposals in several MBTA zoning overlay districts that
are expected to produce over 1,000 units of multi-family housing and over 150 units of
inclusionary housing.
Annual Town Meeting 2023 approved Article 33 Special Residential Development (SRD) by a
vote of 146-22-10. The Planning Board has approved the first SRD proposal for 10 units of
housing, including one unit of inclusionary housing.
Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB): The Select Board allocated $1,455,000 in
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the acquisition of one- and two-family houses by
LexHAB, which are now included in the Subsidized Housing Index.
Special Town Meeting 2022-3 overwhelmingly approved Article 14, authorizing the Select Board
to submit a Home Rule Petition to amend LexHAB’s enabling legislation, to make it an
independent non-profit entity. Upon approval, LexHAB will become a 501(c)(3) organization,
able to use a combination of state, federal, and private funding sources to acquire or develop
affordable housing. This will enhance LexHAB’s ability to create affordable housing more
efficiently and cost effectively. The Select Board approved changes to the proposed Home Rule
legislation requested by the legislature. Final legislative approval is expected before the end of
2024.
Update on Municipal Building Projects
The Board continues to address the issues of maintaining and improving our municipal and
school building infrastructure. The following section includes the current status of Lexington’s
building projects. The Lexington High School building project is covered in the Lexington High
School section of this report.
- 8 -
Westview Cemetery Administration Building
Start Date: April 2022
Project Completion Date: August 2023
Project Budget: $4,330,000
Funding: ATM 2017-Article 12o /ATM 2020-Article 16k / STM 2021-1 Article 7
Design funding of $270,000 was approved at ATM 2017. Initial construction funding of
$3,290,000 was approved at ATM 2020 under Article 16k. Initial construction bids came in
higher than the appropriated amount. As a result, Town Meeting approved additional
construction funding of $770,000 at STM 2021-1 under Article 7. Construction was completed
and the building occupied in August 2023. A solar energy system will be installed in compliance
with the Town’s net zero renewable energy policy goals. Construction of the solar energy
system is expected to be completed during the summer of 2024.
Lexington Police Station
Appropriation: $34,517,622
Status: Police Station Construction Complete – June 2024
Funding: ATM 2018-Article 14 / STM 2021-1 Article 5a /STM 2022-1 Article 2 / ATM 2023 Article
16(i)
The Lexington Police Department moved into the new Police Station facility in June 2024. The
Police Station building was constructed in compliance with the Town’s Integrated Building
Design and Construction Policy and is solar ready in furtherance of the Town’s net zero
renewable energy policy goals. The building design and construction includes all of the
infrastructure necessary to support onsite solar energy generation and energy storage systems
designed to reduce the building’s energy consumption and peak demand charges, while
improving the building’s resilience in the event of power outages and enabling high speed
electric vehicle charging for the Police Department’s electric vehicle fleet.
The solar energy canopy design went through an extensive public process to secure approval of
a design that is appropriate for the neighborhood and meets the requirements of the Historic
Districts Commission. The Historic Districts Commission issued a Certificate of Appropriateness
in November 2023. Construction of the footings for the canopy has been completed. Solar
canopy and energy storage system construction is expected to be completed by the Spring of
2025.
Old Reservoir Bath House Renovation
Appropriation: $620,000
Status: Construction start July 2024
Funding: ATM 2019-Article 14g
Initial bids received by the Town exceeded the appropriation approved by Town Meeting. The
Department of Public Facilities and Recreation Department staff proposed design changes and
procurement alternatives to lower overall project costs. DPF went out to bid a second time and
the bids received were still well above the appropriation approved by Town Meeting. The
Department of Public Facilities is now working with the Lexington Recreation Department to
renovate the inside of the building to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
requirements as recommended in the 2017 ADA study.
A new standing seam metal roof has been installed and site work is underway. The renovations
will include a check-in counter and program space, as well as three ADA rest rooms with hands
- 9 -
free fixtures. ADA parking will also be added at the head of the trail to the building. The
renovation project will also address accessibility issues in the Bathhouse, as well as the walkway
and surrounding site. The project is due to be completed by the end of 2024.
Center Bathroom & Maintenance Building Renovation
Appropriation: $780,000
Project Completion Date: November 2023
Funding: ATM 2020-Article 16b / ATM 2021-Article 16g / ATM 2022-Article 10e
2020 Annual Town Meeting approved $100,000 in design and engineering funds for the Center
Bathroom building renovation project. At the 2021 Annual Town Meeting, the Select Board
recommended indefinite postponement of warrant article 16g requesting $915,000 in
construction funding to a future Town Meeting. 2022 ATM approved warrant article 10e
requesting $680,000 in funding for this project. The renovation of the Center Bathroom facility
was completed in November 2023 with an official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony in April
2024.
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Presentation - 2025 ATM Warrant Zoning Articles
PRESENTER:
Abby McCabe, Planning Director and
Michael Schanbacher, Planning Board
Chair
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.7
SUMMARY:
Category: Informing
SUGGESTED MOTION:
FOLLOW-UP:
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025 7:45pm
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Art 29 bicycle motion (Refer PB)Backup Material
Art 30 inclusionary housing presentation Presentation
Art 33 accessory presentation Presentation
PB zoning article overview (Art 29-33)Presentation
PB Zoning Amendment language- motions draft Art 29-33 Backup Material
ARTICLE 29 AMEND ZONING BYLAW - BICYCLE PARKING
MOTION:
That this article be referred back to the Planning Board.
(03/04/2025)
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
1
Annual Town
Meeting
2025
Article 30
Amend Zoning Bylaw —Inclusionary Housing for Special Residential Developments
Inclusionary Housing in SRDs
•The amount of inclusionary (affordable) housing in a Special Residential
Development is currently 15% of the largest development that could be built,
creating a strong incentive to always build the largest possible development.
•Basing the amount of inclusionary housing on the development as actually
proposed makes smaller developments feasible, allowing developers to respond to
concerns about size.
Annual Town Meeting 2025 22025-02-20
Zoning Text
6.9.8.1 Inclusionary Dwelling Units.
a.At least 15% of the total gross floor area of all dwelling units other than inclusionary dwelling unitssum of (1) the total area of all lots in the proof plan multiplied by 0.16 and (2) 4,550 square feet
multiplied by the number of lots shown on the proof plan shall be incorporated into inclusionary
dwelling units, as defined by regulations promulgated by the Planning Board pursuant to §6.9.8.5 (the "inclusionary GFA"). At least two-thirds of the inclusionary GFA shall be incorporated into dwelling units eligible for inclusion on the Town's Subsidized Housing Inventory as determined by the Massachusetts
Department of Housing and Community Development EOHLC and shall remain affordable in
perpetuity.
6.9.8.6 A special residential development with six or fewer market-rate dwelling units shall be permitted to meet the requirements of this section by making a payment to the Town's Affordable Housing Trust in
an amount equal to the estimated construction cost of 15% of the total gross floor area of all dwelling
units other than inclusionary dwelling units GFA permitted under the proof plan submitted pursuant to §6.9.4, as determined in accordance with regulations to be promulgated by the Planning Board.
Annual Town Meeting 2025 32025-02-20
Annual Town
Meeting
2025
Article 33
Amend Zoning Bylaw —Accessory Uses
Bylaw Enforcement
3.2.1 General. Any use or structure not listed as an accessory use in Table 1 is
permitted as an accessory use provided it is a use or structure that is customary and
incidental to a principal use or structure permitted by Table 1 and conforms to all
other provisions of this bylaw, and complies with all other Town bylaws or General
Laws.
Annual Town Meeting 2025 2
It is not appropriate or practical to enforce non-zoning bylaws
through the Zoning Bylaw.
•Permit-granting and enforcement entities do not have the
necessary expertise.
•Bylaws should be enforced by the entities they designate.
2025-02-20
Bicycle Parking Requirements
Article 29: Amend Zoning Bylaw –Bicycle Parking
Planning Board recommends Town Meeting refer this
article back to the Planning Board.
Annual Town Meeting 2025 1
Annual Town
Meeting
2025
Article 30
Amend Zoning Bylaw —Inclusionary Housing for Special Residential Developments
Inclusionary Housing in SRDs
•The amount of inclusionary (affordable) housing in a Special Residential
Development is currently 15% of the largest development that could be built,
creating a strong incentive to always build the largest possible development.
•Basing the amount of inclusionary housing on the development as actually
proposed makes smaller developments feasible, allowing developers to respond to
concerns about size.
Annual Town Meeting 2025 22025-02-20
Zoning Text
6.9.8.1 Inclusionary Dwelling Units.
a.At least 15% of the total gross floor area of all dwelling units other than inclusionary dwelling unitssum of (1) the total area of all lots in the proof plan multiplied by 0.16 and (2) 4,550 square feet
multiplied by the number of lots shown on the proof plan shall be incorporated into inclusionary
dwelling units, as defined by regulations promulgated by the Planning Board pursuant to §6.9.8.5 (the "inclusionary GFA"). At least two-thirds of the inclusionary GFA shall be incorporated into dwelling units eligible for inclusion on the Town's Subsidized Housing Inventory as determined by the Massachusetts
Department of Housing and Community Development EOHLC and shall remain affordable in
perpetuity.
6.9.8.6 A special residential development with six or fewer market-rate dwelling units shall be permitted to meet the requirements of this section by making a payment to the Town's Affordable Housing Trust in
an amount equal to the estimated construction cost of 15% of the total gross floor area of all dwelling
units other than inclusionary dwelling units GFA permitted under the proof plan submitted pursuant to §6.9.4, as determined in accordance with regulations to be promulgated by the Planning Board.
Annual Town Meeting 2025 32025-02-20
Article 31
Amend Zoning Bylaw –National Flood
Insurance (NFI) District (Sec. 7.1)
3/7/2025 Annual Town Meeting 2025 1
Flood Insurance Rate MAP (FIRM)
•FEMA’s updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps finalized
•Effective on July 8, 2025
•Municipal Regulations and Standards must be adopted to
participate in the National Flood Insurance Program
•New map panels
•Zoning Bylaw updated to match FEMA’s Model Bylaw
3/7/2025 Annual Town Meeting 2025 2
National Flood Insurance
•Zoning Bylaw Section 7.1 National Flood Insurance (NFI)
District amended as follows:
•Updates purpose
•References July 8, 2025 Flood Maps
•Requires base flood elevations for each parcel in developments >5
acres
•Adds in notifications to MA DCR, FEMA, & adjacent communities
•Additional prohibitions in Zones AE
•Permits required for development in Floodplain Overlay District
•State variance provisions
•Adds new definitions and FEMA’s recommended language
3/7/2025 Annual Town Meeting 2025 3
FEMA Flood Map Center link
3/7/2025 Annual Town Meeting 2025 4
Each FIRM Map Panels
•On Planning Board Annual Town Meeting webpage
3/7/2025 Annual Town Meeting 2025 5
Article 32
Technical Corrections
2025 Annual Town Meeting
Article 32 Technical Corrections
•Delete §135-9.4.1.1.a. Reference to the old Special
Permit Residential Development
•Amend §135-5.5.8 by deleting “or a special permit with
site plan review”
•Amend §135-5.5.9 by deleting “or special permit with site
plan review”
Annual Town Meeting 2025 2
Annual Town
Meeting
2025
Article 33
Amend Zoning Bylaw —Accessory Uses
Bylaw Enforcement
3.2.1 General. Any use or structure not listed as an accessory use in Table 1 is
permitted as an accessory use provided it is a use or structure that is customary and
incidental to a principal use or structure permitted by Table 1 and conforms to all
other provisions of this bylaw, and complies with all other Town bylaws or General
Laws.
Annual Town Meeting 2025 2
It is not appropriate or practical to enforce non-zoning bylaws
through the Zoning Bylaw.
•Permit-granting and enforcement entities do not have the
necessary expertise.
•Bylaws should be enforced by the entities they designate.
2025-02-20
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
ARTICLE 29 AMEND ZONING BYLAW – BICYCLE PARKING
MOTION:
That the Zoning Bylaw, Chapter 135 of the Code of Town of Lexington, be amended as follows:
1. Replace §135-5.1.8 with the following:
5.1.8 Bicycle Parking Facilities.
1. Long-term bicycle parking for employees and residents.
a. Where §5.1.4 requires 9 or more motor vehicle parking spaces on a lot for office, manufacturing,
research or laboratory uses, at least 1 long-term bicycle parking space shall be provided. One
additional long-term bicycle parking space shall be provided for each additional 30 required
motor vehicle parking spaces.
b. For multi-family housing, at least 1.5 long-term bicycle parking spaces per dwelling unit shall be
provided.
c. Long-term bicycle parking shall be protected from the elements and in a secure location.
2. Short-term bicycle parking for customers and visitors.
a. Where §5.1.4 requires 9 or more motor vehicle parking spaces on a lot for office, manufacturing,
research or laboratory uses, at least 1 short-term bicycle parking space shall be provided. One
additional short-term bicycle parking space shall be provided for each additional 30 required
motor vehicle parking spaces.
b. Where §5.1.4 requires 9 or more motor vehicle parking spaces on a lot for other nonresidential
uses, at least 2 short-term bicycle parking spaces shall be provided.
c. For multi-family housing, at least 0.1 short-term bicycle parking spaces per dwelling unit shall
be provided.
d. Short-term bicycle parking spaces shall be visible and convenient to a building entrance, be
visible (where possible) from a public way, and be at least two feet from any wall or other
obstruction.
3. Design.
a. Bicycle parking shall not cause obstruction of pedestrian or motor vehicle traffic.
b. Bicycle parking shall be situated in such a way that normal snow removal activities and snow
storage do not impact the bicycle parking facility.
c. Each bicycle parking space shall be sufficient to accommodate a bicycle six feet in length and
two feet in width.
d. Bicycle parking spaces shall include apparatus to which the frame and wheel of a parked bicycle
may be attached; installed in a visible location to deter vandalism and theft; and permanently
mounted to the ground or to a building or other immovable structure. Inverted-U-frame or other
racks that support the bicycle at two or more points above the center of gravity are required.
e. Where there are multiple rows of bicycle parking there shall be a pedestrian aisle with clearance
of a minimum of five feet between bicycle racks.
4. Site Plan Review. For projects requiring site plan review, the Planning Board may waive any provisions
of this §5.1.8.
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
(3/4/2025)
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
ARTICLE 30 AMEND ZONING BYLAW – INCLUSIONARY HOUSING FOR
SPECIAL RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS
MOTION:
That the Zoning Bylaw, Chapter 135 of the Code of the Town of Lexington, be amended as
follows, where struck through text is to be removed and underlined text is to be added:
1. Amend § 135-6.9.8 as follows:
1. Inclusionary Dwelling Units.
a. At least 15% of the total gross floor area of all dwelling units other than inclusionary
dwelling units sum of (1) the total area of all lots in the proof plan multiplied by 0.16 and
(2) 4,550 square feet multiplied by the number of lots shown on the proof plan shall be
incorporated into inclusionary dwelling units, as defined by regulations promulgated by
the Planning Board pursuant to § 6.9.8.5 (the "inclusionary GFA"). At least two-thirds of
the inclusionary GFA shall be incorporated into dwelling units eligible for inclusion on
the Town's Subsidized Housing Inventory as determined by the Massachusetts
Department of Housing and Community Development EOHLC and shall remain
affordable in perpetuity.
6. A special residential development with six or fewer market-rate dwelling units shall
be permitted to meet the requirements of this section by making a payment to the Town's
Affordable Housing Trust in an amount equal to the estimated construction cost of 15%
of the total gross floor area of all dwelling units other than inclusionary dwelling units
GFA permitted under the proof plan submitted pursuant to § 6.9.4, as determined in
accordance with regulations to be promulgated by the Planning Board.
(3/4/2025)
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
ARTICLE 31 AMEND ZONING BYLAW -NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE
(NFI) DISTRICT
MOTION:
That the Zoning Bylaw, Chapter 135 of the Code of the Town of Lexington, be amended as
follows, where struck through text is to be removed and underlined text is to be added, and further
that non-substantive changes to the numbering of this Bylaw be permitted to comply with the
numbering format of the Code of the Town of Lexington.
1) Amend § 135-7.1 as follows:
7.1 NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE (NFI) DISTRICT.
7.1.1 Purpose. The purpose of this district is to insure public safety through reducing the threats
to life and personal injury; eliminate new hazards to emergency response officials; prevent the
occurrence of public emergencies resulting from water quality, contamination, and pollution due
to flooding; avoid the loss of utility services which if damaged by flooding would disrupt or shut
down the utility network and impact regions of the community beyond the site of flooding;
eliminate costs associated with the response and cleanup of flooding conditions, and reduce
damage to public and private property resulting from flooding waters.
1. Ensure public safety through reducing the threats to life and personal injury;
2. Eliminate new hazards to emergency response officials;
3. Prevent the occurrence of public emergencies resulting from water quality, contamination, and
pollution due to flooding;
4. Avoid the loss of utility services which if damaged by flooding would disrupt or shut down the
utility network and impact regions of the community beyond the site of flooding;
5. Eliminate costs associated with the response and cleanup of flooding conditions, and
6. Reduce damage to public and private property resulting from flooding waters.
7.1.2 Overlay District. The NFI District shall not supersede other zoning districts but shall be
deemed to be superimposed over these other zoning districts.
7.1.3 Location. The NFI District includes all special flood hazard areas within the Town of
Lexington designated as Zone A and AE on the Middlesex County, Massachusetts Flood Insurance
Rate Map (FIRM) dated July 8, 2025 issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) for the administration of the National Flood Insurance Program. The map panels of the
Middlesex County FIRM that are wholly or partially within the Town of Lexington are panel
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
numbers 0382F, 0384F, 0392E, 0401E, 0402E, 0403E, 0404E, 0408E, 0411E, 0412E, 0414E, and
0416E, in effect as of July 6, 2016. The exact boundaries of the District may be defined by the 1%-
change (one-hundred-year) base flood elevations shown on the FIRM and further defined by the
Middlesex County Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report, in effect dated July 8, 2025 6, 2016. The
FIRM and FIS report are incorporated herein by reference and are on file with the Town Clerk,
Planning Board, Building Official, Conservation Commission, and Engineering office and
available on the Town website.
7.1.4 Base Flood Elevation and Floodway Data.
1. Floodway data. In Zones A and AE, along watercourses within the Town of Lexington
that have not had a regulatory floodway designated, the best available federal, state, local,
or other floodway data shall be used to prohibit encroachments in floodways which would
result in any increase in flood levels within the community during the occurrence of the
base flood discharge.
2. Base flood elevation data. Base flood elevation data is required for subdivision proposals
or other developments greater than 50 lots or five acres (whichever is less), the proponent
must provide technical data to determine base flood elevations for each developable parcel
shown on the design plans. , whichever is the lesser, within unnumbered A Zones.
7.1.5 Notification of Watercourse Alteration. In a riverine situation, the Conservation
Floodplain Administrator shall notify the following of any alteration or relocation of a
watercourse: adjacent communities, NFIP State Coordinator, and NFIP Program Specialist.
1. Adjacent communities,
2. NFIP State Coordinator, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and
3. NFIP Program Specialist, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region I.
7.1.6 Use Regulations.
1. All man-made changes to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to
building or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling
operations in the NFI District, including structural and nonstructural activities, whether
permitted by right or by special permit must be in compliance with MGL c. 131, § 40 and
with the following:
a. Sections of the Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR) which address
floodplain and coastal high hazard areas;
b. Wetlands Protection Regulations, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
(currently 310 CMR 10.00);
c. Inland Wetlands Restriction, DEP (currently 310 CMR 13.00);
d. Minimum Requirements for the Subsurface Disposal of Sanitary Sewage, DEP
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
(currently 310 CMR 15, Title 5);
2. Any variances from the provisions and requirements of the above-referenced state
regulations may only be granted in accordance with the required variance procedures of these
state regulations.
3. In Zones AE, along watercourses within the Town of Lexington that have a regulatory
floodway designated on the Middlesex County FIRM Map, encroachments are prohibited in
the regulatory floodway including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other
development within the adopted regulatory floodway unless it has been demonstrated through
hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard engineering
practice that the proposed encouragement would not which would result in any increase in
flood levels within the community during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
4. All subdivision proposals must be designed to assure that:
a. Such proposals minimize flood damage;
b. All public utilities and facilities are located and constructed to minimize or
eliminate flood damage; and
c. Adequate drainage is provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards.
5. Existing contour intervals of site and elevations of existing structures must be included
on plan proposal.
7.1.7 Floodplain Administrator.
The Town Manager or their designee shall serve as the official Floodplain Administrator for
the Town of Lexington.
7.1.8 Permits Required.
Permits are required for all proposed development in the Floodplain Overlay District, as
required by the Floodplain Administrator or their designee. The Town requires a permit for all
proposed construction or other development in the floodplain overlay district, including new
construction or changes to existing buildings, placement of manufactured homes, placement
of agricultural facilities, fences, sheds, storage facilities or drilling, mining, paving and any
other development that might increase flooding or adversely impact flood risks to other
properties.
7.1.9 Assure that all necessary permits are obtained.
The Town’s permit review process includes the requirement that the proponent obtain all local,
state and federal permits that will be necessary in order to carry out the proposed development
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
in the floodplain overlay district. The proponent must acquire all necessary permits, and must
demonstrate that all necessary permits have been acquired.
7.1.10 In A Zones, in the absence of FEMA BFE data and floodway data, the building department
will obtain, review and reasonably utilize base flood elevation and floodway data available
from a Federal, State, or other source as criteria for requiring new construction, substantial
improvements, or other development in Zone A and as the basis for elevating residential
structures to or above base flood level, for floodproofing or elevating nonresidential structures
to or above base flood level, and for prohibiting encroachments in floodways.
7.1.11 In A and AE Zones, all recreational vehicles to be placed on a site must be elevated and
anchored in accordance with the zone’s regulations for foundation and elevation requirements
or be on the site for less than 180 consecutive days or be fully licensed and highway ready.
7.1.12 If the Town acquires data that changes the base flood elevation in the FEMA mapped
Special Flood Hazard Areas, the Town of Lexington will, within 6 months, notify FEMA of
these changes by submitting the technical or scientific data that supports the change(s.)
Notification shall be submitted to:
• NFIP State Coordinator, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
• NFIP Program Specialist, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region I
7.1.13 Variances to Floodplain Standards Issued by the State Building Code
The Town of Lexington will request from the State Building Code Appeals Board a written
and/or audible copy of the portion of the hearing related to the variance, and will maintain this
record in the community’s files.
The Town of Lexington shall also issue a letter to the property owner regarding potential
impacts to the annual premiums for the flood insurance policy covering that property, in writing
over the signature of a community official that (i) the issuance of a variance to construct a
structure below the base flood level will result in increased premium rates for flood insurance
up to amounts as high as $25 for $100 of insurance coverage and (ii) such construction below
the base flood level increases risks to life and property.
Such notification shall be maintained with the record of all variance actions for the referenced
development in the floodplain overlay district.
7.1.14 Other Variances
A variance from these floodplain bylaws must meet the requirements set out by State law, and
may only be granted if:
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
1) Good and sufficient cause and exceptional non-financial hardship exist;
2) the variance will not result in additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense,
or fraud or victimization of the public; and
3) the variance is the minimum action necessary to afford relief.
7.1.15 Abrogation and Greater Restriction
The floodplain management regulations found in this Floodplain Overlay District section
shall take precedence over any less restrictive conflicting local laws, ordinances or codes.
7.1.16 Disclaimer of Liability
The degree of flood protection required by this bylaw is considered reasonable but does not
imply total flood protection.
7.1.18 Definitions. The following words shall be defined as in this subsection 7.1.18 for the
purposes of this Section 7.1.
DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to
building or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling
operations or storage of equipment or materials. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44,
Part 59]
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA)
The federal agency administering the National Flood Insurance Program.
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM)
An Official Map of a community on which FEMA has delineated both the areas of special
flood hazard and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY
An examination, evaluation, and determination of flood hazards, and, if appropriate,
corresponding water surface elevations, or an examination, evaluation and determination of
flood-related erosion hazards.
FLOODWAY
The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved
in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface
elevation.
FUNCTIONALLY DEPENDENT USE
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
A use which cannot perform its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close
proximity to water. The term includes only docking facilities, port facilities that are necessary
for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, and ship building and ship repair
facilities, but does not include long-term storage or related manufacturing facilities. [US Code
of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59] Also [Referenced Standard ASCE 24-14]
HIGHEST ADJACENT GRADE
The highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed
walls of a structure. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59]
HISTORIC STRUCTURE
Any structure that is:
(a) Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the
Department of Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting
the requirements for individual listing on the National Register;
(b) Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the
historical significance of a registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined by
the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district;
(c) Individually listed on a state inventory of historic places in states with historic preservation
programs which have been approved by the Secretary of the Interior; or
(d) Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic
preservation programs that have been certified either:
(1) By an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior or
(2) Directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs.
[US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59]
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of the
first floodplain management code, regulation, ordinance, or standard adopted by the authority
having jurisdiction, including any subsequent improvements to such structures. New
construction includes work determined to be substantial improvement. [Referenced Standard
ASCE 24-14]
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
A vehicle which is:
(a) Built on a single chassis;
(b) 400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection;
(c) Designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck; and
(d) Designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters
for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44,
Part 59]
REGULATORY FLOODWAY – See Floodway
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA
An area having special flood and/or flood-related erosion hazards, and shown on a FHBM or
FIRM as Zone A, AO, A1-30, AE, A99, AH, V, V1-30, V. [Base Code, Chapter 2, Section
202].
START OF CONSTRUCTION
The date of issuance for new construction and substantial improvements to existing structures,
provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition,
placement or other improvement is within 180 days after the date of issuance. The actual start
of construction means the first placement of permanent construction of a building (including a
manufactured home) on a site, such as the pouring of a slab or footings, installation of pilings
or construction of columns.
Permanent construction does not include land preparation (such as clearing, excavation,
grading or filling), the installation of streets or walkways, excavation for a basement, footings,
piers or foundations, the erection of temporary forms or the installation of accessory buildings
such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main building. For a
substantial improvement, the actual “start of construction” means the first alteration of any
wall, ceiling, floor or other structural part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects
the external dimensions of the building. [Base Code, Chapter 2, Section 202]
STRUCTURE
For floodplain management purposes, a walled and roofed building, including a gas or liquid
storage tank, that is principally above ground, as well as a manufactured home. [US Code of
Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59]
STRUCTURE (NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE DISTRICT)
A walled and roofed building, including a gas or liquid storage tank, which is principally above
ground, as well as a manufactured home. "Structure," for insurance coverage purposes, means
a walled and roofed building, other than a gas or liquid storage tank, which is principally above
ground and affixed to a permanent site, as well as a manufactured home on foundation. For the
latter purpose, the term includes a building while in the course of construction, alteration, or
repair, but does not include building materials or supplies intended for use in such construction,
alteration, or repair, unless such materials or supplies are within an enclosed building on the
premises.
SUBSTANTIAL REPAIR OF A FOUNDATION.
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
When work to repair or replace a foundation results in the repair or replacement of a portion
of the foundation with a perimeter along the base of the foundation that equals or exceeds 50%
of the perimeter of the base of the foundation measured in linear feet, or repair or replacement
of 50% of the piles, columns or piers of a pile, column or pier supported foundation, the
building official shall determine it to be substantial repair of a foundation. Applications
determined by the building official to constitute substantial repair of a foundation shall require
all existing portions of the entire building or structure to meet the requirements of 780 CMR.
[As amended by MA in 9th Edition BC]
VARIANCE
For floodplain management purposes, means a grant of relief by a community from the terms
of a flood plain management regulation. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59]
VIOLATION
For floodplain management purposes, means the failure of a structure or other development to
be fully compliant with the community's flood plain management regulations. A structure or
other development without the elevation certificate, other certifications, or other evidence of
compliance required in §60.3 is presumed to be in violation until such time as that
documentation is provided. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59]
ZONE A (NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE DISTRICT)
The one-hundred-year floodplain area where the base flood elevation (BFE) has not been
determined. To determine the BFE, use the best available federal, state, local, or other data.
ZONE A1-30 AND ZONE AE (FOR NEW AND REVISED MAPS) (NATIONAL
FLOOD INSURANCE DISTRICT)
The one-hundred-year floodplain where the base flood elevation has been determined.
ZONES B, C, AND X (NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE DISTRICT)
Areas identified in the community Flood Insurance Study as areas of moderate or minimal
flood hazard. Zone X replaces Zones B and C on new and revised maps.
3) Amend §135-10.0 Definitions by deleting the following:
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA)
The federal agency administering the National Flood Insurance Program.
FLOOD HAZARD BOUNDARY MAP (FHBM)
An Official Map of a community issued by FEMA where the boundaries of the flood and
related erosion areas having special hazards have been designated as Zone A or E.
SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
An area having special flood and/or flood-related erosion hazards, and shown on a FHBM
or FIRM as Zone A, AO, A1-30, AE, A99, AH, V, V1-30, V.
STRUCTURE (NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE DISTRICT)
A walled and roofed building, including a gas or liquid storage tank, which is principally above
ground, as well as a manufactured home. "Structure," for insurance coverage purposes, means
a walled and roofed building, other than a gas or liquid storage tank, which is principally above
ground and affixed to a permanent site, as well as a manufactured home on foundation. For the
latter purpose, the term includes a building while in the course of construction, alteration, or
repair, but does not include building materials or supplies intended for use in such construction,
alteration, or repair, unless such materials or supplies are within an enclosed building on the
premises.
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM)
An Official Map of a community on which FEMA has delineated both the areas of special
flood hazard and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY
An examination, evaluation, and determination of flood hazards, and, if appropriate,
corresponding water surface elevations, or an examination, evaluation and determination of
flood-related erosion hazards.
FLOODWAY
The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved
in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface
elevation.
ZONE A (NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE DISTRICT)
The one-hundred-year floodplain area where the base flood elevation (BFE) has not been
determined. To determine the BFE, use the best available federal, state, local, or other data.
ZONE A1-30 AND ZONE AE (FOR NEW AND REVISED MAPS) (NATIONAL
FLOOD INSURANCE DISTRICT)
The one-hundred-year floodplain where the base flood elevation has been determined.
ZONES B, C, AND X (NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE DISTRICT)
Areas identified in the community Flood Insurance Study as areas of moderate or minimal
flood hazard. Zone X replaces Zones B and C on new and revised maps.
(3/4/2025)
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
ARTICLE 32 AMEND ZONING BYLAW AND MAP – TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS
MOTION:
That the Zoning Bylaw, Chapter 135 of the Code of the Town of Lexington, be amended as
follows, and further to make non-substantive changes to the numbering of this bylaw to comply
with the numbering format:
1. Delete §135-9.4.1.1.a.
2. Amend §135-5.5.8 by deleting “or a special permit with site plan review”
3. Amend §135-5.5.9 by deleting “or special permit with site plan review”
(3/4/2025)
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
ARTICLE 33 AMEND ZONING BYLAW – ACCESSORY USES
MOTION:
That the Zoning Bylaw, Chapter 135 of the Code of the Town of Lexington, be amended as
follows, where struck through text is to be removed and underlined text is to be added:
1. Amend §135-3.2.1 as follows:
3.2.1 General. Any use or structure not listed as an accessory use in Table 1 is permitted as an
accessory use provided it is a use or structure that is customary and incidental to a
principal use or structure permitted by Table 1 and conforms to all other provisions of
this bylaw, and complies with all other Town bylaws or General Laws.
(3/4/2025)
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Presentation - Special Town Meeting 2025-1 Warrant Article 2 - Amend Zoning Bylaw -
Section 7.5 - MBTA Zoning
PRESENTER:
Board Discussion
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.8
SUMMARY:
Category: Informing
This item is on the agenda to hear any new information that may be available regarding Special Town Meeting
2025-1 Warrant Article 2 - Amend Zoning Bylaw - Section 7.5 - MBTA Zoning.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
N/A
FOLLOW-UP:
N/A
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025 8:10pm
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Working DRAFT STM Article 2 Zoning Motion as of 03-09-2025_Rev3 Backup Material
updated draft 3.10 445pm Backup Material
DRAFT Revised March 98, 2025 (3:25PM) DM, CS, AL, JB, BM CH & AM rev. 213
1
Town of Lexington
Motion
Special Town Meeting 2025-1
ARTICLE 2 AMEND SECTION 7.5 OF THE ZONING BYLAW TO REDUCE MULTI-FAMILY
DWELLING UNIT CAPACITY (Citizen Petition)
MOTION
That the Zoning Bylaw, Chapter 135 of the Code of the Town of Lexington, and Zoning Map be amended
as follows, where struck through text is to be removed and underlined text is to be added, and further that
non-substantive changes to the numbering of this bylaw be permitted to comply with the numbering format
of the Code of the Town of Lexington:
A.Amend §135-2.2.5 to add a new row:
VLO Village Legacy Overlay
B.Amend the Zoning Map to delete the following areas shown on maps on file with the Town Clerk from the
VO District:
1.Bedford Street/Bike Path, except move the following properties from the VO District to the VLO
District:
a.Map 71 Lot 33 located at 231 Bedford Street
2.Bedford Street/Reed Street, except move the following properties from the VO District to the VLO
District:
a.Map 64 Lots 72 and 73A located at 185, 187-189 Bedford Street
3.Concord Avenue/Waltham Street, except move the following properties from the VO District to the VLO
District:
a.Map 10 Lots 58A and 59A located at 5-7 Piper Road
b.Map 9 Lot 11B and Map 10 Lots 31A, 31B, and 31C located at 331 Concord Avenue
C.Amend the Zoning Map to delete the following areas shown on maps on file with the Town Clerk from the
MFO District:
1.Bedford Street North
2.Lexington Center
D.Amend the Zoning Map to delete the following areas shown on maps on file with the Town Clerk from the
VHO District:
1.Hartwell Avenue/Westview Street except for the following properties:
a.Map 84 Lot 80A located at 17 Hartwell Avenue
b.Map 84 lot 81 located at 7 Hartwell Avenue
2.Maguire Road
3.Hartwell Avenue/Wood Street
E.Amend the Zoning Map to remove the following properties from the VO District:
1.Map 57 Lot 79 at 60 Bedford Street
2.Map 57 Lot 14F at 32 Bedford Street
DRAFT Revised March 98, 2025 (3:25PM) DM, CS, AL, JB, BM CH & AM rev. 213
2
3.Map 57 Lot 14A at 46 Bedford Street
F.Amend the Zoning Map to move the following properties from the VO District to the VLO District:
1.Map 64 Lot 161 located at 89-93 Bedford Street
2.Map 57 Lot 133A, 134, and 135 located at 3-5 Militia Drive
3.Map 13 Lots 372, 373, 374, 375 located at 217-219, 229, 233, & 241 Massachusetts Avenue
G.Amend §135-7.5.1 as follows:
7.5.1 Purpose. The purposes of the Village Overlay (VO, MFO, and VHO) Districts are:
H.Amend §135-7.5.4.4 as follows:
4.Developments in the VO or VLO district may contain nonresidential uses on the street floor and
basement to the extent permitted in either the CRS or CB zoning district, except that:
I.Amend §135-7.5.5.9 as follows:
9. In the VLO District or the , VHO District, or where the underlying zoning is the CB District, the site
coverage is not restricted. In other districts, the total site coverage of buildings and area of required
residential vehicle parking spaces not within buildings shall not exceed 28% of the lot area of the
development.
J.Amend §135-7.5.5.10 as follows:
10.Except as noted below, the maximum height in feet of buildings is:
District MFO VLO VO VHO
Height in feet 52 40 (a)(a)40 *(b)70 *(c)
Height in stories 4 3 3 NR
a.Height Bonus. *In the VO VLO District, when the underlying zoning district is a Commercial
District, the maximum height is 60 feet when at least 30% of the gross floor area of the street
floor level or buildings’ footprint, whichever is greater, of the entire development is occupied
by commercial principal uses, not including associated parking, shown in Table 1 §3.4
Permitted Uses and Development Standards as permitted in the underlying district in the
following categories:
i.Commercial Office Uses
ii.Personal, Business, or General Services Uses
iii.Sales or Rental of Goods and Equipment
iv.Eating and Drinking
v.Commercial, Recreational, Amusements, Entertainment,
b.Height Bonus. *In the VO District, when the underlying district is a Residential District, the
maximum height is 52 50 feet and 4 stories when at least 30% 33% of the gross floor area of
the street floor level or buildings’ footprint, whichever is greater, of the entire development is
occupied by non-residential nonresidential principal uses pursuant to §7.5.4.4 and no more
than the greater of 20% or 20 feet of the street floor frontage on a public way is dedicated to
residential uses.
c.Height Bonus. *In the VHO District where at least 50% of the total net floor area on the lot is
occupied by nonresidential principal uses permitted in the underlying district, the maximum
height is 115 feet.
Formatted: Not Strikethrough
Formatted: Underline, Not Strikethrough
Formatted: Not Strikethrough
Formatted: Not Strikethrough
DRAFT Revised March 98, 2025 (3:25PM) DM, CS, AL, JB, BM CH & AM rev. 213
3
K.Replace §135-7.5.5.11 as follows:
11.The number of stories is not restricted. Number of dwelling units. In developments larger than 0.3
acres in the VO District, the number of dwelling units shall not exceed the lot area of the
development in acres multiplied by either 250 (for developments notentitled to a height bonus under
complying with §7.5.5.10.b) or 205 (for developments not entitled to a height bonus under
complying with §7.5.5.10.b), rounded to the nearest whole number.
12.Floor Area. In developments larger than 0.3 acres in the VO District, the total net floor area of all
dwelling units shall not exceed the lot area of the development multiplied by 0.4560.
L.Amend §135-7.5.9.1 as follows:
1.Transition areas, as specified under §5.3.4 (Transition Areas), are required only along the boundary of
the Village Overlay Districts (VO, MFO, & VHO) and shall have a depth of five (5) feet.
M.Amend §135-2.2.5 to remove the MFO row.
N.Remove §135-7.5.4.3.
O.Amend the table in §135-7.5.5.10 to remove the MFO column.
P.The map changes and amendments above shall not apply to any development projects for which an
application for site plan review under §135-7.5.3 or special permit under §135-5.1 was filed with the
Planning Board and Town Clerk before March 1, 2025, but shall apply to any major modification thereof.
Agreed DRAFT Revised March 10, 2025
1
Town of Lexington
Motion
Special Town Meeting 2025-1
ARTICLE 2 AMEND SECTION 7.5 OF THE ZONING BYLAW TO REDUCE MULTI-FAMILY
DWELLING UNIT CAPACITY (Citizen Petition)
MOTION
That the Zoning Bylaw, Chapter 135 of the Code of the Town of Lexington, and Zoning Map be amended
as follows, where struck through text is to be removed and underlined text is to be added, and further that
non-substantive changes to the numbering of this bylaw be permitted to comply with the numbering format
of the Code of the Town of Lexington:
A. Amend §135-2.2.5 to add a new row:
VLO Village Legacy Overlay
B. Amend the Zoning Map to delete the following areas shown on maps on file with the Town Clerk from the
VO District:
1. Bedford Street/Bike Path, except move the following properties from the VO District to the VLO
District:
a. Map 71 Lot 33 located at 231 Bedford Street
2. Bedford Street/Reed Street, except move the following properties from the VO District to the VLO
District:
a. Map 64 Lots 72 and 73A located at 185, 187-189 Bedford Street
3. Concord Avenue/Waltham Street, except move the following properties from the VO District to the VLO
District:
a. Map 10 Lots 58A and 59A located at 5-7 Piper Road
b. Map 9 Lot 11B and Map 10 Lots 31A, 31B, and 31C located at 331 Concord Avenue
C. Amend the Zoning Map to delete the following areas shown on maps on file with the Town Clerk from the
MFO District:
1. Bedford Street North
2. Lexington Center
D. Amend the Zoning Map to delete the following areas shown on maps on file with the Town Clerk from the
VHO District:
1. Hartwell Avenue/Westview Street except for the following properties:
a. Map 84 Lot 80A located at 17 Hartwell Avenue
b. Map 84 lot 81 located at 7 Hartwell Avenue
2. Maguire Road
3. Hartwell Avenue/Wood Street
E. Amend the Zoning Map to remove the following properties from the VO District:
1. Map 57 Lot 79 at 60 Bedford Street
2. Map 57 Lot 14F at 32 Bedford Street
3. Map 57 Lot 14A at 46 Bedford Street
Agreed DRAFT Revised March 10, 2025
2
F. Amend the Zoning Map to move the following properties from the VO District to the VLO District:
1. Map 64 Lot 161 located at 89-93 Bedford Street
2. Map 57 Lot 133A, 134, and 135 located at 3-5 Militia Drive
3. Map 13 Lots 372, 373, 374, 375 located at 217-219, 229, 233, & 241 Massachusetts Avenue
G. Amend §135-7.5.1 as follows:
7.5.1 Purpose. The purposes of the Village Overlay (VO, MFO, and VHO) Districts are:
H. Amend §135-7.5.4.4 as follows:
4. Developments in the VO or VLO district may contain nonresidential uses on the street floor and
basement to the extent permitted in either the CRS or CB zoning district, except that:
I. Amend §135-7.5.5.9 as follows:
9. In the VLO District or the VHO District, the site coverage is not restricted. In other districts, the total
site coverage of buildings and area of required residential vehicle parking spaces not within buildings
shall not exceed 28% of the lot area of the development.
J. Amend §135-7.5.5.10 as follows:
10. Except as noted below, the maximum height in feet of buildings is:
District MFO VLO VO VHO
Height in feet 52 40 (a) 40 (b) 70 (c)
Height in stories 3 3 NR
a. VLO Height Bonus. In the VO VLO District, when the underlying zoning district is a
Commercial District, the maximum height is 60 feet when at least 30% of the gross floor area
of the street floor level or buildings’ footprint, whichever is greater, of the entire development
is occupied by commercial principal uses, not including associated parking, shown in Table 1
§3.4 Permitted Uses and Development Standards as permitted in the underlying district in the
following categories:
i. Commercial Office Uses
ii. Personal, Business, or General Services Uses
iii. Sales or Rental of Goods and Equipment
iv. Eating and Drinking
v. Commercial, Recreational, Amusements, Entertainment,
b. VO Height Bonus. In the VO District, when the underlying district is a Residential District,
the maximum height is 52 50 feet and 4 stories when at least 30% 33% of the gross floor area
of the street floor level or buildings’ footprint, whichever is greater, of the entire development
is occupied by non-residential nonresidential principal uses pursuant to §7.5.4.4 and no more
than the greater of 20% or 20 feet of the street floor frontage on a public way is dedicated to
residential uses.
c. VHO Height Bonus. In the VHO District where at least 50% of the total net floor area on the
lot is occupied by nonresidential principal uses permitted in the underlying district, the
maximum height is 115 feet.
K. Replace §135-7.5.5.11 as follows:
11. The number of stories is not restricted.
Number of dwelling units. In the VO District, the number of dwelling units shall not exceed the lot
Agreed DRAFT Revised March 10, 2025
3
area of the development in acres multiplied by either 25 (for developments entitled to a height bonus
under §7.5.5.10.b) or 20 (for developments not entitled to a height bonus under §7.5.5.10.b), rounded
to the nearest whole number, or 6 dwelling units, whichever is greater.
12. Floor Area. In the VO District, the total net floor area of all dwelling units shall not exceed the lot
area of the development multiplied by 0.48 or 6,250 SF, whichever is greater.
L. Amend §135-7.5.9.1 as follows:
1. Transition areas, as specified under §5.3.4 (Transition Areas), are required only along the boundary of
the Village Overlay Districts (VO, MFO, & VHO) and shall have a depth of five (5) feet.
M. Amend §135-2.2.5 to remove the MFO row.
N. Remove §135-7.5.4.3.
O. The map changes and amendments above shall not apply to any development projects for which an
application for site plan review under §135-7.5.3 or special permit under §135-5.1 was filed with the
Planning Board and Town Clerk before March 1, 2025, but shall apply to any major modification thereof.
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Discussion - 2025 Annual Town Meeting - Select Board Article Discussion and Positions
PRESENTER:
Board Discussion
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.9
SUMMARY:
Category: Informing
Ms. Axtell will provide an overview of the proposed consent agenda items for 2025 Annual Town meeting.
The Board may take up discussion on the 2025 Annual Town Meeting Articles and/or Select Board article
positions.
Town Website - 2025 Annual Town Meeting
Annual Town Meeting 2025-1
SUGGESTED MOTION:
FOLLOW-UP:
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025 8:00pm
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Art 5 enterprise funds motion Backup Material
Art 6 amend fy 25 budget motion Backup Material
Art 7 sustainabiility motion Backup Material
Art 9 revolving funds motion Backup Material
Art 11 rec capital motion Backup Material
Art 13 water motion Backup Material
Art 14 wastewater motion Backup Material
Art 17 opeb motion Backup Material
Art 20 unpaid bills ip Backup Material
Art 21 cap improvements ip Backup Material
Art 25 Amend TM Bylaws. motion Backup Material
Proposed 2025 Consent Agenda Review -ATM Backup Material
Select Board Working Document - Positions 2025 ATM Backup Material
ARTICLE 5 APPROPRIATE FY2026 ENTERPRISE FUNDS BUDGETS
MOTION: a) That the Town appropriate the following sums of money to operate the Water Division
of the Department of Public Works during fiscal year 2026 under the provisions of
M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 53F½:
Personal Services $1,074,990
Expenses $675,100
Debt Service $1,438,006
MWRA Assessment $8,650,822
Total $11,838,918
Said sums to be funded from water receipts.
b) That the Town appropriate the following sums of money to operate the Wastewater
(Sewer) Division of the Department of Public Works during fiscal year 2026 under the
provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 53F½:
Personal Services $497,353
Expenses $617,100
Debt Service $1,672,086
MWRA Assessment $9,359,196
Total $12,145,735
Said sums to be funded from wastewater receipts.
c) That the Town appropriate the following sums of money to operate the Recreation and
Community Programs Department during fiscal year 2026 under the provisions of
M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 53F½:
Personal Services $1,875,354
Expenses $1,670,835
Total $3,546,189
Said sums to be funded from recreation receipts, except that $455,000 shall be funded
from recreation retained earnings, and $254,213 shall be raised in the tax levy.
(03/04/2025)
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
1
ARTICLE 6 AMEND FY2025 OPERATING, ENTERPRISE AND CPA BUDGETS
MOTION: That the following adjustment be made to the following line item for the FY2025
budget as approved under Article 4 of the 2024 Annual Town Meeting:
Line Item Program From To
2510 Reserve Fund $850,000 $910,000
and further, that to meet this appropriation $60,000 be transferred from the
Recreation Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings.
(03/04/2025)
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
1
ARTICLE 7 SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS
MOTION: That $24,000 be appropriated for solar assessments of Town-owned parking lots to
determine the technical and economic feasibility of installing solar canopies and related
systems, and all costs incidental or related thereto, and that to meet this appropriation,
$24,000 be appropriated from the General Fund unreserved fund balance.
(03/03/2025)
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
1
ARTICLE 9 ESTABLISH AND CONTINUE DEPARTMENTAL REVOLVING FUNDS
MOTION:
That the Town authorize the following revolving fund limits pursuant to the provisions of
M.G.L.Chapter 44, Section 53E½, and Chapter 110 of the Code of the Town of Lexington,
for Fiscal Year 2026 beginning July 1, 2025, as follows:
FUNDS REQUESTED:
Program or Purpose for Revolving Funds FY2026 Authorization
School Bus Transportation $1,300,000
Building Rental Revolving Fund $648,000
Lexington Tree Fund $150,000
DPW Burial Containers $60,000
DPW Compost Operations $955,000
Minuteman Household Hazardous Waste Program $250,000
Refuse and Recycling Collection $0
Senior Services $75,000
Residential Engineering Review $57,600
Health Programs $110,000
Lab Inspections $80,000
Tourism $562,000
(03/03/2025)
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
1
ARTICLE 11 APPROPRIATE FOR RECREATION CAPITAL PROJECTS
MOTION: That $70,000 be appropriated for Pine Meadows Golf Course equipment, and all incidental
costs related thereto; and that to meet this appropriation $70,000 be appropriated from
Recreation Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings.
(03/03/2025)
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
1
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
ARTICLE 13 APPROPRIATE FOR WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
MOTION: That the Select Board be authorized to make water distribution system improvements,
including the installation of new water mains and replacement or cleaning and lining of
existing water mains and stand pipes, conducting engineering studies and the purchase and
installation of equipment in connection therewith, and pay all incidental costs related
thereto, in such accepted or unaccepted streets or other land as the Select Board may
determine, subject to the assessment of betterments or otherwise, and to take by eminent
domain, purchase, or otherwise acquire any fee, easement or other interest in land
necessary therefor; and to appropriate $2,334,940 for such distribution systems
improvements; and that to meet this appropriation, $1,200,000 be raised through water user
fees, and $1,134,940 be appropriated from Water Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings.
(03/03/2025)
1
ARTICLE 14 APPROPRIATE FOR WASTEWATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
MOTION: That the following be authorized, and that the following amounts be appropriated for the
following capital improvements and that each amount be raised as indicated:
(a) the Select Board be authorized to install sanitary sewer mains and sewerage systems and
replacements thereof, and pay all incidental costs related thereto, in such accepted or
unaccepted streets or other land as the Select Board may determine, subject to the
assessment of betterments or otherwise, in accordance with Chapter 504 of the Acts of
1897, as amended, or otherwise, and to take by eminent domain, purchase, or otherwise
acquire any fee, easement or other interest in land necessary therefor; to appropriate for
such installation and land acquisition the sum of $1,082,431; and that to meet this
appropriation, $600,000 shall be raised through wastewater user fees, and $482,431 be
appropriated from Wastewater Enterprise Retained Earnings.
(b) that $200,000 be appropriated for pump station building improvements, including
replacement of windows and doors at the main wastewater pump station, and all incidental
costs related thereto, and to raise such amount $200,000 be appropriated from Wastewater
Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings.
(03/03/2025)
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
1
ARTICLE 17 APPROPRIATE TO POST EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE LIABILITY FUND
MOTION: That $2,083,375 be appropriated to the town of Lexington Post Employment Insurance
Liability Fund established pursuant to Chapter 317 of the Acts of 2002, and that to meet
this appropriation, $3,045 be appropriated from Water Fund receipts, $609 be appropriated
from Wastewater Fund receipts, and $2,079,721 be appropriated from the General Fund
unreserved fund balance.
(03/04/2025)
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
1
ARTICLE 20 APPROPRIATE FOR PRIOR YEARS’ UNPAID BILLS
MOTION: That this article be indefinitely postponed.
(03/04/2025)
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
1
ARTICLE 21 APPROPRIATE FOR AUTHORIZED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
MOTION: That this article be indefinitely postponed.
(03/04/2025)
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
1
Town of Lexington
Motion
2025 Annual Town Meeting
ARTICLE 25 AMENDMENT TO TOWN MEETING MANAGEMENT PROVISIONS IN TOWN
BYLAWS (Citizen Petition)
MOTION:
That the following sections of Chapter 118 of the Code of the Town of Lexington be amended to read as
follows (struck through text to be deleted, and bolded text to be added): 1.§ 118-15A Previous Question
The previous question shall be put in the form: "Shall the question on the amendment now be put?"
for an amendment or, alternatively, "Shall the main question now be put?" for a main motion and
all debate shall be suspended until the previous question is decided. “I move the previous
question.” This form can be used for main motions and amendments and all debate shall
be suspended until the previous question is decided.
2. .§ 118-15B Previous Question The adoption of the previous question shall require a two-thirds vote to pass and put an end to all debate on the motion under consideration except as provided in §118-13(I) of this article. 3. § 118-19: Further Rules of Procedure • The procedure and conduct of the business meetings of the Town not herein provided for shall be governed by "Roberts' Rules of Parliamentary Practice" the latest edition of “Town Meeting Time” adopted by the Massachusetts Moderators Association so far as they are
applicable and are not inconsistent with the bylaws of the Town.
(02/27/2025)
Town of Lexington
PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA
2025 Annual Town Meeting
02/06/2025
ARTICLE 8 Appropriate funding to Construct a Playground at Fletcher Park (IP) Citizen
petition
ARTICLE 10 APPROPRIATE THE FY2024 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION
COMMITTEE OPERATING BUDGET AND CPA PROJECTS
c) Document Conservation-$21,000
j) Administrative Budget-$150,000
ARTICLE 11 APPROPRIATE FOR RECREATION CAPITAL
ARTICLE 12 APPROPRIATE FOR MUNICIPAL CAPITAL
a) Transportation Mitigation;
c) Equipment Replacement;
d) Sidewalk Improvements;
e) Hydrant Replacement;
f) Street Improvements;
g) Stormwater Management Program;
l) Municipal Technology Improvement Program;
m) Network Redundancy & Improvement Plan;
ARTICLE 13 APPROPRIATE FOR WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
ARTICLE 14 APPROPRIATE FOR WASTEWATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
ARTICLE 15 APPROPRIATE FOR SCHOOL CAPITAL PROJECTS AND EQUIPMENT
ARTICLE 16 APPROPRIATE FOR PUBLIC FACILITIES CAPITAL PROJECTS
a) Public Facilities Bid Documents;
b) Public Facilities Interior Finishes;
c) School Paving and Sidewalks;
d) Municipal Building Envelopes and Associated Systems
ARTICLE 17 APPROPRIATE TO POST EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE LIABILITY FUND
ARTICLE 18 RESCIND PRIOR BORROWING
ARTICLE 20 APPROPRIATE FOR PRIOR YEARS’ UNPAID BILLS (IP)
ARTICLE 21 APPROPRIATE FOR AUTHORIZED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS (IP)
ARTICLE 22 SELECT BOARD TO ACCEPT EASEMENTS
ARTICLE 29 Amend Zoning Bylaw- Bicycle Parking (Refer to Planning Board))
Select Board Positions
Working Document
#Article Name
PLACEHOLDER
FOR AN UPDATE
AT SELECT
BOARD MTG
SELECT
BOARD
PRSNTR
Proposed
CNSNT
(PC)
IP DL JP JH MS VK
1 Notice of Election
2 Election of Deputy Moderator and Reports of Town Boards, Officers and Committees
3 Appointments To Cary Lecture Series.Y Y Y Y
4 Appropriate FY2026 Operating Budget DL Y Y Y Y
5 Appropriate FY2026 Enterprise Funds Budgets TBD Y Y Y Y
6 Amend Fy2025 Operating, Enterprise And CPA Budgets MS Y Y Y Y
7 Sustainable Projects JP
8 Appropriate Funding To Construct a Playground In Fletcher Park (Citizen Petition)- IP 2/24/2025 IP Y Y Y Y
9 Establish and Continue Departmental Revolving Funds JH
Appropriate The FY2026 Community Preservation Committee Operating Budget And CPA Projects
a. Cotton Farm/Community Center Connector – $300,000
b. Simond’s Brook Conservation Area Trail Design & Engineering – $75,000
c. Document Conservation – $21,000
d. Hancock-Clarke House Roof Replacement – $57,800
e. Affordable Housing Trust Funding– $3,000,000
f. LexHAB Affordable Housing Support, Restoration, Preservation, and Decarbonization – $494,140
g. Park and Playground Improvements – Center Playground – $1,490,000
h. Park Improvements – Athletic Fields - Harrington – $3,197,904*
i. Lincoln Park Field Improvements #3 – $1,950,000*
j. Administrative Budget – $150,000
11 Appropriate For Recreation Capital Projects JH
12 Appropriate For Municipal Capital Projects And Equipment
a) Transportation Mitigation
b) Fire Pumper Truck
c) Equipment Replacement
MS
Financial Articles
10 1/27/2025 W Y Y Y
As of 2/24/2025 Select Board Meeting
Select Board Positions
Working Document
#Article Name
PLACEHOLDER
FOR AN UPDATE
AT SELECT
BOARD MTG
SELECT
BOARD
PRSNTR
Proposed
CNSNT
(PC)
IP DL JP JH MS VK
d) Sidewalk Improvements
e) Hydrant Replacement
f) Street Improvements
g) Stormwater Management Program
h) New Sidewalk Installations - Study and Design
i) Intersection Improvements - Adams St. at East St. & Hancock St.
j) DPW Building Improvements
k) Lincoln Park Parking Lot - Design
l) Municipal Technology Improvement Program
m) Network Redundancy & Improvement Plan
13 Appropriate For Water System Improvements.
14 Appropriate For Wastewater System Improvements
15 Appropriate For School Capital Projects And Equipment
Appropriate For Public Facilities Capital Projects
a) Public Facilities Bid Documents
b) Public Facilities Interior Finishes
c) School Paving and Sidewalks
d) Municipal Building Envelopes and Associated Systems
e) Central Administration Building Demolition
f) Estabrook Elementary School Nurse Bathroom Renovation
17 Appropriate To Post Employment Insurance Liability Fund JP
18 Rescind Prior Borrowing Authorizations
19 Establish, Amend, Dissolve And Appropriate To And From Specified Stabilization Funds TBD
20 Appropriate For Prior Years’ Unpaid Bills
21 Appropriate For Authorized Capital Improvements.
General Articles
JP16
12 (cont.)
JP
As of 2/24/2025 Select Board Meeting
Select Board Positions
Working Document
#Article Name
PLACEHOLDER
FOR AN UPDATE
AT SELECT
BOARD MTG
SELECT
BOARD
PRSNTR
Proposed
CNSNT
(PC)
IP DL JP JH MS VK
22 Select Board To Accept Easements Y Y Y Y
23 Dispose Of 116 Vine Street 3/10/2025 MS W Y Y Y
24 Authorize The Town Of Lexington To Prohibit Or Restrict The Application Of Second Generation
Anticoagulant Rodenticides (Citizen Petition)2/3/2025 JH Y Y Y Y
25 Amendment To Town Meeting Management Provisions In Town Bylaws (Citizen Petition)DL W Y W Y
26 Local Voting Rights For Lawful Permanent Residents (Citizen Petition) 2/14/2025 JH W Y Y Y
27 Allow 16 Year Olds Voting Rights In Municipal Elections (Citizen Petition)2/24/2025 DL Y Y Y Y
28 Accurate Reporting On The Negative Aspects Of Lithium-Ion Batteries (Citizen Petition)1/27/2025 MS Y Y W W
29 Amend Zoning Bylaw - Bicycle Parking 3/10/2025 MS
30 Amend Zoning Bylaw - Inclusionary Housing For Special Residential Developments 3/10/2025 JH
31 Amend Zoning Bylaw - National Flood Insurance (NFI) District 3/10/2025 DL
32 Amend Zoning Bylaw And Map - Technical Corrections 3/10/2025 TBD
33 Amend Zoning Bylaw - Accessory Uses 3/10/2025 JP
34 Amend Section 7.5 Of The Zoning Bylaw To Reduce Multi-Family Dwelling Unit Capacity (Citizen
Petition)
Zoning Articles
As of 2/24/2025 Select Board Meeting
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Discussion - Special Town Meeting 2025-1 - Select Board Article Discussion and Positions
PRESENTER:
Board Discussion
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.10
SUMMARY:
Category: Informing
The Board may take up discussion on the Special Town Meeting 2025-1 Articles and/or Select Board article
positions.
Town Website - Annual Special Town Meeting 2025.
https://lexingtonma.gov/2265/2025-1-Special-Town-Meeting
SUGGESTED MOTION:
n/a
FOLLOW-UP:
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025 8:35pm
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Review FY25 Goals and Discuss FY26 Goal Setting Process
PRESENTER:
Steve Bartha, Town Manager
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.11
SUMMARY:
Category: Decision-Making
Steve Bartha, Town Manager, will review FY25 Goals and Discuss FY26 Goal Setting Process.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
FOLLOW-UP:
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025 8:40pm
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Goals Backup Material
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MA • 02420
Town of Lexington
Town Manager’s Office
Steve Bartha, Town Manager
Kelly Axtell, Deputy Town Manager
Tel: (781) 698-4540
Fax: (781) 861-2921
M e m o r a n d u m
To: Select Board
From: Steve Bartha, Town Manager
Date: March 7, 2025
Subject: FY 24-25 Goals & FY 26 (and beyond) Goal Discussion
The purpose of this memorandum is to start a conversation around annual goal setting for the Select
Board and Town Manager. Several documents are attached for reference:
1. The adopted biennial goals (FY24-25) of the Select Board
2. An Oct. 2024 memo outlining (recommended changes to) the process I used previously
3. An example (from Andover) of how to effectively and efficiently communicate progress
At the outset, a goal for our goals: the ideal we were working toward in my prior position was a
framework where most of the board and manager’s five strategic objectives (established annually)
aligned with one, or both, of the adopted strategic and resiliency plans. This is covered in attachment
#2. The leadership team would then establish their two strategic objectives, one of which would also
align with the plans, and budget requests/decisions could be evaluated/made to ensure plan/goal/budget
alignment. This is a meta goal I think we should keep in mind as we revamp our process.
Attachment #3 offers a simple approach (from Andover) to sharing out goal progress with
internal/external stakeholders (it also offers a helpful framework in the absence of a strategic plan,
discussed below). Spreadsheets track information; images tell a story. Both are important, but
utilizing a similar tool to communicate our goals would be one way to easily share progress (along
with regular meeting updates, e.g. quarterly reports).
Attachment #1 represents the current goals of the Select Board. A few thoughts. In the absence of an
adopted strategic plan, I think establishing major goal areas (similar to the Andover approach, which I
think is very good) would be a helpful framework to identify SMART goals (specific, measurable,
achievable, relevant, time-bound) within the priority areas. It goes without saying that much of the
work we do as a local government may not fit inside the goal areas, but adopted goals should. The
board’s current goals may offer an outline of what those goal areas could look like: sustainability, DEI,
communication, economic development, community housing, etc.
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MA • 02420
Memorandum: Goal setting
March 7, 2025
Page 2
At our March 10 meeting, I hope we can start a discussion on FY 26 goal setting with the goal (so
many goals in this memo) of having goals (sigh) in place prior to the start of the fiscal year. Below are
a few draft examples:
- Project: Work with SBC to advance LHS through MSBA Schematic Design, debt exclusion
vote, and Article 97 process
- Policy: Facilitate dialogue among CPC, Select Board, Recreation Committee, LAHT, and staff
to establish framework for equitable and sustainable CPA funding policy for FY27 budget
- People: Lead effort to re-establish internal/external DEI roles for community/organization
Next step: after town meeting, I would propose that we place this on an agenda to start discussing
specific ideas. We are also working to coordinate a one-day board retreat with Jon Wortmann
(possibly June 18) and could utilize a portion of that day to finalize FY 26 goals.
I look forward to starting this conversation!
FY 2024-2025 Select Board Goals
During the fall of 2023, the Select Board engaged Jon Wortmann to interview staff and Town
Committees to gather input for the upcoming two-year goal set. The Select Board met on
October 11, 2023 to review these aspirations and identified the Board’s top priorities. Each goal
was assigned to one member of the Board with a second member volunteering on some to
assist as needed. During November and December Board members worked with Mr. Wortmann
to identify measurable actions against those goals.
Prioritized Goal List Primary Assistant
1) Enhance community vibrancy by increasing diversity of
housing stock in size, accessibility, price and availability of
Affordable Housing
Jill Hai Mark Sandeen
2) Recognize and minimize issues around construction
preserving quality of life
Joe Pato Mark Sandeen
3) Create a more vibrant downtown
Doug Lucente Jill Hai
4) Improve communication efficiency in Board meetings and
with staff
Suzie Barry Doug Lucente
5) Transition to 100% renewable energy
Mark Sandeen
6) Advance age-in-community initiatives for Lexington seniors
Doug Lucente Suzie Barry
7) Raise community awareness and engagement with the high
school project
Joe Pato Suzie Barry
All goals will be continually reevaluated under core shared principles including:
Our commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community that
thrives on the principles of respect, dignity, and fairness. We recognize that diversity
enriches our community, brings together unique perspectives, and strengthens our
ability to effectively serve our residents.
This includes our ambition to:
o Increase and broaden diverse participation in our professional ranks and civic
activities
o Welcome all people in Lexington
o Consider health in all decisions
o Provide recreation facilities for all
Honoring our rich historic traditions and taking pride in Lex250th celebration events
Diversifying the commercial tax base to reduce financial burdens on residents
allowing more to remain and lower the barriers for new residents to call Lexington
home.
Our commitment to being a sustainable and resilient community for all where we
strive to:
o reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
o create cleaner indoor and outdoor environments, and
o ensure all members of our community have access to the tools they need to
be resilient in a changing climate.
Town of Danvers
Electric Division
Clint Allen | Assistant Utility Director
1 Burroughs St, Danvers, Massachusetts 01923 | p:978-774-0005| f: 978-774-5623
www.danversma.gov | callen@danversma.gov
To: Steve Bartha, Town Manager
From: Clint Allen, Acting Utility Director, on behalf of the CLEATUS Committee
Date: October 10, 2024
Re: Management Compensation Plan Evaluation and Recommendation
Introduction
The Compensation and Leadership Evaluation to Align with Town Undertaken Strategies
(CLEATUS) committee has met several times since our kick-off meeting back in August to assess
the current Management Compensation Plan (MCP). The guidance from the kick-off meeting
provided the following key objectives for this assessment:
• Simplify and clarify the self-evaluation process,
• Incorporate Strategic and Resilient Danvers into the evaluation,
• Promote opportunities to collaborate with other departments and/or tie to Select Board and
Town Manager goals,
• Shift to a pass/fail rather than a sliding scale: either 0% or 1.5% on top of COLA based on average merit of 1.5% over the past 10 years,
• Digitize and streamline the self-evaluation report,
• Make it useful, efficient, and ensure that it is not in a vacuum by connecting department objectives through the leadership team, and
• Promote DEI metrics within the department as a component to the MCP.
Focused on this guidance, the CLEATUS committee has identified two major areas in the plan that
we feel can be approved:
• The timeline for setting goals, performance evaluations, and receiving the merit adjustment
• The self-evaluation form, supervisor assessment, and merit award calculation
Based on these two focus areas, please review the following recommendations.
MCP Timeline and Process
The committee started by laying out the current MCP process:
Town budget is approved for upcoming fiscal year May
Town budget goes into effect Jul
Town Manager requests MCP self-evaluations submitted
to supervisors for previous fiscal year Aug
Evaluations are performed and presented to Select Board Sept/Oct
Merit adjustment takes effect with retro back to July 1st Oct
Select Board sets current fiscal year goals Dec
Supervisors approve Major Performance Objectives
effective back to July 1st Dec/Jan
This process does not lay out the current fiscal year objectives until the year is halfway over. The
goals are not shared amongst the Leadership team until after they are presented to the Select Board
in the following fiscal year for approval. While there is some tie-in to the Select Board budget goals
and Town Manager goals, realistically the departments have already been operating independently
on their own goals for six months. The committee feels like each department head is operating in a
siloed environment and there is very little collaboration or opportunity to align goals amongst the
Leadership team.
Therefore, we recommend making the following timing and procedural adjustments to the current
budget schedule:
Current Proposed
Finance distributes budget guidelines to departments Oct/Nov
Departmental budget requests are received/reviewed Nov/Dec
Budget Policy adopted by the Select Board Dec
Budget Team (Town, Schools, Library) meets Jan
Town Manager sets next fiscal year goals Feb
Leadership Team drafts next FY goals based on: Feb
Town Manager Goals
Select Board Budget Goals
Strategic Danvers Goals
Resilient Danvers Goals
Select Board Budget Workshop Mar
Select Board Warrant Review Apr
Finance Committee Budget Hearings Apr
Finance Committee Warrant Review Apr
Leadership receives current year end performance
evaluations/ supervisor approves draft goals for
upcoming fiscal year
Apr
Town Meeting May
Town Manager goals formally approved by Select Board Jun
Leadership team goals formally approved by Town Manager Jun
COLA & merit adjustment goes into effect Jul
This proposal allows the Leadership team to draft their goals in-line not only with the Resilient and
Strategic plans, but also the goals of the Select Board and the Town Manager. It creates the
opportunity for the Leadership team to meet before the upcoming fiscal year’s goals are drafted and
collaborate. It makes sure that any budgetary considerations for drafted goals will receive the
necessary funding. It also puts the merit adjustment into effect at the start of the fiscal year.
We have reviewed the modified timeline with the Finance Director, and no preliminary issues were
identified.
Self-evaluation Form, Supervisor Assessment, Merit Calculation
The committee agreed the current self-evaluation form needs to be simplified with a heavier focus
on the day-to-day operational responsibilities of the Leadership team. With the all-or-nothing
approach to the 1.5% merit adjustment, we sought to modify and clarify the assessment categories
into a pass/fail point approach:
Operational Performance (5 points):
• DEI – 1 point
• Leadership & Strategic Planning – 1 point
• Financial Mngt – 1 point
• Personnel Mngt – 1 point
• Customer Service/Community Outreach – 1 point
Strategic Performance (4 points):
• Departmental Goal –
o Fail to Initiate: 0 points
o Consistent, Measurable Progress: 1 point
o Completion: 2 points
• Town/collaborative Goal
o Fail to Initiate: 0 points
o Consistent, Measurable Progress: 1 point
o Completion: 2 points
Special Achievement or Discretionary Performance Assessment (1 point)
In order to receive the 1.5% merit adjustment, the employee must receive a minimum of 7 out of the
10 possible points.
This approach promotes better inter-departmental collaboration by requiring one of the Strategic
Performance goals to tie directly to a town goal that is already driven by the Strategic and Resilient
plans. It simplifies the self-evaluation into a potential web-based questionnaire that would be
designed to create more of a conversation with the supervisor during the performance review rather
than a stand-alone testimony. It clearly sets the expectations that if you are coming in and doing
your job effectively every day while being mindful of the town’s larger goals you will be rewarded
with a standard merit increase.
Conclusion
I have enjoyed my time as chair for the CLEATUS committee and I want to thank every team
member for their honesty, genuine commitment, and great ideas that went into this recommendation.
On behalf of the committee, we look forward to future discussions with town administration on
improving the current MCP process and helping it to better align with the town’s goals and
strategies. We hope this recommendation will play a helpful role in guiding any updates the town
seeks to make to the MCP.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
TOWN MANAGER AND SELECT BOARD
STRATEGIC GOALS & OBJECTIVES
2024-2025
Approved August 6, 2024
MAJOR GOAL AREAS:
ADMINISTRATION &
FINANCE
RESIDENT RESPONSE
MANAGEMENT &
ENGAGEMENT
CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT &
HOUSING
RIVER & OPEN SPACE ACCESS ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY
Work with the Select Board to further define the
relationship between the budget and the annual tax
increase.
Prior to setting the FY2025 tax rate, facilitate tax
information session for the purposes of illustrating
the mechanics of the annual tax increase and how
it relates to the budget and service delivery. At the
Board’s direction, identify impacts of reducing the
rate of growth of the average tax bill and present
alternative budget scenario in January.
Evaluate and assess the impact of Phase 1 of the Public
Safety Staffing plan, which includes having the third ambulance (A3) in service approximately 50% of the time.
Consider service impacts/improvements, revenues and
anticipated costs.
Based on evaluation of phase 1, make
recommendations for a phase 2 in the FY2026
budget recommendation.
Identify funding plan to appropriately resource the Town’s
cybersecurity efforts.
Make recommendation in the FY2026 budget
recommendation, or prior to the release of the
budget, providing resources are available.
GOAL:DELIVERABLE:
ADMINISTRATION &
FINACE
Hold Financial Summit with the Select Board, Finance
Committee and School Committee in Fall of 2024.
The purpose of the summit will be to review the
Long-Range Financial Plan and to receive feedback
on longstanding assumptions. Through working
groups, modify the plan to better align with current
revenue expectations and the needs of the
organization and community. Finalize updated
LRFP by end of 2024.
Begin to negotiate successor contracts for all Town
collective bargaining agreements expiring in FY2025.
Develop a framework for bargaining agreements
that promotes innovation, efficiencies, and a
potential expansion of services consistent with the
principles of the Long-Range Financial Plan.
Utilize funds from the opioid settlement to advance the
recommendations of the Community Health Improvement
Plan (CHIP).
Explore providing enhanced access to mental
health resources through utilization of opioid
funding. Develop a plan and present to the Select
Board.
GOAL:DELIVERABLE:
ADMINISTRATION &
FINACE
Develop communication plan and prepare for changes to
solid waste and recycling disposal.
Launch effective communication strategy to
inform residents of potential changes to solid
waste and recycling disposal and prepare for a July
1, 2025 transition.
Create a standing Select Board agenda item: Town
Manager’s Report.
The Town Manager will provide a report via a
standing agenda item at every Select Board
meeting. The report shall include, but not be
limited to, the following information as it is
available:
•Updates on Town projects and initiatives.
•Information on community events.
•Updates on key vacancies and the status of
hiring and appointments
•Updates on grants, including information on
grants received, projects funded and/or
proposed.
•Updates on achievements, recognitions and
professional development activities.
•Quarterly financial reports.
GOAL:DELIVERABLE:
ADMINISTRATION &
FINACE
Continue to develop approaches and programs designed
to promote the Town’s effort to recruit and retain a
talented workforce.
Work with the Andover Independent Employee
Association as part of pilot program to identify
opportunities to position and maintain Andover as
a competitive employer that meets the evolving
needs of the workforce. Work with AIEA to explore
the framework for an employee survey.
GOAL:DELIVERABLE:
ADMINISTRATION &
FINACE
GOAL:DELIVERABLE:
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Complete the capping of the Ledge Road Landfill.Complete the project in compliance with the
administrative consent order.
Develop plan for reuse of Shawsheen School.Develop process for evaluating the Shawsheen
School and identifying potential reuses. Develop
recommendations by the end of FY2025.
Develop phasing plan and financing model for the
Chandler Road property.
Acknowledging that the site may be developed in
phases, build a plan and corresponding financing
model to advance a potential project within the
next CIP period of FY2026-FY2030.
Coordinate the process for advancing the AHS Interim
Plan, including engaging the community, Select Board, Finance Committee and School Committee.
Select firm to complete design work for the Interim
Plan. Share with stakeholders and make decision
on next steps.
GOAL:DELIVERABLE:
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Complete the Facility Master Plan Study & identify
parameters, including a potential funding source, for a
Capital Stabilization Fund.
Facilitate the study of all Town and school buildings
to identify and prioritize long-term major capital
needs. Identify and recommend a funding source
for a Capital Stabilization Fund that is integrated
within the Long-Range Financial Plan.
GOAL:DELIVERABLE:
COMMUNICATIONS & RESIDENT
ENGAGEMENT
Improve public information regarding ongoing and
planned Town capital projects.
Explore platforms to maintain information about
projects, including solutions that may be external
from the website. Implement project information
solution by early 2025 and convene a cross-
functional working group with representation from
the Town Manager’s Office, Facilities, Public Works,
Planning and Administration & Finance to ensure
that project information remains current and
relevant.
Town Administration to conduct assessment of the Town’s
various communication channels and present findings and recommendations to the Select Board.
Present findings by the conclusion of FY 2025.
GOAL:DELIVERABLE:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT &
HOUSING
Monitor and manage the permitting process for
development of 11 Lewis Street.
Ensure compliance with deliverables and timelines
established in the executed Land Disposition
Agreement.
Provide information to the Board on Town-owned parcels
that could potentially be disposed of in the future.
Provide analysis to the Board on available parcels,
the process required to authorize disposition, the
conditions that could be attached to disposition(s),
and potential uses for proceeds generated by
disposition(s). Facilitate action determined by the
Board.
Monitor real estate activity at Brickstone Square, collect
data as necessary and facilitate neighborhood discussions
about potential future uses.
Closely monitor potential sale of Brickstone Square.
Depending on the outcome, collect data and
facilitate a neighborhood discussion about future
reuse of the property.
GOAL:DELIVERABLE:
RIVER AND OPEN SPACE
ACCESS
Complete the Merrimack River Access Project along the
Heffron Right of Way and the Greater Lawrence Technical
School easement that will provide public safety and public access to the Merrimack River.
Complete access road by end of 2024.
GOAL:DELIVERABLE:
ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY
Collaborate with the Andover Green Advisory Board on
shared goals and initiatives.
Advance opt-in specialized code in preparation of
consideration at the 2025 Annual Town Meeting,
promote and market the Andover Ultimate opt-Up
option of Andover Community Power, and host a
regional climate summit.
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Joint Statement on Zoning Proposals
PRESENTER:
Doug Lucente, Chair
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.12
SUMMARY:
CATEGORY: Informing and Discussion
SUGGESTED MOTION:
For the Select Board's information and discussion tonight, attached to this packet is a copy of the Joint Public
Statement of the Lexington Planning Board and Proponents of Special Town Meeting 2025-1 Article 2. The
Planning Board read this statement aloud at their March 5, 2025 Planning Board meeting.
FOLLOW-UP:
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/10/2025 8:50pm
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Joint Public Statement from the Lexington Planning Board and Proponents
of Special Town Meeting 2025-1 Article 2 Backup Material
A Joint Public Statement from the Lexington Planning Board and
Proponents of Article 2
In recent months, Lexington has faced important and sometimes difficult conversations about the future of our
town—particularly around housing and zoning. These are complex issues that deserve thoughtful discussion
and community involvement.
Unfortunately, alongside these important debates, we have witnessed an alarming rise in hostility, personal
attacks, and inflammatory rhetoric directed at our neighbors, volunteers, and town staff.
We are especially disheartened by the level of unwarranted and deeply inappropriate criticism aimed at our
Planning Director, Abby McCabe. No town employee, elected official, nor any volunteer or resident should ever
be subjected to the kind of personal attacks we’ve seen in recent weeks and months.
This is not how Lexington has historically conducted its civic discourse, and it is not how we want our town to
move forward. While we may not always agree on policies or proposals, we stand together today to say that
this behavior must stop.
We are calling on our entire community to: Reject the personal attacks and harmful language that have taken
over too many of our public spaces and conversations. Support and protect our town staff who serve us all
regardless of where we stand on individual issues. Treat one another with respect and dignity, even when we
disagree.
We are neighbors first. The national tenor of division and distrust has no place here. Lexington is stronger
when we work together and when we listen to each other in good faith.
We also invite the Town Manager, Select Board, and other community leaders to join us in publicly affirming
the need for civil discourse and in supporting those who have been unfairly targeted.
We cannot build a better Lexington if we allow anger and personal attacks to dominate our conversations. Let’s
recommit ourselves to thoughtful dialogue, mutual respect, and working together for the good of our entire
community.
Respectfully,
Planning Board
Michael J Schanbacher, Chair
Robert K Creech
Charles Hornig
Michael Leon
Tina M. McBride
Melanie A Thompson
Petitioner Team
Carol R. Sacerdote, Petitioner
John Bartenstein
Alan Levine
Dawn McKenna
Brielle Kissel Meade
Cc: Select Board
Town Manager March 5, 2025