HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-14-LCC-notes Town of Lexington
Lexington Center Committee
Notes— December 14, 2017
Members: Michael Boudett, Richard Brown, Pamela Lyons, Jerold Michelson (Chair), Pamela
Shadley
Liaisons: Joe Pato, BOS, Frank Smith, CEC, Melisa Tintocalis, EDD, Megan Zammuto, EDO
Guests:Avram Baskin
Brief discussion of vacancies—to be continued in January, 2018. Two new businesses are
coming into the center. Omar's World of Comix and Hobbies at B-Tone's old location on
Waltham Street and Abbott's Frozen Custard at Candy Castle's old location on corner of
Merriam and Mass Ave. Megan and Melisa will go before HDC to support them.
The recurring topic of the Center's sign by-laws came up. Joe noted that the BOS have created
an ad-hoc committee to study adopting the state statute on HDCs and this would include
examining the charge to make sure that HDCs jurisdiction is clearly defined. It was generally
agreed that it would be helpful to invite HDC's chair, Anne Eccles, to a meeting to hear her
thoughts.
Megan told us that she was drafting a grant application requesting $675,000 for the Visitors
Center. The Town has engaged two consultants in urban design to look at Hartwell Avenue.
Melisa sought some guidance and support for 251h anniversary of the bike path, coming in
September, 2018. Committee members seemed to feel that the Bike Committee was best
positioned to take this on this project.
Jerry discussed Andy Friedlich's notion for a citizen's article regarding bikes on sidewalks.
Pam Shadley suggested education first, including more signage and folding bike safety rules
into bike events, and including a bike insert into a tax bill. Mike urged increased enforcement.
Joe noted that we are currently nine officers down, but signage is going to be posted on the
bike path soon.
Jerry thanked everyone for their service on the Committee.
Joe noted that the BOS just set the tax rate. Joe is looking for suggestions that would be
helpful in reducing taxes on Lexington retailers better than the existing small commercial
exemption (fewer than 10 employees and less than a million in property valuation). Very few
businesses in Lexington satisfy the restrictions of the existing option and the Board has not
elected to implement the exemption.