HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-26 SB Packet - ReleasedSELECT BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Select Board Meeting Room, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420 - Hybrid Participation*
6:00 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 Minute Men - Filming PBS
Segment of 18th Century Military Drill
Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 9:00am - 4:00pm
2.Approve: Battle Green Use Request - Lexington Semiquincentennial Commission -
250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington Kick Off Press Conference
Thursday, April 17, 2025 from 9:00am - 10:30am
3.Approve: Battle Green Use Request - Lexington Semiquincentennial Commission -
Rededication of the Lexington Battle Green
Saturday, April 19, 2025 11:00am - 1:00pm
4.Approve: Entertainment License - iCan Fly, Inc - Beyond the Spectrum Market
Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 1:00 - 4:00pm
5.Approve and Sign Proclamations
Arbor Day: April 25, 2025
Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month: April 2025
National Library Week: April 6-12, 2025
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week: April 13-19, 2025
6.Accept Select Board Committee Resignations
Lexington Human Rights Committee -Courtney Apgar
Noise Advisory Committee - Sallye Bleiberg
ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
1.Accept Report for Munroe Center for the Arts Construction Project 6:05pm
2.Approve Increase to Outdoor Dining Permit Fee 6:20pm
3.Request for Approval - Inn at Hastings earlier hours on April 19, 2025 for Alcohol
Service
6:25pm
4.2025 Annual Town Meeting - Select Board Article Presenters, Discussion and
Positions
6:30pm
5.Select Board Report to Annual Town Meeting 2025 6:45pm
ADJOURN
1.Anticipated Adjournment 6:50pm
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 Wednesday, April 2, 2025
at 6:30pm 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:
Select Board Office.
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/26/2025
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
03262025_Select_Board_Announcements_and_Liaison_Reports Backup Material
Jill Hai Select Board Liaison Report for 03-26-2025
Cary Library Board of Trustees
Joe Pato will serve as interim executive committee member to fill the spot vacated by Suzie Barry.
Elections for next fiscal year's executive board will be held in May.
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 can provide verbal updates, make announcements, as well as comment on
any additional points or concerns.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
FOLLOW-UP:
Town Manager's Office.
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/26/2025
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Approve: Battle Green Use Request - Lexington Minute Men - Filming PBS Segment of 18th
Century Military Drill
PRESENTER:
Doug Lucente, Chair
ITEM
NUMBER:
C.1
SUMMARY:
Category: Decision-Making
The Lexington Minute Men have requested permission to use the center of the Battle Green on the
Harrington Road side for the purpose of conducting an 18th-century military drill in preparation for the 250th
Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 9:00am -4:00pm.
There will be no other equipment other than that carried by the participants. All participants will be dressed in
standard militia campaign kit, including packs, edged weapons or bayonets, and flintlock muskets. The request
also includes permission to blank-fire their muskets, limited to no more than 15 rounds, solely for training
purposes.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
To approve the request of the Lexington Minute Men to use the Battle Green for an 18th-century military drill
and musket blank-firing demonstration in preparation for the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington.
Move to approve the consent.
FOLLOW-UP:
Select Board Office.
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/26/2025
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Approve: Battle Green Use Request - Lexington Semiquincentennial Commission - 250th
Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington Kick Off Press Conference
PRESENTER:
Doug Lucente, Chair
ITEM
NUMBER:
C.2
SUMMARY:
Category: Decision-Making
The Lexington Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250) has requested permission to use the Battle
Green on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 9:00am to 10:30am for the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of
Lexington Kick Off Press Conference. The event will serve as the official launch of the historic anniversary
weekend, featuring remarks from local, state, and national leaders, including a representative from the U.S.
Army and historian Ken Burns, as well as a public safety briefing on the weekend’s events.
The event setup will be in front of the Minuteman Statue and will include:
Small podium with bunting and the Lex250 wooden logo
Sound system (microphone & speakers)
100 chairs for attendees
VIP and press accommodations
To ensure the safe execution of the event and accommodate press and VIP parking, the following road
closures are requested:
Bedford Street eastbound (into the Center) closed at Harrington Road
Massachusetts Avenue westbound (away from the Center) closed at Bedford Street (no left turns at the
Minuteman Statue)
The Police Department, Department of Public Works, and the Fire Department have reviewed the request and
have no objections or concerns.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
Move to approve the request from the Lexington Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250) to use the Battle
Green and approve the associated road closures on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 9:00am to 10:30am for the
250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington Kick Off Press Conference, as outlined in the request. And to
approve the closure of Bedford Street eastbound (into the Center) closed at Harrington Road and Massachusetts
Avenue westbound (away from the Center) closed at Bedford Street (no left turns at the Minuteman Statue).
FOLLOW-UP:
Select Board Office.
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/26/2025
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Kick Off Diagram Backup Material
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Approve: Battle Green Use Request - Lexington Semiquincentennial Commission -
Rededication of the Lexington Battle Green
PRESENTER:
Doug Lucente, Chair
ITEM
NUMBER:
C.3
SUMMARY:
Category: Decision-Making
The Lexington Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250) has requested permission to use the entire Battle
Green on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 11:00am for the Rededication of the Lexington Battle Green in honor of
the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington.
This large-scale event will feature a formal speaking program, a special performance by the U.S. Army Military
District of Washington, and historical demonstrations, including:
Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps
Commander-in-Chief’s Guard (with musket fire demonstration)
Continental Color Guard
U.S. Army Drill Team
U.S. Army Blue Platoon Marching Unit
Golden Knights Parachute Team (permission for parachute jump granted on 10/7/24)
The event setup will include a podium, sound system, and seating, with specific logistics to be coordinated
with the Department of Public Works (DPW).
To accommodate the anticipated crowd of 5,000-10,000 attendees, a full road closure of Massachusetts
Avenue will be required.
The Police Department, Department of Public Works, and Fire Department have reviewed the request and
have no objections or concerns.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
Move to approve the request from the Lexington Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250) to use the Battle
Green and approve the full road closure of Massachusetts Avenue on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 11:00am for
the Rededication of the Lexington Battle Green, as outlined in the request.
Move to approve consent.
FOLLOW-UP:
Select Board Office.
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/26/2025
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
LEX_250Event_Timeline Backup Material
LEX 250
Army Patriotic Performance –19 April 2025 –Lexington Green
General Schedule & Show Design
10:00 – MDW TROOP FORMATIONS ARRIVE; STAGE IN ST. BRIGID’S
CHURCH PARKING LOT, MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE
10:45-11:00 – MDW TROOP FORMATIONS MARCH TO PRE-SHOW
POSITIONS ON HARRINGTON ROAD / HOLD
11:00-11:19 – PRE-SHOW REMARKS
REMARKS BY STATE/LOCAL OFFICIALS & SENIOR ARMY LEADER PRESENT
11:19-11:20 – OPENING REMARKS BY MDW NARRATOR
11:20-11:30 – GOLDEN KNIGHTS PARACHUTE JUMP
11:30-11:40 – ARMY “LEXINGTON” STREAMER CEREMONY
11:40-11:50 – FIFE & DRUM CORPS MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
11:50-12:00 – US ARMY DRILL TEAM PERFORMANCE
12:00-12:15 – COMMANDER-IN-CHIEFS’S GUARD DEMONSTRATION
12:15-12:20 – FINALE; TROOP MARCH-ON
12:20-12:40 – SOLDIER/AUDIENCE INTERACTION
12:40 – SOLDIERS MOVE TO BUSES; DEPART FOR PARADE STAGING AREA
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Approve: Entertainment License - iCan Fly, Inc - Beyond the Spectrum Market
PRESENTER:
Doug Lucente, Chair
ITEM
NUMBER:
C.4
SUMMARY:
Category: Decision-Making
The Select Board is being asked to approve an Entertainment License for iCan Fly, Inc. to host the Beyond
the Spectrum Market, a fundraising event in recognition of Autism Awareness Month. The event will take place
on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at 0 Depot Square/ Emery Park and aims to provide
children with special needs an opportunity to showcase their skills, creativity, and communication abilities
through the sale of handmade or curated products. In addition to fostering community engagement, the event
will serve as a fundraiser to support programs for children with special needs.
The Police Department, Department of Public Works, and the Fire Department have reviewed the request and
have no objections or concerns.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
Move to approve the request from iCan Fly, Inc. for an Entertainment License to host the Beyond the
Spectrum Market on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at 0 Depot Square/ Emery Park
Move to approve the consent.
FOLLOW-UP:
Select Board Department.
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/26/2025
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Emery Square - Beyond the Spectrum Market Event Map Backup Material
Beyond_the_Spectrum_Market_Event_Schedule Backup Material
Beyond the Spectrum Market Event Schedule
Event Title: Beyond the Spectrum Fundraising Event Schedule
Event Purpose: This event celebrates Autism Awareness Month by providing children with
special needs a platform to showcase their skills, creativity, and communication abilities through
the sale of handmade or curated products. It also aims to foster community engagement and raise
funds for supporting programs for children with special needs.
Key Highlights:
Empower children with special needs by giving them the opportunity to participate in a
marketplace as sellers, with the supports of High/middle school volunteers. Parents needs
to be onsite.
Promote inclusion and raise autism awareness in the community.
Encourage sustainable practices by including second-hand sports equipment and toys.
Generate funds to support special needs programs like iCan Fly.
Some children may perform a musical piece, radio music played in between.
Event Schedule:
1:00 - 1:30pm Event set up
1:30 - 3:30pm Market
3:30 - 4:00pm Event Break down & clean up
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Approve and Sign Proclamations
PRESENTER:
Doug Lucente, Chair
ITEM
NUMBER:
C.5
SUMMARY:
Category: Decision-Making
The Select Board is being asked to approve and sign proclamations recognizing the following:
Arbor Day to be recognized nationally on Friday, April 25, 2025. This proclamation urges all citizens
to support efforts to protect trees and woodlands and to support our town’s urban forestry program
and also to urge all citizens to plant and protect trees to promote the well-being of present and
future generations.
The Lexington Human Rights Committee had previously requested that the Select Board approve and
sign a proclamation recognizing the month of April annually as Autism Awareness and Acceptance
Month. This proclamation pledges support and encouragement for all those affected by autism within
the community.
National Library Week to be celebrated from April 6, 2025 to April 12, 2025. This proclamation
encourages all citizens to recognize the staff of the Cary Memorial Library and to visit the Library to take
advantage of the wonderful resources available.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week to be celebrated from April 13, 2025 to April 19,
2025. This proclamation encourages citizens to recognize and support the Public Safety
Telecommunicators of Lexington.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
To approve and sign proclamations to annually recognize the month of April as Autism Awareness and
Acceptance Month and to commemorate Arbor Day on Friday, April 25, 2025; National Library Week from
April 6, 2025 to April 12, 2025; and National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week from April 13, 2025 to
April 19, 2025.
Move to approve the consent.
FOLLOW-UP:
Select Board Office.
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/26/2025
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
03262025 Arbor Day Proclamation Backup Material
03262025 Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month Proclamation Backup Material
03262025 National Library Week Proclamation Backup Material
03262025 National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Proclamation Backup Material
Town of Lexington, Massachusetts
SELECT BOARD OFFICE
Proclamation
Whereas: in 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day
be set aside for the planting of trees; and
Whereas: this holiday, called Arbor Day, was first observed with the planting of more than a million
trees in Nebraska; and
Whereas: Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world; and
Whereas: trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and
cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen and provide habitat
for wildlife; and
Whereas: trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires and
countless other wood products; and
Whereas: trees in our town increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas,
and beautify our community; and
Whereas: this year the Town of Lexington has once again been recognized as a Tree City USA, the
36th year for this designation.
NOW, THEREFORE, WE THE SELECT BOARD of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts, do hereby
proclaim Friday, April 25, 2025 as
Arbor Day
in the Town of Lexington and we urge all citizens to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands
and to support our town’s urban forestry program; and further, urge all citizens to plant and protect trees
to promote the well being of present and future generations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have set our hands and caused the seal of Lexington to be affixed herewith
on the 26th of March 2025.
DOUGLAS M. LUCENTE, CHAIR JILL I. HAI
JOSEPH N. PATO MARK D. SANDEEN
VINEETA AJAY KUMAR
Town of Lexington, Massachusetts
SELECT BOARD OFFICE
Proclamation
Whereas: autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (“autism”) is a developmental disability that can cause significant
social, communication and behavioral challenges; and
Whereas: autism can cause challenges with verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction, and
repetitive behaviors, and can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, or
socioeconomic background; and
Whereas: autism is often accompanied by medical conditions that impact quality of life; and
Whereas: people with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from
neurotypical people. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can
range from gifted to severely challenged with varying needs for support; and
Whereas: the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in the United States is 1 in 36 children according to
estimates from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network; and
Whereas: children and adults with autism are our family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers; and
Whereas: each individual with autism is unique, with their own talents and qualities; and
Whereas: individuals with autism benefit from specialized services and community support to ensure their health
and safety and full participation in community life; and
Whereas: individuals with autism, families, professionals, and community members are supported through
connections with others and the sharing of resources; and
Whereas: the resilience of families and individuals with autism is strengthened through support; and
Whereas: we value what is important to people with autism and their families, who are striving to live everyday
lives; and
Whereas: positive outcomes increase for individuals with autism when training is provided to professionals across
all systems, including those in justice, healthcare, and emergency response settings; and
Whereas: the aims for Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month are to inform our community about both the
potential and needs of people with autism and to stress the importance of early diagnosis and
early intervention, as well as the importance of providing appropriate supports that continue
through adulthood; and
Whereas: Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month is an opportunity to acknowledge educators specializing in
effective teaching strategies, and to celebrate the many achievements of adolescents, students, and adults
with autism.
NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE SELECT BOARD of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim
the month of April to be recognized annually as
Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month
in the Town of Lexington and pledge our support and encouragement to all those affected by autism.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have set our hands and caused the seal of Lexington to be affixed herewith on the 26th of
March 2025.
DOUGLAS M. LUCENTE, CHAIR JILL I. HAI
JOSEPH N. PATO MARK D. SANDEEN
VINEETA AJAY KUMAR
Town of Lexington, Massachusetts
SELECT BOARD OFFICE
Proclamation
Whereas: libraries create potential and possibilities within their communities, campuses and schools; and
Whereas: libraries level the playing field for all who seek information and access to technologies; and
Whereas: libraries continuously grow and evolve in how they provide for the needs of every member of their
communities; and
Whereas: libraries and librarians open up a world of possibilities through innovative programing, access to
technology and the power of reading; and
Whereas: librarians are trained, tech-savvy professionals, providing technology training and access to
downloadable content like e-books; and
Whereas: libraries support democracy and effect social change through their commitment to provide equitable
access to information for all library users; and
Whereas: libraries, librarians, library workers and supporters across America are celebrating National Library
Week; and
Whereas: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 has been designated as National Library Workers Day in appreciation of their
work; and
Whereas: Cary Memorial Library in Lexington, Massachusetts is located in the heart of the Town center and the
library and library workers provide an invaluable service to the citizens of Lexington with
compassion, understanding and professionalism.
NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE SELECT BOARD of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts do hereby proclaim the
week of April 6 to 12, 2025 as
National Library Week
in the Town of Lexington and encourage all citizens to join us in recognizing the staff of the Cary Memorial Library
and further encourage all citizens to take advantage of the wonderful library resources available.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have set our hands and caused the seal of Lexington to be affixed herewith on the 26th
of March 2025.
DOUGLAS M. LUCENTE, CHAIR JOSEPH N. PATO
JILL I. HAI MARK D. SANDEEN
VINEETA AJAY KUMAR
Town of Lexington, Massachusetts
SELECT BOARD OFFICE
Proclamation
Whereas: emergencies can occur at any time requiring police, fire or emergency medical services; and
Whereas: when an emergency occurs the prompt response of police officers, firefighters and paramedics is
critical to the protection of life and preservation of property; and
Whereas: the safety of our police officers and firefighters is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of
information obtained from citizens who contact the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts Public
Safety Dispatch Center; and
Whereas: Public Safety Dispatchers are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency
services; and
Whereas: Public Safety Dispatchers are the single vital link for our police officers and firefighters by
monitoring their activities by radio, providing them information and insuring their safety; and
Whereas: the Public Safety Dispatchers of the Town of Lexington have contributed substantially to the
apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires, treatment of patients and comfort to resident
callers; and
Whereas: each Public Safety Dispatcher has exhibited compassion, understanding and professionalism during
the performance of their job in the past year.
NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE SELECT BOARD of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts do hereby
proclaim the week of April 13 to 19, 2025 as:
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
in the Town of Lexington and call upon all citizens to join us in recognizing the Town of Lexington Public
Safety Dispatchers whose diligence and professionalism keep our town and citizens safe.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have set our hands and caused the seal of Lexington to be affixed herewith on
the 26th of March 2025.
DOUGLAS M. LUCENTE, CHAIR JOSEPH N. PATO
JILL I. HAI MARK D. SANDEEN
VINEETA AJAY KUMAR
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Accept Select Board Committee Resignations
PRESENTER:
Doug Lucente, Chair
ITEM
NUMBER:
C.6
SUMMARY:
Category: Decision-Making
Resignation:
Lexington Human Rights Committee
The Select Board is being asked to accept the resignation of Courtney Apgar from the Lexington Human
Rights Committee, effective immediately.
Noise Advisory Committee
The Select Board is being asked to accept the resignation of Sallye Bleiberg
from the Noise Advisory Committee, effective immediately.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
To accept the resignation of Courtney Apgar from the Lexington Human Rights Committee & Sallye Bleiberg
from the Noise Advisory Committee, effective immediately.
Move to approve the consent.
FOLLOW-UP:
Select Board Office.
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/26/2025
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
03202025 Courtney Apgar - Lex Huma Rights Backup Material
2025.03.21 Sallye Bleiberg - Noise Advisory Committee Backup Material
1
Samantha Lino
From:Courtney Apgar
Sent:Thursday, March 20, 2025 3:45 PM
To:Samantha Lino
Subject:LHRC
USE CAUTION: This email came from outside the Town of Lexington. Do not click links, open attachments or respond to
the email unless you recognize the sender, you are expecting the communication and you know the content is safe.
I wish to resign from LHRC as of 3/20/25. Thank you!
Courtney Apgar
1
Samantha Lino
From:noreply@civicplus.com
Sent:Friday, March 21, 2025 11:15 AM
To:Select Board
Subject:Online Form Submittal: Contact Us - Select Board
Contact Us - Select Board
Your Name Sallye Bleiberg
Your Email
Subject Noise Advisory Committee Resignation
Message Chairman Lucente and members of the Select Board, with
great regret I must resign my appointment to the Noise
Advisory Committee
Thank you for offering
me the opportunity to contribute to Lexington by serving on this
very interesting committee. I most especially want to commend
Chair Barbara Katzenberg's and liaison Joe Pato's
contributions to the effectiveness of the committee's process.
Warmly, Sallye Bleiberg
Attach a File (Optional) Field not completed.
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Accept Report for Munroe Center for the Arts Construction Project
PRESENTER:
Mike Cronin, Director of Public
Facilities
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.1
SUMMARY:
Category: Informing
The Munroe Center for the Arts addition project is at end of the next phase, CD’s and will be moving into
Bidding and Construction. As part of the Integrated Building Design and Construction Policy, a report needs
to be submitted the SB prior to moving into the next phase. The Select Board is being asked to vote to accept
the report.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
Move to accept (not accept) the Munroe Center for the Arts addition project report as presented.
FOLLOW-UP:
Town Manager's Office.
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/26/2025 6:05pm
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
MCA 12-16-24 SB to CD Phase-final Backup Material
Munroe Center for the Arts
Building Renovation
Select Board Presentation
26 March 2025
Project Scope:
Accessibility improvements
Elevator addition
Accessible restrooms
Building wide mechanical
system replacement
Munroe Center for the Arts Building Renovation
Munroe Center for the Arts Building Renovation
Munroe Center for the Arts Building Renovation
HDC Approved on 6 March 2025
Munroe Center for the Arts Building Renovation
HDC Approved 6 March 2025
Munroe Center for the Arts Building Renovation
Integrated Building Design Policy
LEED / Lexington Checklist
With a very Focused scope (Elevator addition, bathrooms, HVAC) all categories not applicable
• Location & Transportation
o Established building site with Public Transportation and bicycle facilities
• Sustainable Sites
o Existing site already developed. Stormwater management will conform to Town by Law
Water Efficiency: Water efficient fixtures and faucets specified to comply
Energy & Atmosphere:
o Commissioning
o Optimize energy performance
o All electric
Materials & Resources:
o Storage & Collection of recyclables
o Waste Management implemented
o Wood Framing
Indoor Environmental Quality:
o Enhanced (Merv 13) Filtration
o Low emitting materials
o Avoid the use of Red List materials
LEED Accredited professionals as needed
Munroe Center for the Arts Building Renovation
DEC 24 JAN 25 FEB MAR APR
Constr. Doc’s Bidding Construction 9 to 12 Months
Winter 2025/Spring 2026
Anticipated Project Timeline
90% CD Construction Estimate
MAY
HDC Approved 6 March 2025
Munroe Center for the Arts Building Renovation
Funding Available $6,635,000
DD Estimate w/ small addition
Project Development and Equipment Costs
Building & Site Construction
Estimated Construction Cost *$5,604,576
Project Costs
Geotech CA services $25,000
Hygenist to monitor Abatement $30,000
Unsuitable Soils Allowance $50,000
Building Commissioning $25,000
Envelope Commissioning $20,000
Post Occupancy Retro commission $10,000
Clerk of the Works / OPM Fees $180,000
Materials Testing $40,000
Printing / Advertising Expenses $5,000
Legal Fees $5,000
Project Cost Contingency $75,000
$465,000
Owner's Construction Contingency $565,424
Total Projected Cost $6,635,000
* Per Estimators Email of 11/21/24
Updated Construction
Estimate due End of March
2025.
Will move forward to Bid
Phase contingent upon
Estimate within Funding.
•This completes the end of phase report. The project scope, cost and
schedule are still on target. The Design Team will proceed into Bidding
and Construction.
Thank You
Munroe Center for the Arts Building Renovation
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Approve Increase to Outdoor Dining Permit Fee
PRESENTER:
Steve Bartha, Town Manager
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.2
SUMMARY:
Category: Decision-Making
As in years' past, the Town has increased outdoor dining fees by 2.0%. Our current fee schedule is:
Up to 10 outdoor seats on public sidewalks $102 per year
Over 10 seats on public sidewalks $255 per year
The Town Manager is once again recommending a 2.0% increase consistent with the Town’s practice.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
Move to approve a 2.0% fee increase for outdoor dining permits effective for permits in 2025. New outdoor
dining permit fees would be:
Up to 10 outdoor seats on public sidewalks $104 per year
Over 10 seats on public sidewalks $260 per year
FOLLOW-UP:
Town Manager's Office.
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/26/2025 6:20pm
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Request for Approval - Inn at Hastings earlier hours on April 19, 2025 for Alcohol Service
PRESENTER:
Doug Lucente, Chair
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.3
SUMMARY:
Category: Decision-Making
The current hour on the Inn at Hasting’s liquor license to start serving alcohol is 11:00am. The Inn at Hastings
respectfully requests permission to be allowed an earlier start for Alcohol Service of 8:00am on 4/19/2025 for
their Patriot Brunch at Town Meeting Bistro.
Katia Del Rio Gacanovic, Inn at Hastings, will be at the meeting to answer any questions the Board may have.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
Move to allow alcohol service to start at 8:00am on April 19, 2025 for the Inn at Hastings Park.
FOLLOW-UP:
Select Board Office
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/26/2025 6:25pm
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Inn at Hastings request to extend Liquor License hours on 4/19 Backup Material
Kim Katzenback
Select Board
Town of Lexington
Dear Select Board,
I am writing on behalf of Inn at Hastings Park to request an exception to our current
liquor license in order to serve alcoholic beverages starting at 8:00 a.m. on Patriots’ Day, April 1
9th, 2025.
Due to the 250th anniversary of beginning of the Revolution, we will be serving a
Patriots Day Brunch from 6:00am and 3:00pm and would like to be able to ofer
alcoholic beverages.
Given the nature of the event and the anticipated demand for early service, we
respectfully request that an exception be made to allow us to serve alcohol
beginning at 8:00 a.m. on April 19th, 2025. We are confident that this adjustment will enhance
the experience for our patrons while maintaining compliance with the law.
Thank you for considering our request.
Sincerely,
Katia Del Rio Gacanovic
General Manager
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
2025 Annual Town Meeting - Select Board Article Presenters, Discussion and Positions
PRESENTER:
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.4
SUMMARY:
Category: Informing
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
2025 Annual Town Meeting
SUGGESTED MOTION:
FOLLOW-UP:
Select Board Office.
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/26/2025 6:30pm
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
V7-_2025_ATM_Positions_Chart_Worksheet Backup Material
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 Y
Financial Articles
4 Appropriate FY2026 Operating Budget DL Y Y Y Y Y
5 Appropriate FY2026 Enterprise Funds Budgets TBD Y Y Y Y Y
6 Amend Fy2025 Operating, Enterprise And CPA Budgets MS Y Y Y Y Y
7 Sustainable Projects JP Y Y Y Y Y
8 Appropriate Funding To Construct a Playground In Fletcher Park (Citizen Petition)- IP 2/24/2025 PC IP Y Y Y Y Y
9 Establish and Continue Departmental Revolving Funds JH Y Y Y Y Y
10
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 - Proposed Consent
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- Proposed Consent
1/27/2025 MS
PC
PC
Y Y Y Y Y
11 Appropriate For Recreation Capital Projects JH PC Y Y Y Y Y
12 Appropriate For Municipal Capital Projects And Equipment
a) Transportation Mitigation
b) Fire Pumper Truck
c) Equipment Replacement
PC Y Y Y Y Y
Y Y Y Y Y
PC Y Y Y Y Y
As of 3/17/2025 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
12 (cont.)
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
JP
PC Y Y Y Y Y
PC Y Y Y Y Y
PC Y Y Y Y Y
PC Y Y Y Y Y
Y Y Y Y Y
Y Y Y Y Y
Y Y Y Y Y
Y Y Y Y Y
PC Y Y Y Y Y
PC Y Y Y Y Y
13 Appropriate For Water System Improvements. PC Y Y Y Y Y
14 Appropriate For Wastewater System Improvements PC Y Y Y Y Y
15 Appropriate For School Capital Projects And Equipment PC Y Y Y Y Y
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
e) Central Administration Building Demolition
f) Estabrook Elementary School Nurse Bathroom Renovation
JP
PC
Y
Y Y Y Y
PC Y Y Y Y Y
PC Y Y Y Y Y
PC Y Y Y Y Y
Y Y Y Y Y
Y Y Y Y Y
17 Appropriate To Post Employment Insurance Liability Fund JP PC Y Y Y Y Y
18 Rescind Prior Borrowing Authorizations PC Y Y Y Y Y
19 Establish, Amend, Dissolve And Appropriate To And From Specified Stabilization Funds TBD Y Y Y Y Y
20 Appropriate For Prior Years’ Unpaid Bills - IP PC IP Y Y Y Y Y
21 Appropriate For Authorized Capital Improvements. - IP PC IP Y Y Y Y Y
General Articles
As of 3/17/2025 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 PC Y Y Y Y Y
23 Dispose Of 116 Vine Street 3/10/2025 MS W Y Y Y W
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 Y
25 Amendment To Town Meeting Management Provisions In Town Bylaws (Citizen Petition) DL W Y W Y W
26 Local Voting Rights For Lawful Permanent Residents (Citizen Petition) 2/14/2025 JH Y Y Y Y Y
27 Allow 16 Year Olds Voting Rights In Municipal Elections (Citizen Petition) 2/24/2025 DL Y Y Y Y Y
28 Accurate Reporting On The Negative Aspects Of Lithium-Ion Batteries (Citizen Petition) 1/27/2025 MS Y Y Y W W
Zoning Articles
29 Amend Zoning Bylaw - Bicycle Parking - REFER BACK TO PB 3/10/2025 MS PC Y Y Y Y Y
30 Amend Zoning Bylaw - Inclusionary Housing For Special Residential Developments 3/10/2025 JH W Y Y W Y
31 Amend Zoning Bylaw - National Flood Insurance (NFI) District 3/10/2025 DL Y Y Y Y Y
32 Amend Zoning Bylaw And Map - Technical Corrections 3/10/2025 TBD Y Y Y Y Y
33 Amend Zoning Bylaw - Accessory Uses 3/10/2025 JP Y Y Y Y Y
34 Amend Section 7.5 Of The Zoning Bylaw To Reduce Multi-Family Dwelling Unit Capacity
(Citizen Petition) W W W W W
As of 3/17/2025 Select Board Meeting
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
AGENDA ITEM TITLE:
Select Board Report to Annual Town Meeting 2025
PRESENTER:
Board Discussion
ITEM
NUMBER:
I.5
SUMMARY:
Final copy of Select Board Report to 2025 Annual Town Meeting.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
FOLLOW-UP:
Select Board Office.
DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA:
3/26/2025 6:45pm
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
03262025 Select Board Report to Annual Town Meeting 2025 FINAL Backup Material
03262025 Select Board Report to Annual Town Meeting 2025 Redline
Version Backup Material
SELECT BOARD
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
SELECT BOARD REPORT TO THE
2025 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
MARCH 24, 2025
Select Board:
Douglas M. Lucente, Chair; Jill I. Hai, Vice-Chair; Joseph N. Pato;
Mark D. Sandeen Vineeta Kumar;
Kim Katzenback, Executive Clerk
Table of Contents
Message from the Select Board Page 1
Town Manager Transition Page 3
Lexington High School Project Page 3
Affordable Housing Initiatives Page 4
Economic Development and Community Vitality Page 6
2025: The 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington Page 8
1
March 2025
Message from the Select Board
As we present this report to the Annual Town Meeting of 2025, we reflect on a year marked by
meaningful progress and investment in Lexington’s infrastructure, community, and
sustainability initiatives. This report includes detailed sections on the Lexington High School
Project, the Town Manager transition, Affordable Housing Initiatives, and Economic
Development and Community Vitality.
Key Updates:
Infrastructure: Significant infrastructure improvements remained a key priority
throughout the past year. Notably, the Hartwell Avenue and Bedford Street Complete
Streets Reconstruction Project advanced considerably, incorporating enhancements
focused on safety, mobility, and accessibility, such as raised medians, sidewalks, and
shared-use paths. Continued community dialogue ensured attention to pedestrian and
cyclist safety concerns for this project anticipated to be on the State’s Transportation
Improvement Plan in the 2030s. The Board also prioritized sidewalk improvements in the
next several years, especially on Burlington Street and North Street, recognizing their
critical role in pedestrian safety and connectivity. Recent major zoning changes related to
MBTA Zoning have prompted additional municipal planning efforts to meet increased
infrastructure demands across water, sewer, public safety, and transportation services.
Further investments in sidewalk expansions, town-wide traffic signal upgrades, public
parking lot enhancements, and intersection improvements—particularly at the Adams
Street intersections with East and Hancock Streets—underscore our ongoing
commitment to enhancing town-wide safety and accessibility.
ARPA: The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds have now been fully allocated,
marking the completion of strategic investments designed to directly benefit the
community. Key initiatives included expanding free public Wi-Fi in the Town Center,
Center Fields, and Lincoln Field; launching the implementation of SeeClickFix to enhance
communication between residents and town departments, with ongoing development
and improvements; installing a seasonal event tent to support community events;
funding a two-year mental health clinician position; and providing ongoing Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training initiatives. Throughout the allocation process, the
Board maintained a careful and flexible approach, ensuring compliance with federal
guidelines and reserving funds for impactful projects. Notably, consideration of an
electric or hybrid trolley acquisition was deferred due to cost and timing constraints.
2
Climate Leadership: The Select Board reviewed and approved updates to the Fleet
Electrification Roadmap and Policy, aligning Lexington’s vehicle acquisition goals with
the Massachusetts Climate Leaders Program. Zero waste initiatives, informed by a Tufts
University survey, focused discussions on expanding curbside composting, automated
waste collection, enhanced recycling, and continued community conversations on the
idea of a phased Pay-As-You-Throw program. The Board also considered a phased
Single-Use Plastic Bottle Phase-Out Policy, initially targeting municipal departments.
Further discussions included solar assessments for municipal parking lots and potential
future funding of a Sustainability Coordinator to leverage grant opportunities.
We would like to take a moment to warmly welcome our new Town Manager, Steve Bartha,
whose leadership and fresh perspective will undoubtedly help shape Lexington's continued
growth and prosperity. We also extend a heartfelt welcome to our newest Select Board member,
Vineeta Kumar, who joined us in March 2025. We look forward to her valuable contributions.
We also express our sincere gratitude to Suzie Barry, whose dedicated service and thoughtful
leadership on the Select Board concluded in March 2025. Her contributions have significantly
benefited our community, and we thank her for her years of commitment.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding this report, the Board encourages 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.
● Doug Lucente, Chair: dlucente@lexingtonma.gov
● Joe Pato: jpato@lexingtonma.gov
● Jill Hai, Vice Chair: jhai@lexingtonma.gov
● Mark Sandeen: msandeen@lexingtonma.gov
● Vineeta Kumar: vkumar@lexingtonma.gov
Respectfully submitted,
Lexington Select Board
Douglas M. Lucente, Chair
Joseph N. Pato
Jill I. Hai, Vice Chair
Mark D. Sandeen
Vineeta Kumar
3
Town Manager Transition
On March 21, 2024, Town Manager Jim Malloy announced his intention to retire at the end of his
then current contract, September 30, 2024. The Select Board is grateful to Mr. Malloy for his years
of service and stewardship.
In April, the Select Board issued a Request for Quotations (RFQ) for an Executive Search firm to
run the recruitment for the next town manager. The Board received four responses to their RFQ
and interviewed three firms, eventually selecting GovHR as the Executive Recruiting Firm to lead
the search.
The Board also created a charge for a Town Manager Search Screening Committee (TMSSC),
seeking a diverse group of residents to assist the Search firm in screening applicants. The TMSSC
was to be comprised of two Select Board members (SB), a Planning Board (PB)member, a
representative of the business community and five at large residents, to be chosen to represent “a
diversity of lived experience, relevant expertise and community involvement”, as well as liaisons
from each of the two finance committees.
The members of the TMSSC were: Sarah Bothwell Allen, Bob Creech (PB), Jill Hai (SB), Heather
Hartshorn (Business Community), Vineeta Kumar, Charles Lamb (CEC liaison), Robert
Mandeville, Sean Osborne (AC liaison), Janet Perry, Mark Sandeen (SB), and Helen Yang
The Select Board appointed Kelly Axtell as Acting Town Manager. Ms. Axtell served in that role
from October 1st through November 3, 2024.
Between May and August, the TMSSC created criteria, interview and essay questions, reviewed
two dozen applications and selected 11 candidates for further review. Second round submission
materials, including essay responses to TMSSC questions and work product examples were
reviewed and the committee held a full day of interviews with six semi-final candidates in
August. The committee recommended three applicants to the Select Board for final interviews.
The Select Board interviewed the three recommended candidates and on September 4, 2024, voted
to engage Steve Bartha, then Town Manager of Danvers, as Lexington’s next Town Manager. Mr.
Bartha began work in Lexington November 4, 2024. Since that date, Mr. Bartha has been meeting
with departments, individual staff, committees, and resident groups as he continues to integrate
into the community.
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. Beginning in 2019, Lexington
submitted Statement of Interest (SOI) applications each year to the Massachusetts School Building
Authority (MSBA) to evaluate LHS for insufficient educational capacity and system upgrades. In
2022 Lexington was invited into the MSBA Eligibility Period beginning the current process for
the project.
In November, 2024, the Lexington High School Building Committee (SBC) selected the Bloom
option after lengthy consideration of a wide range of alternatives. Bloom was deemed the
4
superior option due to several key advantages over other options which also met the minimum
requirements for satisfying the educational program and safety needs. These advantages include
cost-effectiveness, construction efficiency, and minimized disruption for students and
community users.
On February 26, 2025, the MSBA Board of Directors approved the Town of Lexington’s Preferred
Schematic Report submission. With this approval, the Lexington High School Building project
has successfully progressed into Module 4: Schematic Design phase of the MSBA process. The
proposed Bloom project includes a new building adjacent to the current LHS facility while
maintaining the existing field house with an addition and renovation.
During the schematic design phase, the project design team will refine the Bloom concept and
create a robust schematic design from which the MSBA will generate a scope, budget, schedule,
and MSBA financial grant award. This team is composed of Dore and Whittier, Owner’s Project
Manager; SMMA, Architects; and Turner Construction, Construction Manager at Risk. The team
has been guided by the SBC to produce a responsible design that avoids unnecessary expense.
The team is working with key stakeholders to adjust the Bloom concept to address community
concerns regarding building massing, site traffic, and facility use.
We anticipate that the project will be presented for approval to the MSBA during the summer of
2025 and will then come for community approval through a Special Town Meeting in the fall of
2025 followed by a debt exclusion vote at the end of the year. At the special town meeting we also
expect to seek authorization for an Article 97 land swap to be submitted to the state legislature.
This land swap would relocate some recreation fields to the footprint of the existing LHS and
parking areas while building the new structure on the former field locations. Occupancy in the
new or renovated facility is expected at the end of 2029.
Detailed information about the project is publicly available at:
https://lhsproject.lexingtonma.org
Affordable Housing Initiatives
One of the Select Board’s highest priority goals is to enhance community vibrancy by increasing
the diversity of housing stock in size, accessibility, and price including increasing the availability
of affordable housing.
Lexington has a serious affordable housing crisis that has been decades in the making. Housing
prices are rising much faster than household incomes. The average sale price of a Lexington home
rose to over $1.9 million in 2024, with the average price of a new construction home reaching $3
million. The Massachusetts Municipal Association data also shows that Lexington’s median gross
rents are the highest of any municipality in the Commonwealth. 24% of Lexington homeowners
and 44% of Lexington renters are housing cost burdened, spending at least 30% to 50% of their
income on housing.
Currently only 6% of Lexington’s housing stock is truly affordable, while 21% of Lexington
households qualify as low-income. The result is that the demand for affordable housing is quite
high, with 10 to 20 applicants per each newly available affordable home. That translates into
families waiting between 5 and 8 years to secure affordable housing in Lexington.
5
Between 2011 and June of 2023, Lexington had a net gain of zero affordable housing units on the
Subsidized Housing Inventory or SHI. Since that time Lexington has had a net gain of 11 truly
affordable units on the SHI, largely due to the creation of 21 units of affordable housing as part
of the Waterstone/Bridges project approved by 2018 Special Town Meeting.
The Select Board and Town Meeting have taken several recent actions to increase the availability
of affordable housing in Lexington. Special Town Meeting 2022-3 approved the creation of the
Affordable Housing Trust and the reorganization of LexHAB as an independent 501(c)3
organization.
The legislature approved the reorganization of LexHAB in September of 2024, which will allow
the reorganized LexHAB to access more diverse sources of funding, including private donations,
federal and state funding, in addition to local appropriations. The reorganization also enables
faster, more efficient, and lower cost housing production. Soon after the reorganization, LexHAB
received a donation of a property that LexHAB will convert to an affordable home for Lexington
residents in perpetuity.
The Affordable Housing Trust was formed to preserve and create affordable housing, with a
structure that provides the ability to respond to opportunities and funding requests from
Lexington housing partners like LexHAB and the Lexington Housing Authority in real time.
The Affordable Housing Trust funded two LexHAB property purchases in its first year of
operation, creating affordable housing for three families in response to highly time sensitive
opportunities.
2024 Annual Town Meeting overwhelmingly approved Article 33 authorizing the Select Board
and the Affordable Housing Trust to create 40 units of 100% truly affordable housing at an
average of 60% of Area Median Income on Town owned property located near Lowell and North
Street. The Town received 7 proposals and has signed a land disposition agreement with the
winning team. The developer has begun the community engagement and due diligence process
defined in the RFP.
The proposed design significantly exceeds the RFP requirements in many ways, including
providing housing that is well integrated with the neighborhood, designed to feel like 8
individual buildings, with a community meeting area and a common space walking area, dark
sky compliant lighting, thoughtfully designed landscaping that preserves as many existing native
trees as possible, supplemented with new native plants to enhance ecological systems, and almost
an acre of protected woodland area. Each home will have ample natural daylight, outdoor space,
in unit laundry, elevator accessibility, universally accessible design, communal storage space,
bike storage, and covered parking.
They will be all-electric, solar powered homes, built to Passive House standards. The economics
of building to these standards are excellent for both the residents and the developer.
The residents will live in a home with incredibly healthy indoor air quality, that is extremely
quiet, provides amazing thermal comfort, and exceptional resilience. Massachusetts Dept of
Energy Resources studies show that multi-family buildings built to Passive House standards have
such excellent thermal resilience that they can go a week without electric power on the coldest
week of the year, with indoor temperatures dropping only 6 or 7° F. No backup power
needed. The selected developer has built several affordable housing Passive House buildings and
has now made it their design standard.
6
That excellent thermal performance also lowers the cost of HVAC equipment, as the heating loads
for a Passive House building are roughly an order of magnitude lower than a standard building
code building. Because those heating and cooling loads are so low, a central heating and cooling
system for all of the units will be entirely powered by solar panels on the roof. That means the
residents will have zero cost for heating or cooling their homes.
And because that power is provided entirely by the sun, it will be insulated from the dramatic
energy price spikes we've seen over the last few years. This is especially important because low-
income households in the Boston area have the highest median energy burden in the country,
spending 14% of their income on energy.
Building affordable housing to Passive House standards is among the best ways the Town can
address both the housing cost burden and the energy cost burden of its low-income residents.
Perhaps most importantly the homes built on Lowell & North Street will be incredibly healthy,
comfortable, and resilient homes for the residents.
All affordable housing initiatives require significant sources of funding. The Community
Preservation Committee currently provides the majority of affordable housing funds to LexHAB
and is the only significant source of funding for the Affordable Housing Trust. The anticipated
requests from the Lexington Housing Authority, LexHAB, and the Affordable Housing Trust for
community housing initiatives are likely to exceed the amount of available Community
Preservation Act funds in the coming years.
Lexington 2021 Annual Town Meeting approved Article 36 to submit a home rule petition
requesting legislative authority to establish a surcharge on specific commercial development
activities for the purpose of funding affordable housing. The legislature recently approved that
home rule petition by passing H.2740 “An Act to establish a surcharge on specific commercial
development activities for the purpose of funding the creation of community housing.” The
Governor signed the bill on January 8, 2025.
The Select Board is now required to set a linkage fee rate within a year. The Select Board
authorized Town staff to commission a study funded under Article 36, to assess commercial
development and housing inventory trends before recommending an appropriate range of
linkage fee rates. Given that commercial development trends have slowed considerably since
2021, expectations for this source of funds are fairly modest. Any funds generated from the
linkage fee would be transferred to the Affordable Housing Trust.
Another potential source of funding was not approved by the legislature. Lexington 2020 Special
Town Meeting approved Article 6 to submit a home rule petition requesting legislative authority
to establish a surcharge on residential development for the purpose of funding affordable
housing. Unfortunately, the legislature took no action on that home rule petition during this or
the previous legislative session. For that reason, that Article 6 home rule petition failed and can
only be reconsidered by the legislature after another vote of Lexington Town Meeting.
Economic Development and Community Vitality Initiatives
In 2024-25 the Select Board continued to support initiatives which stimulate economic
development and commercial expansion within the town, including revitalizing the downtown.
Among the key strategies has been the formation of strong partnerships with local business
7
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 Small Business
Roundtable discussions organized by the Economic Development Department.
These are some highlights from the Economic Development Department’s efforts in 2024-25.
Lex 250 and Tourism: The Visitor’s Center has seen 60,000 visitors come through our doors
since July 2024, compared to 51,000 travelers in the year prior. The increase in foot traffic
stems from Lex250th promotion, advertising and marketing efforts with National
Geographic, BBC, WCVB, and NYT which have reached at least 15 million people around
the world to promote the 250th Celebrations in Lexington. Furthermore,
TourLexington.us, Lexington’s main tourism website, which was launched in January
2024, has hit over 100,000 users and over 300,000 page views. These efforts have led to
increases in foot traffic, merchandise revenue and a 56% increase in revenue through
online tour booking channels. The Lexington Visitors Center has received new
merchandise to accommodate the influx of tourists who will come for Patriots’ Day
Weekend.
Local Economic Policy Enhancements: 2024 ATM passed Article 39 Home Rule Petition to
Adjust the Number of On-Premise Wine and Malt Alcohol Licenses. State Representative
Michelle Ciccolo brought filed House Bill HD.3893 requesting our home rule petition
which was referred to the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional
Licensure on 3/13/2025. At their June 24, 2024 meeting the Select Board voted for a
revised Alcohol Beverage License Regulations updated to include the new zoning. This
2024 policy expands the scope to include event spaces and craft beverage establishments,
not just restaurants, for eligibility for a License to serve alcoholic beverages. This includes
locations such as Pinot’s Palette, The Venue, Galaray House, and Craft Foods who could
apply for a liquor license to serve liquor as part of their operations.
Wayfinding Signs: In East Lexington, wayfinding signs have been installed at Bow Street
to direct travelers to restaurants, coffee shops, and businesses. People who may not have
known these options exist can now go enjoy a cup of coffee, buy a bagel, or find a new
place to get their haircut. In addition to East Lexington, new signage is coming to
Lexington Center. The Economic Development Department is bringing a large kiosk at
the Grain Mill Alley Bike Node next to the solar bench to direct visitors and travelers to
Lexington’s historic amenities, businesses, and restaurants. Similar to East Lexington,
these signs will appear along the Minuteman Bikeway. In addition to this initiative, work
is being done in Lexington Center and in East Lexington to connect the Minuteman
Bikeway to our business community. In East Lexington, Wayfinding Signs
Art Installations and Vibrancy efforts: Later this year, travelers on the bikeway may see new
art installations at 55 Massachusetts Avenue, 131 Massachusetts Avenue, and the shops
at 135-145 Massachusetts Avenue. This work was funded through the American Rescue
Plan Act and is part of the Rapid Recovery Plan that began during the COVID-19
pandemic. Finally, the Economic Development Department is working with landscape
architects and the Department of Public Works to landscape that area to open up the
space and install new benches. In addition to these signs, the Economic Development
Department is also working on bringing murals to businesses along the bikeway.
8
Additionally, there is a collaborative effort from Lexington Economic Development, the
Lexington Center Committee, and the Lexington History Museum to bring art to
Lexington Depot.
Commercial Development: Lexington welcomed more than six small businesses including
new cafes in the Center and three large life sciences businesses in 2024. These cafés have
transformed Lexington Center into a breakfast destination for all. Major vacancies have
been filled including the former Starbucks which is now Revival Café, and the Bertucci’s
Pizza location which is now Tatte. Additionally, long-term vacancies in the center and
across town have seen increased interest. More cafes and restaurants are slated to open
their doors this summer and fall in Lexington Center. Lexington and Cambridge current
lab market vacancy rates are both close to 19%, while Burlington and Waltham have
higher vacancy rates of 29% and 22%, respectively.
Center Revitalization: On December 16, 2024 the Economic Development Advisory
Committee and Lexington Center Committee presented to the Select Board, a set of
recommendations based on Lexington Center: The Journey Forward. The recommendations
were the following:
1) Focus on ways to create more welcoming and inviting entryways from key access
points (parking lots, bike path, Visitors Center)
2) Convene a forum of relevant municipal bodies and committees to ensure alignment
around application of new bylaws
3) Evaluating options for supporting Lexington Center programming.
4) Prioritize decision(s) regarding use of town-owned land in Lexington Center.
The Select Board has made Center Revitalization a major goal to work on over the next two years.
2025: The 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington
Preparations for Lexington’s landmark 250th Anniversary of the Battle have been extensive and
community-oriented, reflecting both historical reverence and inclusive celebration. Throughout the past
year, the Select Board has actively engaged in a range of discussions, projects, and events designed to
honor this momentous occasion thoughtfully and collaboratively.
Monument Project: Extensive deliberation occurred regarding the proposed 250th Anniversary
Monument at Belfry Hill Park. Community discussions provided valuable insights and raised
critical considerations about the monument's scale, symbolic design, ongoing maintenance, and
site suitability. Despite thorough evaluation and dialogue, the Historic Districts Commission
(HDC) ultimately denied the Certificate of Appropriateness, effectively concluding the project.
Inter Municipal Collaboration: Lexington continued strengthening historical and celebratory ties
with neighboring communities through an Inter Municipal Agreement (IMA) with Arlington,
Concord, and Lincoln, collectively allocating $200,000 towards collaborative planning and event
execution for the 250th celebration.
US Army Participation and Special Events: The Select Board received and considered a special
request from the US Army Military District of Washington DC, involving several prestigious
Army units, notably the Golden Knights Parachute Team, for participation in commemorative
activities on April 19, 2025. Recognizing the exceptional historical significance of the anniversary,
the Board granted a unique, one-time exemption to the Select Board’s Battle Green Regulation,
which typically prohibits parachuting onto the Battle Green. Careful consideration was given to
9
balancing the historical gravity and ceremonial appropriateness of these events against
established town regulations and historical site protections.
Invitation to Dignitaries: The Select Board voted to approve the Semiquincentennial Commission
(Lex250)’s recommendation to extend invitations to local, state, federal and international
dignitaries to attend the 250th Anniversary celebrations. Board discussions surrounding this vote
were comprehensive, underscoring an important consideration: ensuring the dignitary presence
does not overshadow the celebration’s primary focus—the Lexington community and its
heritage. The Board emphasized thoughtful selection to maintain the event’s community-centric
spirit.
International Engagement – Antony, France: Recognizing Lexington’s global historical connections,
the Select Board strongly supported inviting our longstanding sister city, Antony, France, to
participate in the anniversary celebrations. This international collaboration underscores our
town’s historical significance, celebrating longstanding international relationships and fostering
meaningful cultural exchange.
As we approach the commemorative date, we acknowledge with gratitude the numerous volunteers,
community groups, historical organizations, town staff, and regional partners working diligently toward
a meaningful and memorable celebration. The Select Board remains committed to ensuring the 250th
Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington is commemorated in a manner that honors our history, celebrates
our vibrant community, and fosters connections both local and global.
SELECT BOARD
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
SELECT BOARD REPORT TO THE
2025 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
MARCH 24 , 2025
Select Board:
Douglas M. Lucente, Chair; Jill I. Hai, Vice-Chair; Joseph N. Pato;
Mark D. Sandeen Vineeta Kumar;
Kim Katzenback, Executive Clerk
Table of Contents
Message from the Select Board Page 1
Town Manager Transition Page 3
Lexington High School Project Page 3
Affordable Housing Initiatives Page 4
Economic Development and Community Vitality Page 6
2025: The 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington Page 8
1
March 2025
Message from the Select Board
As we present this report to the Annual Town Meeting of 2025, we reflect on a year marked by
meaningful progress and investment in Lexington’s infrastructure, community, and
sustainability initiatives. This report includes detailed sections on the Lexington High School
Project, the Town Manager transition, Affordable Housing Initiatives, and Economic
Development and Community Vitality.
Key Updates:
Infrastructure: Significant infrastructure improvements remained a key priority
throughout the past year. Notably, the Hartwell Avenue and Bedford Street Complete
Streets Reconstruction Project advanced considerably, incorporating enhancements
focused on safety, mobility, and accessibility, such as raised medians, sidewalks, and
shared-use paths. Continued community dialogue ensured attention to pedestrian and
cyclist safety concerns for this project anticipated to be on the State’s Transportation
Improvement Plan in the 2030s. The Board also prioritized sidewalk improvements in the
next several years, especially on Burlington Street and North Street, recognizing their
critical role in pedestrian safety and connectivity. Recent major zoning changes related to
MBTA Zoning have prompted additional municipal planning efforts to meet increased
infrastructure demands across water, sewer, public safety, and transportation services.
Further investments in sidewalk expansions, town-wide traffic signal upgrades, public
parking lot enhancements, and intersection improvements—particularly at the Adams
Street intersections with East and Hancock Streets—underscore our ongoing
commitment to enhancing town-wide safety and accessibility.
ARPA: The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds have now been fully allocated,
marking the completion of strategic investments designed to directly benefit the
community. Key initiatives included expanding free public Wi-Fi in the Town Center,
Center Fields, and Lincoln Field; launching the implementation of SeeClickFix to enhance
communication between residents and town departments, with ongoing development
and improvementsimplementing SeeClickFix to improve communication between
residents and town departments; installing a seasonal event tent to support community
events; funding a two-year mental health clinician position; and providing ongoing
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training initiatives. Throughout the allocation
process, the Board maintained a careful and flexible approach, ensuring compliance with
2
federal guidelines and reserving funds for impactful projects. Notably, consideration of
an electric or hybrid trolley acquisition was deferred due to cost and timing constraints.
Climate Leadership: The Select Board reviewed and approved updates to the Fleet
Electrification Roadmap and Policy, aligning Lexington’s vehicle acquisition goals with
the Massachusetts Climate Leaders Program. Zero waste initiatives, informed by a Tufts
University survey, focused discussions on expanding curbside composting, automated
waste collection, enhanced recycling, and continued community conversations on the
idea of a phased Pay-As-You-Throw program. The Board also considered a phased
Single-Use Plastic Bottle Phase-Out Policy, initially targeting municipal departments.
Further discussions included solar assessments for municipal parking lots and potential
future funding of a Sustainability Coordinator to leverage grant opportunities.
We would like to take a moment to warmly welcome our new Town Manager, Steve Bartha,
whose leadership and fresh perspective will undoubtedly help shape Lexington's continued
growth and prosperity. We also extend a heartfelt welcome to our newest Select Board member,
Vineeta Kumar, who joined us in March 2025. We look forward to her valuable contributions.
We also express our sincere gratitude to Suzie Barry, whose dedicated service and thoughtful
leadership on the Select Board concluded in March 2025. Her contributions have significantly
benefited our community, and we thank her for her years of commitment.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding this report, the Board encourages 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.
● Doug Lucente, Chair: dlucente@lexingtonma.gov
● Joe Pato: jpato@lexingtonma.gov
● Jill Hai, Vice Chair: jhai@lexingtonma.gov
● Mark Sandeen: msandeen@lexingtonma.gov
● Vineeta Kumar: vkumar@lexingtonma.gov
Respectfully submitted,
Lexington Select Board
Douglas M. Lucente, Chair
Joseph N. Pato
Jill I. Hai, Vice Chair
Mark D. Sandeen
Vineeta Kumar
3
Town Manager Transition
On March 21, 2024, Town Manager Jim Malloy announced his intention to retire at the end of his
then current contract, September 30, 2024. The Select Board is grateful to Mr. Malloy for his years
of service and stewardshipthen drafted a process and timeline for recruitment and transition to a
new Town Manager.
In April, the Select Board issued a Request for Quotations (RFQ) for an Executive Search firm to
run the recruitment for the next town manager. The Board received four responses to their RFQ
and interviewed three firms, eventually selecting GovHR as the Executive Recruiting Firm to lead
the search.
The Board also created a charge for a Town Manager Search Screening Committee (TMSSC),
seeking a diverse group of residents to assist the Search firm in screening applicants. The TMSSC
was to be comprised of two Select Board members (SB), a Planning Board (PB)member, a
representative of the business community and five at large residents, to be chosen to represent “a
diversity of lived experience, relevant expertise and community involvement”, as well as liaisons
from each of the two finance committees.
The members of the TMSSC were: Sarah Bothwell Allen,; Bob Creech (PB),; Jill Hai (SB), ; Heather
Hartshorn (Business Community),: Vineeta Kumar,; Charles Lamb (CEC liaison),; Robert
Mandeville, ; Sean Osborne (AC liaison), ; Janet Perry, ; Mark Sandeen (SB), and; Helen Yang
The Select Board appointed Kelly Axtell as Acting Town Manager. Ms. Axtell served in that role
from October 1st through November 3, 2024.
Between May and August, the TMSSC created criteria, interview and essay questions, reviewed
two dozen applications and selected 11 candidates for further review. Second round submission
materials, including essay responses to TMSSC questions and work product examples were
reviewed and the committee held a full day of interviews with six semi-final candidates in
August. The committee recommended three applicants to the Select Board for final interviews.
The Select Board interviewed the three recommended candidates and on September 4, 2024, voted
to engage Steve Bartha, then Town Manager of Danvers, as Lexington’s next Town Manager. Mr.
Bartha began work in Lexington November 4, 2024. Since that date, Mr. Bartha has been meeting
with departments, individual staff, committees, and resident groups as he continues to integrate
into the community.
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. Beginning in 2019, Lexington
submitted Statement of Interest (SOI) applications each year to the Massachusetts School Building
Authority (MSBA) to evaluate LHS for insufficient educational capacity and system upgrades. In
2022 Lexington was invited into the MSBA Eligibility Period beginning the current process for
the project.
4
In November, 2024, the Lexington High School Building Committee (SBC) selected the Bloom
option after lengthy consideration of a wide range of alternatives. Bloom was deemed the
superior option due to several key advantages over other options which also met the minimum
requirements for satisfying the educational program and safety needs. These advantages include
cost-effectiveness, construction efficiency, and minimized disruption for students and
community users.
On February 26, 2025, the MSBA Board of Directors approved the Town of Lexington’s Preferred
Schematic Report submission. With this approval, the Lexington High School Building project
has successfully progressed into Module 4: Schematic Design phase of the MSBA process. The
proposed Bloom project includes a new building adjacent to the current LHS facility while
maintaining the existing field house with an addition and renovation.
During the schematic design phase, the project design team will refine the Bloom concept and
create a robust schematic design from which the MSBA will generate a scope, budget, schedule,
and MSBA financial grant award. This team is composed of Dore and Whittier, Owner’s Project
Manager; SMMA, Architects; and Turner Construction, Construction Manager at Risk. The team
has been guided by the SBC to produce a responsible design that avoids unnecessary expense.
The team is working with key stakeholders to adjust the Bloom concept to address community
concerns regarding building massing, site traffic, and facility use.
We anticipate that the project will be presented for approval to the MSBA during the summer of
2025 and will then come for community approval through a Special Town Meeting in the fall of
2025 followed by a debt exclusion vote at the end of the year. At the special town meeting we also
expect to seek authorization for an Article 97 land swap to be submitted to the state legislature.
This land swap would relocate some recreation fields to the footprint of the existing LHS and
parking areas while building the new structure on the former field locations. Occupancy in the
new or renovated facility is expected at the end of 2029.
Detailed information about the project is publicly available at:
https://lhsproject.lexingtonma.org
Affordable Housing Initiatives
One of the Select Board’s highest priority goals is to enhance community vibrancy by increasing
the diversity of housing stock in size, accessibility, and price including increasing the availability
of affordable housing.
Lexington has a serious affordable housing crisis that has been decades in the making. Housing
prices are rising much faster than household incomes. The average sale price of a Lexington home
rose to over $1.9 million in 2024, with the average price of a new construction home reaching $3
million. The Massachusetts Municipal Association data also shows that Lexington’s median gross
rents are the highest of any municipality in the Commonwealth. 24% of Lexington homeowners
and 44% of Lexington renters are housing cost burdened, spending at least 30% to 50% of their
income on housing.
Currently only 6% of Lexington’s housing stock is truly affordable, while 21% of Lexington
households qualify as low-income. The result is that the demand for affordable housing is quite
5
high, with 10 to 20 applicants per each newly available affordable home. That translates into
families waiting between 5 and 8 years to secure affordable housing in Lexington.
Between 2011 and June of 2023, Lexington had a net gain of zero affordable housing units on the
Subsidized Housing Inventory or SHI. Since that time Lexington has had a net gain of 11 truly
affordable units on the SHI, largely due to the creation of 21 units of affordable housing as part
of the Waterstone/Bridges project approved by 2018 Special Town Meeting.
The Select Board and Town Meeting have taken several recent actions to increase the availability
of affordable housing in Lexington. Special Town Meeting 2022-3 approved the creation of the
Affordable Housing Trust and the reorganization of LexHAB as an independent 501(c)3
organization.
The legislature approved the reorganization of LexHAB in September of 2024, which will allow
the reorganized LexHAB to access more diverse sources of funding, including private donations,
federal and state funding, in addition to local appropriations. The reorganization also enables
faster, more efficient, and lower cost housing production. Soon after the reorganization, LexHAB
received a donation of a property that LexHAB will convert to an affordable home for Lexington
residents in perpetuity.
The Affordable Housing Trust was formed to preserve and create affordable housing, with a
structure that provides the ability to respond to opportunities and funding requests from
Lexington housing partners like LexHAB and the Lexington Housing Authority in real time.
The Affordable Housing Trust funded two LexHAB property purchases in its first year of
operation, creating affordable housing for three families in response to highly time sensitive
opportunities.
20243 Annual Town Meeting overwhelmingly approved Article 33 authorizing the Select Board
and the Affordable Housing Trust to create 40 units of 100% truly affordable housing at an
average of 60% of Area Median Income on Town owned property located near Lowell and North
Street. The Town received 7 proposals and has signed a land disposition agreement with the
winning team. The developer has begun the community engagement and due diligence process
defined in the RFP.
The proposed design significantly exceeds the RFP requirements in many ways, including
providing housing that is well integrated with the neighborhood, designed to feel like 8
individual buildings, with a community meeting area and a common space walking area, dark
sky compliant lighting, thoughtfully designed landscaping that preserves as many existing native
trees as possible, supplemented with new native plants to enhance ecological systems, and almost
an acre of protected woodland area. Each home will have ample natural daylight, outdoor space,
in unit laundry, elevator accessibility, universally accessible design, communal storage space,
bike storage, and covered parking.
They will be all-electric, solar powered homes, built to Passive House standards. The economics
of building to these standards are excellent for both the residents and the developer.
The residents will live in a home with incredibly healthy indoor air quality, that is extremely
quiet, provides amazing thermal comfort, and exceptional resilience. Massachusetts Dept of
Energy Resources studies show that multi-family buildings built to Passive House standards have
such excellent thermal resilience that they can go a week without electric power on the coldest
week of the year, with indoor temperatures dropping only 6 or 7° F. No backup power
6
needed. The selected developer has built several affordable housing Passive House buildings and
has now made it their design standard.
That excellent thermal performance also lowers the cost of HVAC equipment, as the heating loads
for a Passive House building are roughly an order of magnitude lower than a standard building
code building. Because those heating and cooling loads are so low, a central heating and cooling
system for all of the units will be entirely powered by solar panels on the roof. That means the
residents will have zero cost for heating or cooling their homes.
And because that power is provided entirely by the sun, it will be insulated from the dramatic
energy price spikes we've seen over the last few years. This is especially important because low-
income households in the Boston area have the highest median energy burden in the country,
spending 14% of their income on energy.
Building affordable housing to Passive House standards is among the best ways the Town can
address both the housing cost burden and the energy cost burden of its low-income residents.
Perhaps most importantly the homes built on Lowell & North Street will be incredibly healthy,
comfortable, and resilient homes for the residents.
All affordable housing initiatives require significant sources of funding. The Community
Preservation Committee currently provides the majority of affordable housing funds to LexHAB
and is the only significant source of funding for the Affordable Housing Trust. The anticipated
requests from the Lexington Housing Authority, LexHAB, and the Affordable Housing Trust for
community housing initiatives are likely to exceed the amount of available Community
Preservation Act funds in the coming years.
Lexington 2021 Annual Town Meeting approved Article 36 to submit a home rule petition
requesting legislative authority to establish a surcharge on specific commercial development
activities for the purpose of funding affordable housing. The legislature recently approved that
home rule petition by passing H.2740 “An Act to establish a surcharge on specific commercial
development activities for the purpose of funding the creation of community housing.” The
Governor signed the bill on January 8, 2025.
The Select Board is now required to set a linkage fee rate within a year. The Select Board
authorized Town staff to commission a study funded under Article 36, to assess commercial
development and housing inventory trends before recommending an appropriate range of
linkage fee rates. Given that commercial development trends have slowed considerably since
2021, expectations for this source of funds are fairly modest. Any funds generated from the
linkage fee would be transferred to the Affordable Housing Trust.
Another potential source of funding was not approved by the legislature. Lexington 2020 Special
Town Meeting approved Article 6 to submit a home rule petition requesting legislative authority
to establish a surcharge on residential development for the purpose of funding affordable
housing. Unfortunately, the legislature took no action on that home rule petition during this or
the previous legislative session. For that reason, that Article 6 home rule petition failed and can
only be reconsidered by the legislature after another vote of Lexington Town Meeting.
7
Economic Development and Community Vitality Initiatives
In 2024-25 the Select Board continued to support initiatives which stimulate economic
development and commercial expansion within the town, including revitalizing the downtown.
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 Small Business
Roundtable discussions organized by the Economic Development Department.
These are some highlights from the eEconomic Ddevelopment Department’s efforts in 2024-25.
Lex 250 and Tourism: The Visitor’s Center has seen 60,000 visitors come through our doors
since July 2024, compared to 51,000 travelers in the year prior. The increase in foot traffic
stems from Lex250th promotion, advertising and marketing efforts with National
Geographic, BBC, WCVB, and NYT which have reached at least 15 million people around
the world to promote the 250th Celebrations in Lexington. Furthermore, Tour
Lexington.us, Lexington’s main tourism website, which was launched in January 2024,
has hit over 100,000 users and over 300,000 page views. These efforts have led to
increases in foot traffic, merchandise revenue and a 56% increase in revenue through
online tour booking channels. The Lexington Visitors Center has received new
merchandise to accommodate the influx of tourists who will come for Patriots’ Day
Weekend.
Local Economic Policy Enhancements: 2024 ATM passed Aarticle 39 Home Rule Petition to
Adjust the Number of On-Premise Wine and Malt Alcohol Licenses. State Representative
Michelle Ciccolo brought filedorward House Bill HD.43843893 requesting our home rule
petition which was referred to the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and
Professional Licensure on 3/13/2025.was filed with the House clerk on 2/25/2025 and is
awaiting the next steps in the State process. At their June 24, 2024 meeting the Select
Board voted for a revised Alcohol Beverage License Regulations updated to include the
new zoning. This 2024 policy expands the scope to include event spaces and craft
beverage establishments, not just restaurants, for eligibility for a License to serve
aAlcoholic bBeverages. This includes locations such as Pinot’s Palette, The Venue, and
Galaray House, and Craft Foods who could apply for a liquor license to serve liquor as
part of their operations.
Wayfinding Signs: In East Lexington, wWayfinding sSigns have been installed at Bow
Street to direct travelers to restaurants, coffee shops, and businesses. People who may not
have known these options exist can now go enjoy a cup of coffee, buy a bagel, or find a
new place to get their haircut. In addition to East Lexington, new signage is coming to
Lexington Center. The Economic Development DepartmentOffice is bringing a large
kiosk at the Grain Mill Alley Bike Node next to the sSolar bench to direct visitors and
travelers to Lexington’s historic amenities, businesses, and restaurants. Similar to East
Lexington, these signs will appear along the Minuteman Bikeway. In addition to this
initiative, work is being done in Lexington Center and in East Lexington to connect the
Minuteman Bikeway to our business community. In East Lexington, Wayfinding Signs
Art Installations and Vibrancy efforts: Later this year, travelers on the bikeway may see new
art installations at 55 Massachusetts Avenue, 131 Massachusetts Avenue, and the sShops
8
at 135-145 Massachusetts Avenue. This work was funded through the American Rescue
Plan Act and is part of the Rapid Recovery Plan that began during the COVID-19
pandemic. Finally, the ED Office conomic Development Department is working with
landscape aArchitects and the Department of Public Works to landscape that area to
open up the space and install new benches. In addition to these signs, the Economic
Development Department ED Office is also working on bringing murals to businesses
along the bikeway.
Additionally, there is a collaborative effort from Lexington Economic Development, the
Lexington Center Committee, and the Lexington History Museum to bring art to
Lexington Depot.
Commercial Development: Lexington welcomed more than six small businesses including
new cafes in the Center and three large life sciences businesses in 2024. These cafés have
transformed Lexington Center into a breakfast destination for all. Major vacancies have
been filled including the former Starbucks which is now Revival Café, and the Bertucci’s
Pizza location which is now Tatte. Additionally, long-term vacancies in the cCenter and
across Ttown have seen increased interest. More cafes and restaurants are slated to open
their doors this summer and fall in Lexington Center. Lexington and Cambridge current
lab market vacancy rates are both close to 19%, while Burlington and Waltham have
higher vacancy rates of 29% and 22%, respectively. The current vacancy-rate for the lab
market in Lexington is close to 19% which is like Cambridge’s 18.8% vacancy. Burlington
with 29.4% and Waltham with 22.3% are at a higher vacancy rate.
Center Revitalization: On December 16, 2024 the Economic Development Advisory
Committee and Lexington Center Committee presented to the Select Board, a set of
recommendations based on Lexington Center: The Journey Forward. The recommendations
were the following:
1) Focus on ways to create more welcoming and inviting entryways from key access
points (parking lots, bike path, Visitors Center)
2) Convene a forum of relevant municipal bodies and committees to ensure alignment
around application of new bylaws
3) Evaluating options for supporting Lexington Center programming.
4) Prioritize decision(s) regarding use of town-owned land in Lexington Center.
The Select Board has made Center Revitalization a major goal to work on over the next two years.
2025: The 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington
Preparations for Lexington’s landmark 250th Anniversary of the Battle have been extensive and
community-oriented, reflecting both historical reverence and inclusive celebration. Throughout the past
year, the Select Board has actively engaged in a range of discussions, projects, and events designed to
honor this momentous occasion thoughtfully and collaboratively.
Monument Project: Extensive deliberation occurred regarding the proposed 250th Anniversary
Monument at Belfry Hill Park. Community discussions provided valuable insights and raised
critical considerations about the monument's scale, symbolic design, ongoing maintenance, and
site suitability. Despite thorough evaluation and dialogue, the Historic Districts Commission
(HDC) ultimately denied the Certificate of Appropriateness, effectively concluding the project.
9
Inter Municipal Collaboration: Lexington continued strengthening historical and celebratory ties
with neighboring communities through an Inter Municipal Agreement (IMA) with Arlington,
Concord, and Lincoln, collectively allocating $200,000 towards collaborative planning and event
execution for the 250th celebration.
US Army Participation and Special Events: The Select Board received and considered a special
request from the US Army Military District of Washington DC, involving several prestigious
Army units, notably the Golden Knights Parachute Team, for participation in commemorative
activities on April 19, 2025. Recognizing the exceptional historical significance of the anniversary,
the Board granted a unique, one-time exemption to the Select Board’s Battle Green Regulation,
which typically prohibits parachuting onto the Battle Green. Careful consideration was given to
balancing the historical gravity and ceremonial appropriateness of these events against
established town regulations and historical site protections.
Invitation to Dignitaries: The Select Board voted to approve the Semiquincentennial Commission
(Lex250)’s recommendation to extend invitations to local, state, federal and international
dignitaries to attend the 250th Anniversary celebrations. Board discussions surrounding this vote
were comprehensive, underscoring an important consideration: ensuring the dignitary presence
does not overshadow the celebration’s primary focus—the Lexington community and its
heritage. The Board emphasized thoughtful selection to maintain the event’s community-centric
spirit.
International Engagement – Antony, France: Recognizing Lexington’s global historical connections,
the Select Board strongly supported inviting our longstanding sister city, Antony, France, to
participate in the anniversary celebrations. This international collaboration underscores our
town’s historical significance, celebrating longstanding international relationships and fostering
meaningful cultural exchange.
As we approach the commemorative date, we acknowledge with gratitude the numerous volunteers,
community groups, historical organizations, town staff, and regional partners working diligently toward
a meaningful and memorable celebration. The Select Board remains committed to ensuring the 250th
Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington is commemorated in a manner that honors our history, celebrates
our vibrant community, and fosters connections both local and global.