HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-10-LCC-min.pdf
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Town of Lexington
Lexington Center Committee
Submitted by Kat MacDonald
Minutes for the meeting held on October 10, 2024, beginning at 8:30 am in the Parker
Room, Town O>ice Building, Lexington, Massachusetts
Members present: Richard Brown, Upasna Chhabra, Katherine Huang, Je>ery Lyon, Kat
MacDonald, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (Chair),
Liaisons present: Jay Abdella, EDC; Sandhya Iyer, EDC; David Pinsonneault, DPW
Guests: Michael Harris; Frederic Johnson; Pamela Lyons; Danit Netzer
DPW Update
• Parklet on Mass Ave to be removed week of October 28th. Last weekend trash
collected October 27th.
o Suggestions were made for next year’s parklet:
§ Purchase fake greenery for fencing and add di>erent plantings.
§ Location 2025 to be determined jointly by Lexington Center
Committee and Economic Development Committee. DPW will install
in early May.
• Power washing to be finished before tree lighting.
• Some striping in Depot Lot to be completed tomorrow. Remaining striping awaiting
contractor’s schedule.
• Facilities Sta> will meet in two weeks to discuss solar options for parking lots.
Designs for parking lots can proceed after this internal meeting regarding solar.
• Holiday Lights will return this year.
• Request was made to clean the sidewalk on Grant Street from Mass Ave to Grant
Place.
• Cutting of the brush near the Telephone Building needs to be completed.
• Lights in Lexington Center had been coming on at the wrong times. The contractor
fixed this so that lights are now on from dusk to dawn. Must be on a timer rather
than a sensor.
• Hughes Electric replaced the lights at the Minuteman Statue.
• DPW waiting on contractor’s schedule to fix lights on Battle Green flagpole.
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Economic Development Department (EDD) Update
• Vacancy Update:
o Dragonfly – new women’s clothing store on Mass Ave; owner is a Lexington
resident.
o Knit, Tuck and Purl – yarn shop; in permitting phase; set to open later this
month
o Liberty Sweets – set to open October or November
o Zen (previously known as Karma) – in process with ZBA regarding a canopy
o Hipstitch – not planning to open at all due to unexpected costs of ADA-
compliant bathroom and leaks not addressed by building manager/owner.
§ Discussion of possible missteps in process with this new business.
§ Change of Occupancy Permit is always needed.
• Kiosk:
o EDD needs to work with Bicycle Advisory Committee, DPW and the Lexington
Center Committee and will likely need an RFP to proceed with kiosk.
• Mural Project:
o EDD is in talks with Bank of America for a possible mural on the wall to the
left of the Bank of America drive-thru teller (mural would actually be on the
DCU Building.)
o EDD working with other property owners to identify potential locations for
additional murals.
o Upasna will represent the Lexington Center Committee to judge artist
submissions for murals.
• ARPA Funds:
o ARPA Funds secured for wayfinding.
o Select Board approved $30,000 plus $20,000 for programming support.
o Electronic kiosk may be able to move forward utilizing these funds.
Lexington 250 Programming and Art Walk Update
Art Walk
o Currently on display in many windows in Lexington Center.
o Approximately 120 pieces of art by about 50 artists.
o Reception celebrating exhibit at Galaray House tonight 5:00-7:00pm.
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Lexington Center Programming
• Diwali Celebration – October 19th
• Trick -or-Treating – Halloween Day 2:00-5:00pm.
• Santa’s Arrival
o Day after Thanksgiving
• Taste of Lexington – Thursday, December 5th
• Hannukah Lights – 12/25 marks the first night of Hannukah
o One light is lit each night. Night of party still to be determined.
o Both Lexington temples and Chabad will participate.
• Illumination Night – January 11th
Lexington 250 Programming
• Horses by Artists
o 6 placed around Lexington Center
• Drone Show
o Sunday night 6:30p - October 20th
o Near Ball Fields on Worthen Road
o Show followed by parade to Battle Green with small program/photos
• Patriotic Plantings
o Meg Himmel is spearheading the planting of red, white and blue bulbs to be
planted to bloom for the Lexington 250 Celebration. Planting will take place
in the next 2 weeks.
• Monument for Belfry Hill Park
o Plans for this monument still in discussions. Not approved yet.
o Individuals can express their opinions at the 10/21/24 Select Board Meeting.
GMA Kiosk Update and Discussion
• Bicycle Committee approved Jerry’s proposal for kiosk.
• Suggestion for more signs near Depot Building, Lexington Nails and Fruitee Yogurt.
• Jerry and Fred Johnson will work to assure transportation information is on the kiosk.
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Parking Lot Redesign – Muzzey Street and Library
• New meter heads were installed at the Muzzey Street Lot.
• Delay on the re-design of the lots due to consideration of solar panels. There is
concern about the height of solar panels with the need for delivery trucks in the
lot.
• Jerry will reach out to Jill Hai to assure that the people working on the parking lot
re-design will keep all issues previously identified in mind, as well as the solar
concerns. Those issues include functionality, bicycles, pedestrians and delivery
access to all businesses.
• Striping and signage are waiting to be replaced/re-done because we know
parking lots will be re-designed. However, short-term actions may be needed
until full re-design takes place. These are busy and active lots.
Landscaping along Grant Street
• Pamela Lyons presented on behalf of Lexington Living Landscapes (LLL).
o Lexington Living Landscapes (LLL) proposes providing plants and on-going
maintenance along the edge of the Edison Building at the top of Grant Street.
o The grasses currently there will remain. DPW sta> will do the heavy work of
planting in conjunction with LLL volunteers.
o Small signs labeling plants will be placed nearby.
o Proposal for this planting has already been approved by the HDC.
Lexington Center Committee unanimously approved a motion to support this e6ort.
Emeritus Members of Lexington Center Committee
Lexington Center Committee approved a motion to recommend to the Select Board the
appointment of Frederic Johnson, Pamela Lyons and Pamela Shadley as Emeritus Members of
the Lexington Center Committee.
• This designation would recognize the years of service provided by these past
committee members.
New Members of Lexington Center Committee
Lexington Center Committee voted to recommend Michael Harris and Danit Netzer to
the Select Board for appointment as new members of the Lexington Center
Committee.
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Approve Meeting Minutes
Lexington Center Committee approved the August 2024 Meeting Minutes as
submitted.
Meeting adjourned 10:00. A group photo at the 250 Calendar was taken during the
meeting.
Next Meeting: Thursday, November 14th 8:30-10:00