HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-12-LCC-min.pdfPage 1 of 3
Town of Lexington
Lexington Center Committee
Submitted by Kat MacDonald
Minutes for the meeting held on Thursday, June 12, 2025 beginning at 8:40 am in the
Parker Room, Town O>ice Building, Lexington, Massachusetts
Members present: T. Eric Ballard, Richard Brown, Upasna Chhabra, Mike Harris, Katherine
Huang, Je>rey Lyon, Kat MacDonald, Jerold Michelson (Chair), Danit Netzer, Jon Wakelin
Liaisons present: Jay Abdella and Sandhya Iyer, EDC; Capt. Christopher Barry, Lexington
Police Dept; Steve Bartha, Town Manager; Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for
Development; Doug Lucente, Select Board; Tina McBride, Planning Committee; Dave
Pinsonneault, DPW
Guests present: Fred Johnson, Pamela Lyons, Carol Sacerdote
===================================
DPW Update
• Certain concrete sidewalks that have failed are being replaced.
• Center trash barrels will be picked up on Sunday mornings for the summer (thru
October)
• Depot Parking Lot is being re-striped and one-way arrows are being re-painted.
Potholes, wobbly grates, and sunken bricks will be addressed.
Introduction of Steve Bartha, Town Manager
• LCC members introduced themselves to the new Town Manager.
• Steve Bartha spoke about his background, his appreciation of the many town
committees, and his appreciation for the people of Lexington.
Economic Development Department (EDD) Updates
• Vacancy Update/New Businesses:
o Dragonfly Boutique is closing. Another retail store will be taking that spot.
o Via Lago and Abbotts Frozen Custard are both vacant. Property owners is
open to food establishments.
o Post 1917 is currently doing interior renovations. Expect to open in August.
o Zen is making very slow progress. Business operators also own the building.
o 1800 Mass Ave (Signature Stationers Building) has been sold. No further
information on future plans.
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o EDD still awaiting an additional 10 liquor licenses to be approved by the
Commonwealth. Four businesses are currently awaiting the approval.
• Programming:
o Center Mural Project (behind Lexington Historical Society Building) is
progressing. The artist expects to finish in July. Murals will be in place for 5
years.
o Summer Concert Series sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce takes
place on 7 Fridays 6:30-8:30 in Emery Park.
o The Lexington Lions sponsor annual fireworks and carnival July 2nd through
July 6th.
REV Bus pickup/dropoP location and time
• The REV bus requires a space to load and unload before 9:30a.
• LCC suggested the spots outside Brookline Bank and Lexington Liquors. This would
need to be cleared with those businesses as well as Lexington Historical Society.
• Another suggestion was to use the MBTA Bus Parking area in front of Crafty Yankee.
Not sure whether the REV bus and MBTA bus would both need the spot
concurrently.
• Issue was tabled until additional a>ected parties can attend the LCC meeting.
Parklet Location for 2025
• 2025 Parklet location outside Galaray House on Mass Ave was approved by the
Select Board.
• All but one neighbor supported the location.
• Parklet should be in place in the next two weeks.
Wayfinding Signs and Grain Mill Alley (GMA) Kiosk
• License for wayfinding signs and kiosk expected to be received in August.
Installation is expected for the fall.
Redesign of Parking Lots – Muzzey Street and Library
• Engineering, Economic Development and Planning Board met to discuss that there
are buildings for whom the only ADA-access is through the parking lot. There are at
least 8 owners involved. Before moving forward, both property owners and business
owners need to be consulted.
• Dave Pinsonneault will have John Livsey get current plans for parking lot re-design to
Jerry Michelson for distribution to LCC.
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• LCC recognized that there are ongoing, conflicting priorities for the parking lots.
Those priorities include solar arrays, business deliveries, dumpster
placements/access, parking of cars, pedestrian walkways, etc.
• Doug Lucente recommended LCC make a recommendation to the Select Board that
required functions of the parking lot are incompatible with the placement of solar
arrays.
Review Progress on Journey Forward memo received by Select Board
LCC reviewed the priorities previously recommended to the Select Board, summarized
below.
1. Prioritize Town-owned Land in Lexington Center for Housing
Carol Kowalski o,ered to re-send Jerry Michelson feasibility study on CVS/Depot
Parking Lots
No action yet on housing feasibility studies in Lexington Center
2. Focus on ways to create welcoming and inviting entry ways into Lexington Center
These include kiosks and signage from both the roads and bike path as well as
additional lighting.
3. Ensure alignment of signage and MBTA Zoning requirements.
4. Evaluate options for supporting Lexington Center Programming.
Lexington Center Committee Priorities for the Upcoming Year
• Jerry Michelson asked each member of the LCC to come to the July meeting with 3
to 5 priorities for the next year. We will work to get the list to 3 priorities.
Approve Minutes
• LCC members voted unanimously to accept the minutes from the February, March,
April and May 2025 meetings.
Lexington Center Committee – Membership Updates
• Danit Netzer and Jon Wakelin were appointed to the Lexington Center Committee by
the Select Board.
Meeting adjourned 10:10.
Next Meeting: Thursday, July 10th 8:30-10:00
Remaining 2025 Meetings: August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13, December
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