Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-14 SB-min SELECT BOARD MEETING Monday, April 14, 2025 A meeting of the Lexington Select Board was called to order at 6:00p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2025, via a hybrid meeting platform. Mr. Lucente, Chair; Mr. Pato, Ms. Hai, Mr. Sandeen, and Ms. Kumar, were present, as well as Mr. Bartha, Town Manager; Ms. Axtell, Deputy Town Manager; and Ms. Katzenback, Executive Clerk. PUBLIC COMMENTS None at this time. SELECT BOARD MEMBER CONCERNS AND LIAISON REPORTS 1. Select Board Member Announcements and Liaison Reports No additional comments at this time. TOWN MANAGER REPORT 1. Town Manager Weekly Update No additional comments at this time. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approve: Common Victualler License  Mike & Patty's Breakfast & Sandwiches - 317 Woburn Street To approve a Common Victualler License for Mike & Patty’s Breakfast & Sandwiches, located at 317 Woburn Street, with on-site manager Vincenzo Pileggi, for the hours and days of operation as indicated. 2. Approve: Town Manager Reappointment  Thomas Romano - Youth Commission To confirm the Town Manager's reappointment of Thomas Romano to the Youth Commission with a term set to expire April 30, 2028. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda. ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION 1. Approve: Compost Site Rates for 2025 Dave Pinsonneault, Director of Public Works, explained that modest increases to keep the operation competitive and to cover the cost of the operation are proposed. There was no public comment at this time VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 5-0 to approve the proposed compost site rates as presented. DOCUMENTS: Compost Rate Presentation 2. Discussion: Tree Removal on Cedar Street, Per MGL 87D Mr. Lucente explained that this item was on the agenda in the event the Board may be asked to consider a vote (pursuant to MGL 87D) to approve the removal of one tree related to the Cedar Street sidewalk th project. A presentation was made to the Tree Committee on April 10 that resolved the issue. On April th 14, Nancy Sofen, Tree Committee Chair, submitted an opinion of the Tree Committee. This memo confirms that there is no action needed to be taken by the Select Board at this meeting. The Committee submitted formal feedback earlier today, confirming that they fully support the revised sidewalk design, which preserves a large oak tree at 48 Cedar Street. They also express no objection to the removal of the other trees as discussed during a public hearing. DOCUMENTS: Feedback from Tree Committee 3. Update: Final Design of Cedar Street Sidewalk Ross Morrow, Assistant Town Engineer, explained that during a survey of this area, it was determined that a significant portion of the right of way between Hill Street and Mass Ave was initially drafted incorrectly, and the Town property line was at the edge of the Cedar Street roadway. This meant that the proposed sidewalk was completely on private property. Staff then reengaged the design consultant and it was determined that the sidewalk should be moved to the even house number side of the street. The project has been bid at this time and a contract will be signed shortly. The project cost is approximately $1M at this time. Staff has spoken with neighbors regarding concerns about this project and worked to alleviate as many concerns as possible in the design. 4. Update: East Lexington Mural Projects Jay Abdella, Senior Coordinator Economic Development, explained that the project the project focuses on three locations in East Lexington: 55 Mass Ave, 131 Mass Ave, and 135-145 Mass Ave. Each of these locations will receive a mural on their exterior façades which aims to bolster connectivity between the Minuteman Bikeway and the businesses. Wayfinding signage and landscaping projects are also being pursued in these areas. After a call for artists, Staff reviewed each application and advanced three semifinalists who each were awarded a $1,000 stipend to produce a proposal. in addition to these murals, the artists are working on other programming vectors, including incorporating augmented reality into the murals to allow people to explore the history on their phones, along with providing historic videos in collaboration with the Lexington Historical Society. The installation of these murals is funded using ARPA appropriations. A noise consultant was hired to study the impacts of this work. The cost for this item was $3,000 which will be funded through the Economic Development Professional Services line item. There will be a free community paint party on Saturday May 3rd, at the Visitor Center lawn from 11am to 1pm. Staff will return to the Board in the future for a Special Noise Permit for Mural 1, at 135-145 Mass Ave. This permit is needed as the artist will require a boom lift to reach to the top areas of the wall. The work will need to be completed in the evening hours and noise mitigation efforts are being explored. Ms. Kumar asked about maintenance of the murals. It was noted that the material is very durable, with minimum maintenance. It is assumed that the murals could last anywhere from 5-10+ years. DOCUMENTS: Update on East Lexington Mural Project, East Lexington Mural Project - Acoustics Report 6. 2025 Annual Town Meeting - Select Board Article Discussion and Positions – The Board took up this item at this time. The Select Board discussed the potential of Article 30 being reconsidered at the end of 2025 Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Sandeen noted that the Affordable Housing Trust took a position, 5-0, in favor of the amendment, and the Planning Board also took a position in support of the amendment, 4-1. They took the following positions on Reconsideration of Article 30 – Mr. Pato and Ms. Hai are a ‘no’; Mr. Sandeen is a ‘yes’; and Ms. Kumar and Mr. Lucente are a ‘wait.’ If the reconsideration for Article 30 should prevail, the Board took the following positions on the new motion: Mr. Pato, Ms. Hai, Ms. Kumar, and Mr. Sandeen are a ‘yes’ and Mr. Lucente is a ‘wait.’ DOCUMENTS: Select Board Working Document - Positions 2025 ATM 7. Update: Patriots' Day Weekend – The Board took up this item at this time. Mr. Lucente explained that there are approximately 19 events between now and Monday for the Patriots’ Day Weekend celebration. A brief description of the events was discussed. The Board reviewed a proclamation to be read for the delegates from Antony, France. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 5-0 to approve Antony Park Rededication Proclamation, as amended. DOCUMENTS: Antony Park Rededication Proclamation 5. Hearing: Noise Bylaw Permit - Patriots' Day Prep Mr. Lucente opened the hearing at 7:02pm. Mr. Lucente explained that this is a regular request from the DPW to be approved for Noise Bylaw Special Permit to allow the department to perform maintenance tasks associated with the Annual Patriot's Day Celebration for one week in April. The DPW is seeking a Special Permit. In the past the Board has approved a three-year permit. In 2025, the DPW plans to begin on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, through Friday April 18, 2025, earlier than the normal start time of 7AM to perform maintenance tasks along Bedford Street and Massachusetts Avenue in preparation for the Town's Patriot's Day Celebration. Per the Noise Bylaw the DPW is requesting for next three years the week prior to Patriot's Day in April 2025, 2026, and 2027, for work to be conducted starting at 5AM on these streets and adjacent areas. Mr. Lucente closed the hearing at 7:12pm. In response to a question from Mr. Sandeen, Mr. Pinsonneault stated that, per the bylaw, Staff will use electric backpack blowers and street sweepers as needed. Dawn McKenna, 9 Hancock Street, asked that this request only be considered for one year at a time. The DPW is a great Department to work with and cares what the neighbors think. She requested that the request be allowed for this year and then considered additionally in future years. Mr. Lucente explained that the three-year request was due to the cost to notify everyone impacted. Nancy Rosenfield, 50 Waltham Street, stated that she is worried about being impacted by noise early in the morning at her condo on Mass Ave. She asked about any recourse available. Mr. Pinsonneault explained that the areas will not be impacted each day but maintained once and then moved on from. The 5AM time is being requested for the time before Patriots Day in order to minimize conflicts with others and ensure safety of the crews. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 5-0 to approve a noise bylaw special permit for the Department of Public Works for the week leading up to Patriots Day in April to begin the work earlier than normal, with the start time of 5:00am, in order to perform maintenance tasks associated with the annual Patriots Day celebration in April 2025, April 2026 and April 2027, and for the Select Board to review, at a meeting prior to April 2026, the effectiveness as well any impacts of the 2025 early work start time. DOCUMENTS: DPW request for Noise Bylaw Special Permit, Public Comment 1, Public Comment 2 ADJOURN VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 5-0 to adjourn at 7:16pm. A true record; Attest: Kristan Patenaude Recording Secretary