HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-14-LCC-min.pdf
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Town of Lexington
Lexington Center Committee
Submitted by Kat MacDonald
Minutes for the meeting held on November 14, 2024, beginning at 8:45 am in the Parker
Room, Town O>ice Building, Lexington, Massachusetts
Members present: T. Eric Ballard, Jr, Richard Brown, Upasna Chhabra, Kat MacDonald,
Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (Chair),
Liaisons present: Jay Abdella, EDD; Jill Hai, Select Board; Sandhya Iyer, EDD; Maija
Sawyer, Chamber of Commerce and Co-Chair of Holiday Lighting Committee
Guests: Michael Harris; Danit Netzer
DPW Update
• Jerry Michelson shared Dave Pinsonneault‘s updates.
• Parklet :
o Parklet removed late October. Wales did not like the 2024 location.
Avenue Deli liked the location and benefited from additional foot tra>ic.
o DPW owns and stores the parklet in the o>-season. There is a height
di>erential between the current parklet with base and the sidewalk
height. It requires a ramp that takes up a portion of the sidewalk next to
the parklet.
o Jill Hai recommended Lexington Center Committee submit suggestions
on 2025 location including location and timing to Select Board.
o Innessa Manning volunteered to draft recommendations to be presented
to the Select Board.
• Outdoor Tables and Chairs:
o Discussion about whether outdoor seating could be extended through the
winter, since some customers use outdoor seating throughout the year.
o Outdoor seating permits only extend through the end of November. If
items are left out, there would be an issue with snow removal on
sidewalks.
• Other Items:
o Jerry Michelson will mention to Dave Pinsonneault the lack of a striped
stop line for cars at the bike path when entering/exiting Depot Building lot.
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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. Currently open.
o Knit, Tuck and Purl – yarn shop; currently open. Signage now with HDC.
o Signature Stationers – Taste Buds Kitchen is in talks with Robert Marcus
RE/EDD for possible rental.
o Liberty Sweets – set to open late November
o Zen (previously known as Karma) – about to begin permitting process.
o Art’s Specialties – now Nick’s Wine and Liquor
o Figurella – Italian Gym for Women – not in Center but on Bedford Street in
Ciampa Development. Personal training for women. Other locations in
Newton and Wellesley.
o Three new residential units may be going in above Lexington Nails. Still in the
conversation stage. No elevator in building.
o Locations still open:
§ Bulpan
§ Sanyo
§ Empow (second floor)
• Mural Project:
o EDD is working with Lexington Historical Society for 10 mini-murals on the
columns at the back of the Depot Building. The theme will be history, art and
clothing through the ages.
o EDD currently reaching out to artists for submissions of interest.
o Upasna Chhabra will work to get down to 3 artists, with one finalist being
chosen to do all 10 columns. Goal is to have a finalist by 12/31/24.
Grain Mill Alley Kiosk Update and Discussion
• Funding has been secured.
• The project is still in the design phase. Contract to be signed by 12/31/24.
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• Project will consist of 2 Kiosk with 5 wayfinding signs.
Kiosks:
o Meriam Street at Adams Building
o Grain Mill Alley
Wayfinding Signs:
o Walkway at Grant Street
o Whipple Way (owned by Historical Society)
o Other locations - possibly Camilla Place
§ Can add more directional signs for not much additional money.
• Same contractor who created signage in East Lexington will match the signage for
Lexington Center and Bedford Street.
• May be 3 or 4-sided rather than 2-sided. Rules may be on one of the panels.
• E-ink is a possibility. It is not digital but it can be changed so this is being
considered.
• Looking at administrative approval from HDC. This may be possible because only
an ok is needed to go out to bid.
• Budgets are being presented to the Select Board on December 4th, 5th, and 10th
Lexington Center Committee approved a motion recommending a dynamic display
– electronic or e-ink – for the Grain Mill Alley Kiosk.
Holiday Season Programming
Holiday Lighting:
• Money to light Lexington Center is from private citizens and businesses. No town
money is used for this purpose.
• There will be pole wraps, snowflakes, and lights near Cary Library.
Holiday Events:
November 29 - 6:00p Santa arrives at Emery Park on a fire truck.
December 5 – Taste of Lexington Holiday Shopping Night. Sponsored by Lexington
Retailers Association, Lexington Chamber of Commerce and Lexington Mavens.
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December 26 – Second Night of Hannukkah. Gelt is dropped from a fire ladder and the
menorah is lit. Sponsored by the 3 Lexington Temples.
January 11 – Lantern Making Workshops during the week
Other Lights:
Projections on Depot Building – working with Munroe Center for the Arts
Idea is to light up the winter nights.
The numbers 2024 and then 2025 after the New Year will be placed in Emery Park.
Great for photos.
Review of Previous Programming:
Drone Show:
• Very positive feedback.
Halloween:
• Very large crowds. Perhaps consider closing streets.
• The next 3 years Halloween will be on a Friday so the event may start earlier in the
day, with the schools having half-day Fridays.
• Suggestions of an event in Emery Park associated with the trick-or-treating.
• Discussion of Halloween will be continued at August 2025 meeting.
Parking Lot Redesign – Muzzey Street and Library
Jill Hai recommended sending a letter to the Select Board with the concerns the Lexington
Center Committee has regarding parking lots. There is a new Town Manager and all Select
Board Members may not remember the issues the Lexington Center Committee has
previously recommended regarding parking lots, timing, parking signage, etc.
Committee Membership
Lexington Center Committee recommended Michael Harris and Danit Netzer be
recommended to the Select Board for appointment to the Lexington Center
Committee.
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Approve Meeting Minutes
We will review and approve September – November minutes at our December meeting.
Meeting adjourned 10:00.
Next Meeting: Thursday, December 12th 8:30-10:00