HomeMy WebLinkAboutStrategic Planning and Implementation GroupBoard of Selectmen (continued) Bikeway Committ(
Strategic Planning Committee
A resolution passed at the 1993 Town Meeting
proposed that the selectmen schedule ".... a
program of community discussions in
cooperation with civic, religious, business,
school and other community organizations, to
debate and clarify core values and program
priorities to guide the town's budgeting process."
It was hoped that input would be received from
residents not normally vocal in town matters. The
information gatheled at these meetings could then
be used to assist in the budget planning process.
Following the close of Town Meeting, an ad hoc
group was assembled and the selectmen
requested that the group provide advice as to
the process which should be followed to
implement the resolution.
This group, first known as "The Steering
Wheel," then as the "Strategic Planning and
Implementation Group," met Thursday mornings
through the summer. It recommended a series
of ten community gatherings held at various
locations around town, with volunteer
professional facilitators leading the sessions.
The meetings were held in the Fall, and the
results judged to be rewarding. It became evident
there were wide ranging differences among
residents as to what was most important.
Comments were heard concerning the difficulty
some people are having keeping their homes in
the face of rising taxes. Others were concerned
that the quality of life in Lexington could well
deteriorate if sufficient funds were not made
available. Others were very concerned that the
level of excellence in the schools be maintained;
a myriad other equally important thoughts were
expressed.
A report summarizing these gatherings was
prepared, and public hearings held relating to
the report. It was generally thought the
gathering provided beneficial information and
were worthwhile.
It is now envisioned that focus groups will be
assembled to identify and discuss values
thought to be most important.
After the results of' these discussions have been
assembled, a survey will be sent to about 1,000
residents, selected at random, to get a more
detailed analysis of core values.
Selectmen envision that all the information
developed through these efforts will be made
available to interested committees and all
residents and will bi useful in toth long and
short range budget considerations.
The advisory group which organized this effort
included20 people from several major boards and
committees, the schools; League of Women Voters,
TMMA,and one "interested citizen." Another 10
volunteer facilitators ran the input meetings.
The town has benefited greatly from the work
of the many volunteers who staff our committees.
The work of these groups is invaluable; without
their efforts the level and quality of service now
being provided could not be maintained.
William J. Dailey , Jr., Chairman
Minuteman Commuter Bikeway Committee: 'Front Charman Tom Fortman, Sandra Shaw
and Mike Sacco. Rear. Selectman Liaison Betty Eddison, Marita Hansom; Richard Canoe, Bob
Sawyer and John Frey. Not shown, Jerry VanHook and Angela Frick. Photo: Ray Barnes.
Town of Lexington ANNUAI[REPORT 1993 — P
age
The highlight of the year was the official e
on May 30 of the Minuteman Commuter Bi
After nearly 20 years of planning and wnsb
the Lexington portion of the bikewa
dedicated to the memory of Jack Eddison
Jack had been one of the bikeway's sti
advocates add spent much of his ti
chairman of the Minuteman Commuter B:
Committee (MCBC) while a selectman.
Eddison accepted a plaque at the dedi
naming the Lexington portion the "1:
Eddison Memorial Bikeway."
The MCBC managed several other 2
plishments in 1993. It published a br
featuring historic and current points of i
along the route. Twenty thousand topic
printed and are available at the Visitors'
A Rules of the Road committee met oft:
the Lexington Bicycle Safety Commitb
citizens from Bedford and Arlington and
on rules, now posted on signs along the
The next project: guidelines for bike%
by outside organizations.
The Lexington Friends of the Minu
Commuter Bikeway was established and
discussing with the MCBC bikeway exte
through Bedford, Concord, and Cambri
well as amenities along the route.
Of primary importance at the end of 199:
proposal by the state to replace three r
bridges along the route with concre
culverts. The committee strongly oppo:
proposal; it believes safety to the users
be greatly compromised, and plans to wo
the state on alternatives.
MCBC advises selectmen on all matters t
to the bikeway to serve the best interest
town, its citizens and neighboring comm:
This includes monitoring completion, op:
maintenance and security as well as :pro
harmonious useby.a variety of users.
Members: Tom:Fortmann, chairman
Veil -fools; . Manta Hartshorn;' Sandra
Recreation Committee representative
Frey; Richard Canale, Planning Board red
tative; Angela Frick, Conservation COME
representative; BoliSawyer, Michael Sac
Betty Eddison, selectmen's liaison.
I. Introduction
During the 1993 Annual Town Meeting, a resolution amending Article Four proposed the
development of a "budget -planning process," to include, among other things, "a program of
community discussions in cooperation with civic, religious, business, school, and other
community organizations, to debate and clarify core values and program priorities to guide the
town's budgeting process." Theprimary responsibility for implementing the resolution rested'
with the Board of Selectmen which enthusiastically embraced the idea and appointed the Strategic
Planning and Implementation Group (SPAIG).
H. Planning and Implementation
The members of SPAIG ,met Thursday mornings from May through September in order to
determine the manner in which the resolutionwould be implemented. As a -result of these
meetings this. group sponsored, with the support of the Board of Selectmen, public hearings
aimed at obtaining public input on the core values,/long-term goals and program priorities which
would be appropriate for Lexington in the 1990's. The group had no expectations concerning
the outcome of this planned public process; rather, it was envisioned as an experiment and a
beginning point in identifying community values and priorities.
The schedule of and locations for each of the public hearings Was planned in such a manner that
almost anyone who resides in Lexington would have the ability to attend and have input. There
were six evening sessions, onQpfternoon•session/two Saturday-sessipns and a call-in session
sponsored by Cablevision. Meetings were scheduled in locations throughout' the town in order
to make attendance easier for a large part, 'Of the population. Locations for the hearings
included: the Senior Center, East Lexington Library, Clarke Middle School, St. Brigid's Parish
Hall, Estabrook School, Temple Isaiah Social Hall, Hayden Recreation Center, Heritage Hall,
and Diamond Middle School. An additional aftemoon session was held at Lexington High
School in an effort to involve the student population of the community. Volunteer facilitators
helping with the planning and implementation of the process were: Nariman Behravesh, Lionel
Fray, Peter Kreisky, Robin Libson, Alex Nedzel, Larry Prusak, Linda Roemer, Barbara Shafer,
Burton Woolf, and Phyllis Yale. Recorders for the sessions were Rebekka Hoskin and Cindy
Boecker.
In total, approximately 300 people attended one or more of the public hearings. Such a small
sample of the population as a whole cannot be Considered statistically valid;' but can provide
some insight into the concerns The Town may be facing currently or may face in the future.
During each session, those present had an opportunity to express their views regarding core
values, long-term goals and program priorities. For the purposes of the planning process, core
values were defined as "What are the principles that should guide policy and budget decisions?"
Long-term goals were defined as where those in attendance would like to see Lexington in five
to ten years. Program priorities were defined as those town services which should have first call
on the town's resources. At the close of the sessions, those attending were given the opportunity
to chose the three most important (the "must haves") for each of these categories as well as three '
others (the "nice to haves"). The responses were tallied and the following observations are the
result of those tabulations.
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Page 2
III. General Observations from Feedback
Several consistent comments regarding core values arose out of the meetings. The most
frequently mentioned, not necestsarily'in priority order, include:
•a strong sense of community;
•high quality public safety;
•a focus on diversity in the community, including a diversity of ethnic,
economic, and age representation in Lexington;
•high quality schools;
•tax stability; and
•green space issues, primarily relating to the maintenance. and preservation of
conservation land and open space.
Other values often mentioned during the process include: the presence of high quality libraries;
efficiency and accessibility of Town government; tax stability; a willingness to pay for services;
a pride in the aesthetic or physical appearance of the community; high quality recreation
programming; a pro-business atmosphere; a special concern' for the youth and elderly of the
community; and a sensitivity to the historical significance and' heritage of the community.
Comments regarding long-term goals also focused on schools and the preservation of a quality
educational system in Lexington. Other issues frequently mentioned as important long term
goals fof the community include: a well maintained infrastructure, the use of local volunteers,
and. an awareness of environmental issues (including recycling,'water usage, and open space
issues). Affordable housing, open communications on the part of the Town government,
enhanced cultural activities, an improved transportation system, pollution and traffic control, and
.a concern for the maintenance of a healthy, vibrant center offering a variety of services were
all also mentioned a number of times as goals for which to strive in Lexington.
Controlling expansion at Hanscom Air Base and the reopening of Hastings school were the most
frequently cited issues to be addressed as program priorities. A long-term goal of openness is
reflected in the suggestion that regular,discussions of issues in Town become a p?ogram priority.
Other priorities arising out of the sessions include: discussion of the possibility of closing the
East Lexington Fire Station; a discussion of the issues of the widening of 2A; a focus on the
possible uses for the Metropolitan State Hospital land; a maintenance of the LEXPRESS
transportation system; and a recognition of the importance of regional relationships.
A complete accounting of the discussion of each session is attached as an addendum to this
report to allow readers the ability to see the wide variety of issues and comments made at the
various public sessions.
IV. Conclusion
The feedback obtained from the strategic planning public hearings, while valuable and very
useful, is not statistically valid and should not be taken to be representative of the values,
priorities, and goals of the community as a whole. This information reflects the views of a
small sample of the population of the Town of Lexington and should be judged as a sample of
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Page 3
what a larger effort should entail. It can, -however, „be used as ,critical information in the
continuing efforts of,,the Board of Selectmen to, implement ,the resolution attached to Article
Four. A continuation of these hearings, albeit more, structured,. focus groups, surveys and`other
participative planning efforts should use the data collected in this preliminary process" s
starting point for further information gathering.
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embers of the Selectmen's Strategic Planning Advisory and Implementation Group (SPAIG)
which organized the conversations are listed below along with the group association on the basis
of which each was selected.
Nancy Adler
Neal Boyle
Nancy Cannalonga
Bill Daley
Chris Coughlin •
Karen Dooks
Betty Eddison
Peter Enrich
Dan Fenn
Andy Friedlich
Paul Hamburger
Donna Hooper
Jay Kaufman
Paul Keane
Gerald McLeod
James Nicoloro
John Oberteuffer
Jane Pagett
Rick White
David Williams
League of Women Voters
LEXACT
Town Meeting Member
Board of Selectmen
Appropriation Committee
Capital Expenditures Comrpittee
Board of Selectmen
TMMA
Boprd of Selectmen
Coalition of Neighborhood Associations
Capital Expenditures Committee'
Human Services Committee
Lexington Coalition
Interested Citizen
Police Manual{Committee
Lexington Senior'Citizen's Club
School Committee
Appropriation Comrnittpe
Town Manager
Planning Board
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