HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-13-LCC-min.pdfPage 1 of 4
Town of Lexington
Lexington Center Committee
Submitted by Kat MacDonald
Minutes for the meeting held on Thursday, November 13, 2025 beginning at 8:30 am in the
Parker Room, Town OCice Building, Lexington, Massachusetts
Members present: Mike Harris, Katherine Huang, Stephen Jackson, JeCrey Lyon, Kat
MacDonald, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (Chair), Danit Netzer, Jon Wakelin
Liaisons present: Capt. Christopher Barry, Lexington Police Dept; Michael Boudett,
Capital Expenditures; Olivia Kelley, Chamber of Commerce; Doug Lucente, Select Board;
Tina McBride, Planning Committee;
Guests present: Pamela Lyons, Carol Sacerdote
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Lexington Center Committee-Membership Updates
• Dick Brown resigned from the committee.
• Stephen Jackson was appointed to fill the open seat.
DPW Update
Jerry provided some updates.
• Sidewalk repairs are scheduled to be done in November.
o The sidewalks are scheduled to be inspected each year. Vacancies at DPW
meant this schedule was not kept. There is money appropriated for repairs
but staCing issues are delaying the work.
o The Select Board has been advocating for a system for citizens to be able to
make DPW aware of issues in real time. Citizens could also see whether
small jobs are in a queue.
§ Doug Lucente suggested a letter from LCC to the Select Board
requesting that routine maintenance be prioritized.
Economic Development Department (EDD) Updates
• Vacancy Update/New Businesses:
o Lexington Liquors (previously Catch a Falling Star) is currently closed. Owner
considering a diCerent food vendor.
o Webster Bank is closed on Waltham Street.
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o Russian School of Math – dumpsters are in place and construction has
started.
• Programming:
o Solicitation letters are in the mail to support Light Up Lexington. Please
respond to that appeal.
o Taste of Lexington, sponsored by Lexington Mavens, is Thursday, December
4th 5:00-9:00.
o Santa arrives at Depot Square at 6p on Friday, November 28th.
o Menorah Lighting is Thursday, December 18th.
Wayfinding Signs and Grain Mill Alley (GMA) Kiosk
• The base is installed in Grain Mill Alley. This will allow the kiosk to be installed even
if ground is frozen when it is complete.
• Discussions already in the works on future, additional kiosks which may include
some digital signage.
Update from Lexington Police Department, Capt. Barry
• LPD has made an eCort to be more present on sidewalks in Lexington Center. They
have spoken to people biking on the sidewalks. The individuals addressed
corrected their behavior but there would need to be a constant presence for there to
be widespread change in behaviors.
• E-bikes and electric scooters are increasingly problematic, both in Lexington and
other towns.
• Wa ze (driving app) should have Lexington Center marked as a 20 mph zone but it
does not. There are issues with commuters leaving Route 128, driving through
Lexington Center, and being unfamiliar with the numerous hazards/pedestrian
crosswalks.
• LCC members expressed an interest in having an increased police presence in
Lexington Center. Years ago, there was an oCicer assigned to Lexington Center but
staCing shortages and position changes have resulted in that oCicer being pulled for
other duties. The town has grown in size but the size of the police force has not.
Additionally, there are numerous “specialty oCicers” (for example, additional School
Resource OCicers) whose numbers simply reduce the size of the general force.
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• The only real improvement to Lexington Center enforcement would come with an
increase in the size of the police force. There is limited interest in this currently.
Lexington Center Committee Priorities
All priorities will require:
• Fact finding, Historical research, Communication with DPW/Engineering Dept (we
must be judicious with staC requests)
• Doug Lucente cautioned us on establishing sub-committees. Sub-committee work
requires agendas to be filed and minutes to be submitted as part of Open Meeting
Law.
o Lexington staC ARE able to pull in volunteers to assist as working groups.
o Initial steps should be fact-finding.
1. TraTic & Transportation Study
Scope: Understand current and future tra1ic patterns, including the impact of new housing
developments, new high school, and other factors. Gather and review all old studies.
Sandhya Iyer sees this as part of her priorities. Next steps would be creating an RFP and
budget request for a study.
Members: Innessa Manning (Lead), Katharine Huang, Je9rey Lyon, Kat MacDonald
2. Parking Lots: CVS/Depot Lot Redesign
Scope: Identify all users of space, Identify signage/communication; Assess current flow of
cars, people, bicycles; Assess impact of new projects on lot; Make recommendations on
next steps.
Members: Mike Harris (Lead), Danit Netzer, Upasna Chhabra
3. Parking Lots: Muzzey Street Lot Redesign
Scope: Identify all users of space, Identify signage/communication; Assess current
flow of cars, people, bicycles; Assess impact of new projects on lot; Make
recommendations on next steps.
Members: Jon Wakelin (Lead), Je9 Lyon,, Stephen Jackson
4. Parking Lots: Explore the Possibility of Underground Parking in Both Lots
Scope: Obtain and review RFP and report from 2014 on Parking Management.
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Members: This will be mostly reviewing old studies and information. Jon Wakelin, Stephen
Jackson and Kat MacDonald agreed to work on this in addition to other priorities.
Approve Minutes
• LCC members voted unanimously to accept the minutes from the June and
September 2025 meetings.
Meeting adjourned 10:15.
Next Meeting: Thursday, December 11th 8:30-10:00