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Home My WebLink About2026-04-15 SB-minSELECT BOARD MEETING Wednesday, April 15, 2026 A meeting of the Lexington Select Board was called to order at 6:00p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, via a hybrid meeting platform. Ms. Hai, Chair; Mr. Pato, Vice Chair; Mr. Lucente, Ms. Kumar, and Mr. Sandeen were present, as well as Town Manager, Mr. Bartha; Deputy Town Manager, Ms. Axtell; and Executive Assistant, Ms. Katzenback. PUBLIC COMMENTS Olga Guttag, Emerson Road, urged the Board to vote against or indefinitely postpone Article 31 as it has many issues yet to be worked out. After the fiscally disastrous decisions to support Article 34 in 2023, followed by insufficient disclosure of upcoming operating budget shortfalls prior to the debt exclusion vote for $660M for a new high school, she and many residents have lost faith in the local government. Severely limiting the most basic municipal service does not seem to be hearing from the opposing voices. Rather than establishing policies for staff to follow, the Board establishes policies based on what the staff feels is needed. She asked that, if this moves forward, the Board include language that any change will require a town-wide referendum. She stated that she believes with automated trucks, the Town could satisfy the different needs of residents without having too many exceptions, as is currently proposed, to reduce volumes. Zhang Zhechun, 3 Baker Ave, regarding Article 4, urged the Select Board not to vote yes on the free cash proposal until the Lexington Public Schools can be fully transparent regarding the finances. Regarding Article 7, he asked the Select Board to consider supporting a system such as an open checkbook that has been successfully implemented in neighboring towns, such as Arlington, at least for public schools. This would help the district to cut unnecessary spending and also help renew public confidence that the district is prioritizing the budget to best support teachers and students. Nithya Subramanian, 175 Lowell Street, stated that Lexington’s schools are the primary engine of the Town’s economic and civic success. In the past month, the deep cuts that have been made to the school budgets have not really been tied to enrollment. These cuts are going to reduce student access to the excellent education that residents expect. If the schools are not fully funded, the impact will be felt town wide.This will have a direct impact on property values, as home equity is directly tied to the reputation of the school district. Student needs are very critical. Lisa Sullivan, Fiske Elementary School Teacher, urged the Board to vote yes on the amendment to Article 4. Public schools are operating at a deficit. They are not spending wastefully. The original budget request was not approved, leading to teacher cute. A very small portion of that was due to enrollment, while a larger portion was due to the amount of the budget that the schools were allocated. The amendment would help the schools implement the recently purchased literacy program, allow the digital learning coaches to transition to the librarians, and also help to retain some of the teachers for one more year.It also would be fiscally responsible because it will save money based on the early retirement incentive included. SELECT BOARD MEMBER CONCERNS AND LIAISON REPORTS 1. Select Board Member Announcements and Liaison Reports Ms. Hai noted that the Board must appoint a member to serve on the Library Nominating Committee. Mr. Lucente volunteered to serve on the Committee. Ms. Hai noted that the House Ways & Means budget was released today and includes proposed increases which could raise the per pupil minimum aid to $160 where it is currently at $75. She also reminded everyone that Patriots Day events will occur this weekend in Town. 2. Lexington High School Project Update to Board Mr. Pato stated that the School Building Committee met on Monday and voted to approve moving to the next step of design. The design development portion was accepted, and it remained within budget. Mr. Sandeen stated that the LHS design team had presented to the Permanent Building Committee that the design development project phase was fully compliant with the Integrated Building Design and Construction Policy, meaning that it does not need to come before the Select Board. TOWN MANAGER REPORT 1. Town Manager Weekly Update No additional updates at this time. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approve: Battle Green Use Request - Lexington Visitors Center Press Meet for iREV Tour Launch - Friday, May 1, 2026 To approve the request of the Lexington Visitors Center & Economic Development Office to use the Battle Green in front of the Minuteman Statue on Friday, May 1, 2026 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM for the purpose of a press launch event for the iREV Tour. 2. Approve: One-Day Liquor License - First Parish in Lexington Voices on the Green Storytelling Event - Friday, May 8, 2026 To approve one One-Day Liquor License for First Parish in Lexington to serve beer and wine at 7 Harrington Road, Lexington, MA, on Friday, May 8, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. 3. Approve: One-Day Liquor License - Lexington Education Fund Celebration for Education Annual Fundraiser: Saturday, May 9, 2026 To approve one One-Day Liquor License for Lexington Education Fund to serve all alcoholic beverages at Battin Hall, Cary Memorial Building, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. DOCUMENTS: Cary Hall - Battin Hall - Event Diagram.pdf 4. Approve: One-Day Liquor License - Ovenbird Cafe Private Event: Saturday, May 9, 2026 To approve one One-Day Liquor License for Ovenbird Cafe to serve beer and wine at the Lexington Community Center, 39 Marrett Road, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. DOCUMENTS: Community Center Event Diagram.pdf 5. Approve: One-Day Liquor License(s) Spectacle Live, 1605 Massachusetts Ave Saturday, May 16, 2026 - All Things Equal Saturday, May 30, 2026 - Corinne Bailey Rae Wednesday, June 3, 2026 - Righteous Brothers Thursday, June 4, 2026 - Count Basie Orchestra Thursday, June 11, 2026 - Al DiMeola Sunday, June 14, 2026 - Gaelic Storm To approve six One-Day Liquor Licenses for Spectacle Live to serve beer and wine at Cary Memorial Building, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue, for their Concert Series on May 16, 30 & June 3, 4, 11 & 14, 2026. DOCUMENTS: SpectacleEventDiagram.pdf 6. Approve: Awards for Patriots' Day 2026 Minuteman Cane Award Pat Flynn Outstanding Youth Award To approve and sign a proclamation for the 2026 Minuteman Cane Award. To approve and sign a proclamation for the 2026 Pat Flynn Outstanding Youth Award. DOCUMENTS: 2026 Minuteman Cane Award - Linda Dixon.pdf; 2026 Pat Flynn Outstanding Youth Award - Sarah Kochi.pdf 7. Approve: Proclamations Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month: May ALS Awareness Month: May Bald Eagle Day: June 20, 2026 Mental Health Month: May National Public Works Week: May 17-23, 2026 National Police Week/Peace Officers Memorial Day: May 10-16, 2026 & May 15, 2026 William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum Corps Muster Weekend: May 1-3, 2026 To approve and sign a proclamation annually recognizing the month of May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month in the Town of Lexington. To approve and sign a proclamation recognizing the month of May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month in the Town of Lexington. To approve and sign a proclamation recognizing Saturday, June 20, 2026 as Bald Eagle Day in the Town of Lexington. To approve and sign a proclamation annually recognizing the month of May as Mental Health Month in the Town of Lexington. To approve and sign a proclamation recognizing National Public Works Week from Sunday, May 17, 2026 through Saturday, May 23, 2026 in the Town of Lexington. To approve and sign a proclamation recognizing National Police Week from Sunday, May 10, 2026 through Saturday, May 16, 2026 and Peace Officers Memorial Day on Friday, May 15, 2026 in the Town of Lexington, including the lowering of the Battle Green flag on Friday, May 15, 2026. To approve and sign a proclamation recognizing the first weekend in May 2026 as William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum Corps Muster Weekend in the Town of Lexington. DOCUMENTS: 2026 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month Proclamation.pdf; 2026 ALS Awareness Month.pdf; 2026 Bald Eagle Day.pdf; 2026 Mental Health Month Proclamation.pdf; 2026 National Public Works Week Proclamation.pdf; 2026 National Police Week-Peace Officers Memorial Day Proclamation.pdf; 2026 William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum Corps Muster Weekend.pdf 8. Approve: Select Board Appointment of Town Counsel Anderson & Kreiger LLP To appoint Anderson & Kreiger LLP as Town of Lexington's Counsel, with Mina S. Makarious serving as Town Counsel, for a one-year term to expire March 31, 2027. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda. ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION 1. 2026 Annual Town Meeting Select Board Article Discussion and Positions Ms. Hai stated that the School Committee met last night and their chair presented a potential compromise proposal regarding Article 4, the McKenna Amendment, the goal of which was to reduce both the overall ask and to meet the fiscal parameters of limiting the use of one-time funds to non-salary efforts. This did not receive any votes of support. The School Committee stated their position to look to Town Meeting for an all or nothing, up or down, vote on the McKenna Amendment as proposed. Article 8 Appropriate for Vision for Lexington Survey: Mr. Sandeen updated his position to a wait. Art 27 Kaufman amendment to Parker Amendment: Mr. Sandeen updated his position to a wait. DOCUMENTS: Working Document 2026 ATM Positions Chart EXECUTIVE SESSION 1. Exemption 6: To Consider the Purchase, Lease, Value of Real Property – Silk Fields VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded the Select Board voted 5-0 by roll call at 6:30pm that the Select Board go into Executive Session under Exemption 6: To Consider the Purchase, Lease, Exchange, Value of Real Property - Silk Fields, and to not reconvene in Open Session. Further, it was declared that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Town. ADJOURN VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 from the Executive Session to adjourn both the Executive Session and the Regular Meeting at 7:00p.m. A true record; Attest: Kristan Patenaude Recording Secretary