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Home My WebLink About2025-06-30 SB Packet - ReleasedJOINT SELECT BOARD AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, June 30, 2025 Select Board Meeting Room, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420 - Hybrid Participation* 6:30 PM AGENDA ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION 1.Lexington High School Project Vote Timeline and Article 97 Update ADJOURN 1.Anticipated Adjournment 7:30pm 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 Monday, July 7, 2025 at 6:30pm via hybrid person 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 JOINT SELECT BOARD AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Lexington High School Project Vote Timeline and Article 97 Update PRESENTER: Board Discussion ITEM NUMBER: I.1 SUMMARY: Category: Discussion & Decision-making The Board will receive an update from members of the Project Team regarding Article 97 and the overall project timeline, including anticipated Special Town Meeting and Referendum dates. SUGGESTED MOTION: FOLLOW-UP: DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA: 6/30/2025 ATTACHMENTS: Description Type Article 97 Presentation and Project Timeline Backup Material Article 97 Article 97 of the Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, approved by the voters in 1972, established a right to a clean environment including its natural, scenic, historical, and aesthetic qualities for the citizens of the Commonwealth. To authorize the change in use of Article 97 land, the Town must secure a two-thirds vote of Lexington Town Meeting, a two-thirds roll call vote of both houses of the Legislature, and a determination and finding from the Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) following submission of required documents to their office. Locus Map Existing Protected Area of Land Use Proposed Protected Area of Land Use Existing Protected Land Use Proposed Protected Land Use Existing Area Before Transfer Proposed Area After Transfer Proposed Land Delineations After Transfer This map identifies the limits of land that protected under Article 97 before and after land swap. Area with no color overlay is existing land for school use not protected under Article 97 that has not changed. Area with blue color overlay is existing land protected under Article 97 that has not changed. Area with orange color overlay is existing land that will be changed to “not protected under Article 97”. Area with yellow color overlay is existing land that will be changed to “protected under Article 97”. What is the Article 97 Process? An Act Preserving Open Space in the Commonwealth, known as the Public Lands Preservation Act (PLPA), codified in November 2022, establishes process for Legislature to authorize change in protected land. PLPA process: 1. Notify public and EOEEA and conduct alternatives analysis demonstrating all other options to avoid or minimize Article 97 disposition have been explored and no other alternatives exist or are feasible 2. Submit alternatives analysis to EOEEA via PLPA portal and make analysis public 3. Identify replacement land that is of equal or greater in value as determined by an appraisal 4. Dedicate the replacement land in perpetuity Article 97 & Project Timeline January 02, 2024 Initial project introduction call with Massachusetts Environmental Policy Office (MEPA) March 15, 2024 Initial project introduction call with Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) May 15, 2024 Follow up call with EOEEA for project update and PLPA portal process discussion July 30, 2025 (to be confirmed) Community Meeting for Environmental Justice (EJ) Discussion August 13, 2025 Community Meeting to Discuss Project Budget Article 97 & Project Timeline August2025 Lexington to submit application to Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) through PLPA portal Submission includes: •an explanation of why the proposed change in use is necessary; •an alternatives analysis; •maps and descriptions of the impacted land; •maps and descriptions of the proposed replacement land; •a description of the current Article 97 uses and natural resource value; •an appraisal report; •approvals by public agencies; and •submission of the draft authorizing legislation. August 18, 2025 SBC must vote to submit Schematic Design submission (includes design, schedule and budget) to MSBA (for October MSBA meeting) August 28, 2025 Schematic Design Submission to MBSA Article 97 & Project Timeline September 8, 2025 Team will present Schematic Design to Select Board per Integrated Building Design and Construction Policy September 2025 TBD Community Meeting Mid-September Select Board votes to call for referendum and Special Town Meeting (per law, referendum must be called by LSB at least 35 days out) October 29, 2025 MSBA Board meeting to accept Schematic Design Submission and approval of the Project Scope and Budget October 2025 TBD Community Meeting Article 97 & Project Timeline November 3-4, 2025 Lexington Special Town Meeting – 2/3 vote required for both Exclusion & Article 97 November 17, 2025 Debt Exclusion Referendum Fall/Winter 2025/2026 Anticipated timing of EOEEA issues decision on proposed change in use Fall/Winter 2025/2026 Lexington will file a bill with the Legislature following Special Town Meeting approval and EOEEA determination. Winter/Spring 2026 Anticipated timing of Legislative action on proposed bill July 2026 Break ground See the Project Website for additional FAQ’s related to this topic: LHS Website