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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-26 SB-min SELECT BOARD MEETING Wednesday, March 26, 2025 A meeting of the Lexington Select Board was called to order at 6:00p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, via a hybrid meeting platform. Mr. Lucente, Chair; Mr. Pato, Ms. Kumar, and Ms. Hai, were present, as well as Mr. Bartha, Town Manager; Ms. Axtell, Deputy Town Manager; and Ms. Katzenback, Executive Clerk. PUBLIC COMMENTS Steve McKenna, 9 Hancock Street, expressed concern regarding the decision to change the Patriots Day parade route for this year's 250th celebration. The change, approved by the Select Board on January 27th, will move the route from taking a right at the Minute Man statue, to a left at the statue. From a historical perspective, this could be the largest parade since the bicentennial. The current plan was made weeks before the day and shows a lack of long-term planning. The wide sidewalk at Buckman Tavern, opposite the Battle Green, provides excellent space for the largest crowd of the parade route. The new plan will place the crowd on a much narrower sidewalk, and any overflow crowd will be backed up onto the people's lawns. He asked what went into the decision making, why there was no public record of the final decision or discussion surrounding it, and what can be done to change the route back. Mr. Lucente noted that he believes this was discussed over a year ago and that he would look further into the timing of the decision. SELECT BOARD MEMBER CONCERNS AND LIAISON REPORTS 1. Select Board Member Concerns and Liaison Reports Nothing outside of the written comments within the packet. DOCUMENTS: 03262025_Select_Board_Announcements_and_Liaison_Reports TOWN MANAGER REPORT 1. Town Manager Weekly Update Nothing additional at this time. 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 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. 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 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 A venue westbound (away from the Center) closed at Bedford Street (no left turns at the Minuteman Statue). DOCUMENTS: Kick Off Diagram 3. Approve: Battle Green Use Request - Lexington Semiquincentennial Commission - Rededication of the Lexington Battle Green  Saturday, April 19, 2025 11:00am - 1:00pm 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. DOCUMENTS: LEX_250Event_Timeline 4. Approve: Entertainment License - iCan Fly, Inc - Beyond the Spectrum Market  Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 1:00 - 4:00pm 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 DOCUMENTS: Emery Square - Beyond the Spectrum Market Event Map, Beyond_the_Spectrum_Market_Event_Schedule 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 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. DOCUMENTS: 03262025 Arbor Day Proclamation, 03262025 Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month Proclamation, 03262025 National Library Week Proclamation, 03262025 National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Proclamation 6. Accept Select Board Committee Resignations  Lexington Human Rights Committee -Courtney Apgar  Noise Advisory Committee - Sallye Bleiberg To accept the resignation of Courtney Apgar from the Lexington Human Rights Committee & Sallye Bleiberg from the Noise Advisory Committee, effective immediately. DOCUMENTS: 03202025 Courtney Apgar - Lex Huma Rights, 2025.03.21 Sallye Bleiberg - Noise Advisory Committee VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 4-0 to approve the Consent Agenda. ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION 1. Accept Report for Munroe Center for the Arts Construction Project Mike Cronin, Director of Public Facilities, explained that the Munroe Center for the Arts addition project is at end of the next phase and will be moving into bidding and construction. As part of the Integrated Building Design and Construction Policy, a report needs to be submitted to the Board prior to moving into the next phase. The Select Board is being asked to vote to accept the report. Greg Burchard, Jones Architecture, presented on the building project. There was discussion regarding the runoff and drainage from the roof of the building. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 4-0 to accept the Munroe Center for the Arts addition project report, as presented. DOCUMENTS: MCA 12-16-24 SB to CD Phase-final 2. Approve Increase to Outdoor Dining Permit Fee Mr. Bartha explained that, as in years' past, the Town has increased outdoor dining fees by 2.0%. The current fee schedule is:  Up to 10 outdoor seats on public sidewalks $102 per year  Over 10 seats on public sidewalks $255 per year He stated that he is once again recommending a 2.0% increase consistent with the Town’s practice. Ms. Hai stated that the Center Committee asked about the duration of the permits. Mr. Bartha stated that this will likely be weather-dependent. Ms. Hai noted that the Center Committee is also interested in who is responsible for enforcement of any cleanup of outdoor dining areas. Mr. Lucente stated that including some of this information on the Town website would be helpful. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 4-0 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 3. Request for Approval - Inn at Hastings earlier hours on April 19, 2025 for Alcohol Service Mr. Lucente explained that the current hour on the Inn at Hasting’s liquor license to start serving alcohol at 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. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 4-0 to allow alcohol service to start at 8:00am on April 19, 2025 for the Inn at Hastings Park. DOCUMENTS: Inn at Hastings request to extend Liquor License hours on 4/19 4. 2025 Annual Town Meeting - Select Board Article Presenters, Discussion and Positions Ms. Hai and Ms. Kumar moved to ‘waits’ on Article 26. Regarding Article 28, Mr. Pato read a statement from Mr. Sandeen indicating that he has changed to a ‘no.’ Ms. Kumar and Mr. Lucente stated that they were ‘yeses’ on this item. Mr. Pato read a statement that he will be making on this item. Mr. Lucente stated that he is leaning toward being a ‘no’ on Article 23. DOCUMENTS: V 7-_2025_ATM_Positions_Chart_Worksheet 5. Select Board Report to Annual Town Meeting 2025 The Board reviewed its report to Annual Town Meeting 2025. DOCUMENTS: 03262025 Select Board Report to Annual Town Meeting 2025 FINAL, 03262025 Select Board Report to Annual Town Meeting 2025 Redline Version ADJOURN VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 4-0 to adjourn at 6:52pm. A true record; Attest: Kristan Patenaude Recording Secretary