HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-18-SLC-minSustainable Lexington Committee
Minutes of Meeting of March 18, 2025
A meeting of the Sustainable Lexington Committee (SLC) was held by Zoom conference. A
quorum of at least eight was present throughout.
Members Present: Cindy Arens (chair), Celis Brisbin, Paul Chernick, Andy Joynt, Lin
Jensen, Rick Reibstein, Todd Rhodes (vice chair), Kavitha Venkatesan
Members Absent: Dan Voss
Staff Present: Maggie Peard
Other Attendees: Avram Baskin, Marci Cemenska, Mark Sandeen, Todd Burger, Ricki
Pappo, Alex Tsouvalas
The meeting was called to order at 6:04 pm.
Approval of past meeting minutes. The minutes of January 28, 2025 were approved as written.
Comments from residents; emails to committee mailbox; new business.
There were no new emails to the Sustainable Lexington Committee email mailbox.
Cindy recommended that the Committee reserve a spot to set up a tent at Discovery Day.
Cindy reminded the Committee that the Sustainability Fair was this coming Saturday (March 22)
at the High School. Cindy and Andy asked for volunteers to support the fair.
Town Meeting Articles
Article 28: Accurate Reporting on the Negative Aspects of Lithium Ion Batteries
Avram Baskin provided an overview of the article focusing on the concern that
communications from the Town describe lithium-ion batteries as “green, clean, and healthy”
and not addressing the Environmental Justice concerns associated with the mining of battery
materials.
Andy asked what would you expect to change in the town if the article passes? And what
about other technologies, like steel, that also have negative impacts?
Avram commented that we’ve already made our choice to invest in lithium-ion batteries, so
we need to own that decision. If the article passes, the Select Board will be requested to setup
a group to address this issue.
Cindy commented that the SLC would likely be the group to address this issue if the article
passes.
Ricki Pappo commented that we should encourage recycling of lithium-ion batteries.
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Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of March 18, 2025
Todd Burger commented that automakers are moving to LFP technologies and away from
lithium-cobalt technologies.
Lin commented that all materials have an environmental impact. The focus should be on
reducing use first and then using materials that have lower impacts.
Kavitha presented her position statement to the committee. Rick complimented Kavitha on
the statement. Lin recommended wording be added to link it to the Zero Waste Plan.
Todd commented that this thinking aligns with the goals of the draft Sustainable Purchasing
Policy. Maggie added that that policy is still in draft form and hasn’t been updated in a few
years.
Paul recommended making sections more generic – avoiding references to specific products
or battery technologies.
Celis commented that support of the article might send the wrong message and complicates
our process. His concern is that these decisions are complex and it’s hard to make the
judgement call.
Rick is concerned that the article will force us to change how we look at these types of
issues.
Avram emphasized that this is a non-binding referendum and is not intended to change any
processes. He primarily is focused on not using words like “green, clean, and healthy”. He
wants to be sure that we’re not overlooking marginalized communities that are affected by
our choices.
Alex Tsouvalas said that he plans to vote against this article at Town Meeting because it
could be seen as Lexington making a public statement against the use of lithium-ion
batteries.
Paul suggested offering an amendment at to the article at Town Meeting with alternative
language.
Susan Barrett recommended the we emphasize reduction in use.
There were additional discussions related to these points and the proposed article.
The committee voted unanimously to empower Cindy to update the draft statement regarding
Article 28 Lithium Ion Batteries (with support from committee members: Kavitha, Rick, and
up to one other) to communicate that the committee is not in support of the article but
supports the importance of addressing Environmental Justice issues when discussing material
choices and purchasing decisions. The committee believes that consideration of these issues
is best managed through existing processes.
Article 24: Prohibit or Restrict the Application of Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides
Cindy provided an introduction to the article. It would lead to a home rule petition to give the
Select Board the authority to petition the legislature.
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Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of March 18, 2025
Marci Cemenska identified that SGARs bioaccumulate resulting in many negative effects.
Other communities have already taken steps to eliminate these poisons.
Andy asked about the impact of elimination of poisons on the rat population. Marci
commented that as long as food is accessible, there will be pests. Efforts like food waste
reduction and separation can help.
The committee voted unanimously to support the article.
Article 7: Sustainable Projects (Solar Feasibility Studies)
Maggie described the article, which is a request for $24,000 to hire a firm to support the
assessment of the solar potential of parking lots and similar sites.
The committee voted unanimously to support the article.
Other Agenda Topics
EV Depot – Background on the need for a depot and potential locations:
Todd walked the committee thought the presentation and answered questions from committee
members.
Susan Barrett provided background on the results of a study performed several years ago to
assess transportation needs of the town. A recommendation was to make more use of multi-
use vehicles.
The committee discussed the role of transportation in Lexington, in general, and the need for
EVs and an EV depot. The general sense of the discussion was that the town should work to
reduce vehicle-miles traveled and efficient use of vehicles that could provide multiple uses
makes sense. No clear position was taken on the need for one or more EV depots. More
discussion is needed.
Campaign to Support MA Legislation to Stop Predatory Electric Suppliers:
Cindy made a motion to support the campaign. The committee unanimously supported the
idea. Cindy will add SLC’s name to the list of supporters.
Sustainability and Resilience Officer Updates
Waste Reduction Task Force (WRTF):
Maggie reported that there was good support from the Select Board members for the WRTF’s
approach and outreach. The task force is moving forward with their plans
The task force anticipates that a bylaw to amend the Town bylaw with the language the waste
pickup shall be free will come up at ATM 2026 to allow consideration of PAYT, etc. If the
bylaw passes, the Town would be able to set up a revolving fund or similar to support waste
management.
Lexington currently allows 6 bins for pickup – far more than other towns. The majority of
Lexington puts out 1 – some get up to 3.
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Sustainable Lexington Committee Minutes of March 18, 2025
Lin commented that some residents do not participate in Black Earth composting because
they compost in their backyards.
Other Updates
High School Project:
The team is still waiting for SMMA to provide a lot of information, including: LCCA (Life
Cycle Cost Assessment), HVAC choices, embodied carbon, etc.
Mark commented SMMA is not looking at the design in an integrated way. They are still
looking at LCCA for individual components rather than the integrated whole.
Mark said that there are opportunities for $18M in savings if we design the power system to
keep what Eversource sees to below 2.5 MW.
Lin commented that we need to achieve net-positive solar system.
Mark commented that SMMA is not considering the Field House energy demand adequately.
Celis agreed that we need to be as net-positive as possible.
Cindy emphasized that we need to communicate with SBC members to encourage net-
positive and integrative approach.
Lincoln Turf Working Group:
Cindy discussed the letter that is going to Town Meeting about progress on the working
group. Cindy added that we need to place more emphasis on micro plastics.
The Recreation Department has been holding public meetings about new fields at Harrington.
Cindy commented that at one meeting the Town’s consultant said that if dirt is brought in for
a grass field it will have PFAS – suggesting that a natural grass field would not be a
significant improvement over artificial turf with regard to PFAS.
Rick expressed his concern that the Town’s consultants are not providing the town with
accurate information. Rick added that Total Organic Florine (TOF) testing should be included
in the project bid as a supplemental request.Todd replied that it is, and Rick replied that that
is only because members of the Working Group pushed for it.
Police Station:
Todd commented that at last week’s PBC meeting, Town staff stated that bids were coming in
for the construction of the canopies, but not all of the bids had been received.
Cindy recommended that the next meeting be held on April 22.
The meeting adjourned at 9:31.
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