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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-28 SB-min SELECT BOARD MEETING Monday, April 28, 2025 A meeting of the Lexington Select Board was called to order at 6:30p.m. on Monday, April 28, 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. EXECUTIVE SESSION 1. Exemption 3: Collective Bargaining - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining (LMEA, LMMA, Fire, Crossing Guard, Police Superior) VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 at 6:31pm that the Select Board go into Executive Session under Exemption 3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining for the Lexington Municipal Employees Association(LMEA), Lexington Municipal Management Association(LMMA), Fire Department, Crossing Guard and the Police Superior Unions, and to reconvene in Open Session. Further, as Chair, it was declared that an open meeting discussion may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining and litigating position of the Town. The Board returned to open session at 6:59p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS None at this time. SELECT BOARD MEMBER CONCERNS AND LIAISON REPORTS 1. Select Board Member Announcements and Liaison Reports Mr. Sandeen stated that he attended a public community forum being run by the Lowell and North Street developers. The intention of the forum is to present what has been done to address the comments raised during the first meeting, and also to present the results of the traffic study that was conducted. In addition, he said the Permanent Building Committee will be meeting on Thursday May 1, 2025 to discuss the Lexington High School Project. They are currently engaged in a value engineering process, which attempts to look at the design of the High School and see if there are any potential savings. Mr. Pato stated that the School Master Planning Committee is reviewing general trends for the school district over the next few generations. Current enrollment trends combined with known housing development plans appear to be within the current district capacity. The group is working to identify triggers for what might lead the Town to need to make capital investment changes. The school building project for the High School is progressing. From a design perspective, it should wind down by June, at which point designs will be sent out for updated price estimations. There will be several more community sessions between now and then and there will continue to be regular design meetings occurring every week. Mr. Pato also noted that while costs and tax implications remain topmost on everyone’s mind, community engagement is also focused on issues like traffic patterns, impact on neighbors, construction impact on students and recreation, etc. He recommends that Board members attend some abutters’ meetings to hear some of the traffic safety concerns that are present today not just as a result of the construction project. th Mr. Lucente thanked all of the Staff and volunteers involved in the 250 events. Ms. Hai stated that the delegates from Lexington’s Sister City Antony France appreciated all of the th community and individual hospitality during the 250 event. During their visit to Lexington, they presented a gift to Lexington, a bust of the Marquis de Lafayette which was made by Trudon. The Trudon company was the first and only Royal wax manufacturer, and was based in Antony. Ms. Hai announced that today is National Workers Memorial Day. She shared a list of names of those who died serving the community and there was a moment of silence in their remembrance. Ms. Kumar congratulated the Lex 250th team for a remarkable weeklong celebration. TOWN MANAGER REPORT 1. Town Manager Weekly Update th Mr. Bartha expressed his thanks and appreciation to those involved in the 250 celebrations. He noted that the Town’s Health Director, Joanne Belanger, will be retiring in June. She has been a huge asset to the Town and will be missed. Alicia McCartin, the Assistant Health Director will be serving in the acting role until a new Health Director position is hired. PUBLIC COMMENTS Patrick Mehr, 31 Woodcliffe Road, stated that the Board previously heard a presentation from Fourgere Planning & Development on their report. He said he feels this report is wrong in its conclusion. On page 25 of the report, Table 16, the variable cost to educate a non-SPED student was estimated at $12,093. This is far too low a number, especially when compared with the $26,000 the Appropriations Committee used in their report, prepared for Article Two of Special Town Meeting. He stated that he hopes Fougere will be able to issue a correction, in order to know what the actual numbers. Also, the $12,093 variable cost per student was developed using school staff, and it appears they may not have the expertise needed to come up with these numbers. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approve: 2025 Limousine License Renewals To approve the 2025 Annual Limousine License renewals for the following businesses:  Boyadjian Limousine Service: 447 Lowell Street - 2 vehicles  D&O Limo: 3402 Main Campus Drive - 1 vehicle 2. Approve: New Limousine License Application  Backbay Sedan Services: 37 Woburn Street - 1 vehicle To approve the application and issue one (1) Limousine License to Backbay Sedan Services, operated by Fusco Enterprises, LLC. DOCUMENTS: Backbay Sedan Services - Limo Application 3. Approve: One-Day Liquor License - Tapped Beer Trucks, 60 Westview Street  Corporate events for employees at Crosby Property Offices at 60 Westview Street on the following dates: o Thursday, May 8, 2025 o Thursday, July 24, 2025 o Thursday, September 4, 2025 To approve three One-Day Liquor Licenses for Tapped Beer Trucks to serve beer and wine at 60 Westview Street on May 8, 2025, July 24, 2025 and September 4, 2025, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. 4. Approve: One-Day Liquor License - Craft Food Halls - 0 Depot Square  Discovery Day Beer Garden - Saturday, May 24, 2025 To approve a One-Day Liquor License for Craft Food Halls – Revolution Hall to serve beer and wine at Emery Park, 0 Depot Square, on May 24, 2025, from 10:00am to 3:00pm, in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. DOCUMENTS: Beer Garden Map 5. Approve: One-Day Liquor Licenses - Monroe Center for the Arts – 1403 Massachusetts Ave  Seasonal Suites, Tap and Jazz - Wednesday, May 7, 2025  Creative Connections, Social Event - Friday, May 9, 2025 To approve two One-Day Liquor Licenses for the Munroe Center for the Arts to serve beer and wine at 1403 Massachusetts Avenue for the Seasonal Suites, Tap and Jazz Event on May 7, 2025, and for the Creative Connections, Social Event on May 9, 2025. DOCUMENTS: Monroe Center Event Map 6. Approve: Entertainment License - Cystic Fibrosis Foundation  28th Annual Cystic Fibrosis Cycle for Life: Revolution Hall - Saturday, October 4, 2025 To approve an Entertainment License for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for the 28th Annual Cystic Fibrosis Cycle for Life, to allow for a disc jockey at Revolution Hall, 3 Maguire Road, on October 4, 2025, from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, contingent upon compliance with all Town regulations. DOCUMENTS: Cycle for Life Event Layout 7. Approve: Entertainment License - Bhakti Center  Festival of Colors - Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Hastings Park To approve an Entertainment License for the Bhakti Center to host the Festival of Colors on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with live performances and recorded music at Hastings Park. DOCUMENTS: Festival of Colors Site Plan 8. Accept: Select Board Committee Resignation  Transportation Advisory Committee - Daniel Asta To accept the resignation of Daniel Asta from the Transportation Advisory Committee effective immediately. 9. Approve and Sign: Proclamation  Park and Recreation Month - July To approve and sign a proclamation recognizing the month of July as Park and Recreation Month. DOCUMENTS: 04282025 Park and Recreation Month Proclamation 10. Approve: Select Board Minutes To approve and release the following minutes:  March 10, 2025 Select Board  March 17, 2025 Select Board  March 24, 2025 Select Board  March 26, 2025 Select Board  April 2, 2025 Select Board  April 7, 2025 Select Board DOCUMENTS: DRAFT 03102025 Select Board Minutes; DRAFT 03172025 Select Board Minutes; DRAFT 03242025 Select Board Minutes; DRAFT 03262025 Select Board Minutes; DRAFT 04022025 Select Board Minutes; DRAFT 04072025 Select Board Minutes 11. Approve: Request for Water and Sewer Deferral To approve deferral of the FY2025 water and sewer payments for 27 Lawrence Lane. DOCUMENTS: Water and Sewer Deferral Application 12. Approve: Select Board Appointment of Town Counsel  Anderson & Kreiger LLP To appoint Anderson & Kreiger LLP as Town of Lexington’s Counsel, with Mina S. Makarious serving as Town Counsel, for a one-year term to expire March 31, 2026. 13. Approve: Select Board Committee Reappointment  Affordable Housing Trust: Tiffany Payne, Linda Prosnitz, and William M. Erickson To reappoint Tiffany Payne, Linda Prosnitz, and William M. Erickson to the Affordable Housing Trust for two-year terms set to expire on April 30, 2027. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda. ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION 1. Hearing: Liquor License Amendment Application - Akame Nigeri and Sake Change of Officers and Ownership Interest Mr. Lucente opened the hearing at 7:22pm. Mr. Lucente stated that M Block LLC d/b/a Akame Nigiri and Sake, located at 1707 Massachusetts Avenue, #2, has submitted all the necessary paperwork needed to request a Change of Officers and a Change of Ownership Interest on their Wine and Malt Common Victualler Liquor License. Christopher Bonasoro sold his interest in M Block LLC and is no longer an owner, he had a 35% ownership interest. Michael Monaco, current owner and manager on record of the liquor license, purchased Mr. Bonasoro’s ownership percentage. Mr. Monaco now holds 100% ownership interest in M Block LLC. M Block LLC’s business structure documents have been updated with the State reflecting this change of officers and ownership interest. There was no public comment at this time. Mr. Lucente closed the hearing at 7:23pm. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve M Block LLC’s application for a Change of Officers and a Change of Ownership Interest on their Wine and Malt Common Victualler Liquor License at 1707 Massachusetts Avenue #2. DOCUMENTS: Amendment Application 2. Review and Approve: Updated Liquor License Transfer Application - Neillio's Wine and Spirits 55 Bedford Street Mr. Lucente explained that, on December 11, 2024, the Select Board approved the transfer of the Package Store Liquor License located at 55 Bedford Street to 55 Bedford St LLC d/b/a Neillio’s Wine and Spirits. The ABCC sent a "return no action" notification to the 55 Bedford St LLC copying the Select Board Office regarding the transfer license application citing that the applicant needs to submit the following UPDATED information to the local licensing authority for their approval of the amended application pages/additional supporting documents:  Page 1, section 4 description of the premises must indicate the same sq. ft. and number of floors as indicated on the submitted lease  Page 2, section 6 correct Name of Principal Title on form to be: Manager/Member  Corrected Page 3  Page 5 – corrected figures on section 10 Financial Disclosure. Applicant Statement Page - correct the title Corporate Vote requires date of meeting of applicant In addition, the applicant must provide:  Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement,  a commitment letter from Leader Bank  Commercial Promissory Note  Pledge Agreement regarding the pledge of license and inventory This is an administrative action and no hearing is required. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve 55 Bedford St LLC d/b/a Neillio’s Wine and Spirits submission of the required updated paperwork to be sent to ABCC for ABCC's reconsideration of 55 Bedford St LLC d/b/a Neillio’s Wine and Spirits Package Store Liquor License transfer application. DOCUMENTS: Amended Application pages and supplemental documents 3. Discussion: Letter of Support for the Municipal Empowerment Act Mr. Bartha explained the draft letter was developed in response to a request from Mr. Pato that the Board offer its support to the Governor's Municipal Empowerment Act, which was filed last year, and was refiled in January 2025. There was discussion regarding making the double pole provision more explicit in the letter. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve the signing of the Letter of Support for the Municipal Empowerment Act by both the Select Board and Mr. Bartha, as edited. DOCUMENTS: MEA Letter 4. Discussion: Worthen Road School Safety Zone - This Item will be rescheduled to a future agenda 5. Approve: Level 3 Electric Vehicle Charging Rates for NStar Lot Maggie Peard, Sustainability & Resilience Officer, explained that, at the last meeting, it seemed that there was consensus on setting a flat rate of $0.45 per kilowatt hour. There would also be an underlying parking fee collected at the charging stations. Regarding the idle fee, there seemed to be consensus regarding a $1 per minute fee for any car parked for over two hours after a ten-minute grace period. There was also discussion regarding whether or not the idle fee should be conditioned on if there is another car at the second port. The consensus was not to make the fee conditional, so as to provide clarity. Staff also looks to limit the maximum charging rate to 100 kilowatts in order to avoid demand charges from Eversource. The Board noted that it could revisit this in the future depending on how this proposal works out. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 5-0 to approve a flat rate of $0.45 per kilowatt-hour for charging at Town-managed Level 3 EV charging stations with a $1.00/minute idle fee after a 10-minute grace period for cars parked at the stations for more than 2 hours. DOCUMENTS: Level 3 Charging Rate ADJOURN VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 5-0 to adjourn at 7:49pm. A true record; Attest: Kristan Patenaude Recording Secretary