HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-30-SB-ATM-rpt
S ELECT B OARD
T OWN OF L EXINGTON
SELECT BOARD REPORT TO THE
2026 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
MARCH 30, 2026
Select Board:
Jill I. Hai, Chair; Joseph N. Pato, Vice-Chair; Douglas M. Lucente
Mark D. Sandeen and Vineeta A. Kumar
Fiscal Challenges Ahead
Rising costs, stagnant commercial growth and sluggish state aid are putting enormous pressure
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on local budgets across Massachusetts. Like most Massachusetts communities, Lexington faces
a number of fiscal challenges in the years ahead. Historically high health insurance premium
increases, continued pressures on salaries and wages, and the increasing cost of supplies and
contractual services combine to squeeze our ability to maintain service delivery.
conservative budgeting practices and strong fiscal management. These practices include minimal
use of one-time revenues for ongoing expenses, prioritizing paying for capital projects with cash
to reduce debt and interest expenses, funding long-term Pension and Other Post Employment
Benefits (OPEB), and setting-aside funds into fiscal reserves and stabilization funds.
It is our intention to convene policy discussions this year prior to the annual budget summit
process to review key fiscal issues such as:
Funding Large Capital Projects post LHS (potential future debt exclusions): Long term
capital planning improvement needs include East Lexington Fire Station Reconstruction,
Clark Middle School HVAC, Library HVAC, and Town Office Building
Use of Renewable Energy Rebates: develop guidelines for redeploying rebate revenue
or savings generated by investment in renewable energy
Pension & OPEB Funding: develop guidelines for redeploying resources if and when the
Pension liability is fully funded, including guidelines for maintaining fully funded status.
Potential New Fee Revenue:
Bulky & White Good Removal approved in 2025, will go into effect July 1, 2026
Composting -may be necessary if the cost of existing services continues to
increase, or to add new services
Stormwater Enterprise this may be necessary if the new EPA permit requires
significant investment in stormwater management
Other potential revenue sources to be identified by staff
Planning for changes in population, and shift in tax base between Residential and
Commercial properties
In addition, we seek to identify options for revenue diversification; however, this is a process
highly dependent on statewide action. To that end, we support the local-option taxes included in
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the Municipal Empowerment Act currently being debated by the legislature. These options
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Massachusetts Municipal Association (2025), A Perfect Storm: Cities and Towns Face Historic Fiscal Pressures
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Bill H.5131 and Bill H.56, An Act empowering municipalities and local governments
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include measures to more easily enact tax exemptions for seniors, veterans, and other vulnerable
increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid state funding to municipalities that has failed
to keep pace with inflation and was sharply reduced during the Great Recession of 2008-2010,
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dropping from approximately 11.5% of municipal revenue vs local taxes in 2007 to 5.4% in 2024.
Status of Home Rule Petitions
As of this report, the home-rule petitions approved by Town Meetings from 2023 through 2025
are largely pending before legislative committees of the General Court, with one petition having
been enacted into law.
1. ATM 2025: Article 24 Regulation of Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides
Bill: House Docket No. H.4133 An Act to authorize the town of Lexington to prohibit or
restrict the application of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides
Status: The bill will not be advancing. A statewide version of the legislation on this topic will
advance.
2. ATM 2025: Article 26 Local Voting Rights for Lawful Permanent Residents
Bill: House Docket No. H.4132 An Act to grant the town of Lexington the authority to endow
legal residents with local voting rights in municipal elections
Status: Referred to the committee on Election Laws. Pending further action.
3. STM 2025-2: Article 9 Home Rule Legislation for New Lexington High School
Bill: House Docket No. H.4843 An Act providing for the exchange of certain park land in the
town of Lexington
Status: Reported favorably out of committee by the Joint Committee on Municipalities and
Regional Government. Has gone to House Steering, Policy, and Scheduling (next steps: Third
Reading, Floor Vote)
4. STM 2025-2: Article 11 Clarification of LexHab Reorganization
Bill: House Docket No. H.4842 An Act to clarify the organization of the Lexington Housing
Assistance Board
Status: Reported out Favorably, currently with Steering, Policy, and scheduling.
5. ATM 2024: Article 39 Additional Wine and Malt Beverage On-Premise Licenses
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Massachusetts Municipal Association (2025), Navigating the Storm: Charting a Course
Toward Fiscal Stability
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Bill: House Docket No. H.3893 An Act authorizing the town of Lexington to grant ten
additional licenses for the sale of wine and malt beverages to be drunk on the premises
Status : The petition completed the legislative process and was enacted into law as Chapter 36 of
the Acts of 2025.
6. STM 2023-1: Article 9 Establishing the Election of Town Offices using Ranked Choice
Voting
Bill: House Docket No. H.809 An Act establishing ranked choice voting for certain offices in
the town of Lexington
Status: Referred to the committee on Election Laws
processing, will accompany a study order
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