The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2026-01-28-REC-min.pdf Town of Lexington Recreation Committee Frederick DeAngelis, Chairman Tel: (781) 698-4800 Claire Sheth, Vice Chair Fax: (781) 861-2747 Renen Bassik Sean Bridgeo Carl Fantasia Andrea Jackson Weiwei Li Recreation Committee Minutes of Meeting January 28th, 2026 A meeting of the Recreation Committee was held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 from 7:00 PM to 8:42 PM in a hybrid format, with in-person attendance at the Lexington Police Station and remote participation via Zoom, pursuant to the authorization provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Attendance Members Present: Rick DeAngelis, Claire Sheth, Carl Fantasia, Andrea Jackson, Weiwei Li, Renen Bassik Members Absent: Sean Bridgeo Staff Present: Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation & Community Programs Peter Coleman, Assistant Director of Recreation Christine Dean, Community Center Director Public Present: Sam Ang, Meg Buczynski (Activitas), Robert Enders, Pablo Windhausen, Alena A quorum was present. 1. Call to Order and Quorum Confirmation Chair Rick DeAngelis called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and confirmed that a quorum was present. The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format. 2. Outdoor Recreation Athletic Lighting Policy – Second Review and Vote Staff presented the Outdoor Recreation Athletic Lighting Policy for second review, noting that the policy mirrors the format and organization of the recently approved Athletic Field and Court Use Policy. No substantive policy changes were introduced; revisions focused on clarity, formatting, and ease of reference. Staff reviewed the lighting systems in use at Lincoln Park and the Center Recreation Complex, including standard shut-off times, dimming procedures, and safety considerations. Committee members asked clarifying questions regarding operational flexibility, permitted use, and drop-in lighting opportunities. Currently the basketball courts, four tennis courts, and the Track have drop-in hours. During 2026, staff will review permit trends and identify if there are opportunities for offering drop-in hours on the playing fields. 2 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421 Motion: Andrea Jackson moved that “The Recreation Committee approves the Town of Lexington Outdoor Recreation Athletic Lighting Policy as presented this evening.” Seconded by Weiwei Li. Vote: 5–0 approved. 3. Capital Projects – Lincoln Park Field #3 and Maple Street Fields Meg Buczynski of Activitas presented updates on the Lincoln Park Field #3 turf replacement project and the Maple Street Athletic Complex project. For Lincoln Park Field #3, the presentation included proposed field dimensions, spectator accommodations, fencing and netting options, turf materials, infill considerations, cost estimates, and anticipated construction schedule. Committee members and members of the public provided feedback and inquired about Lincoln Field #1 and #2 regarding field hardness, infill materials, injury concerns, padding, and long-term maintenance. Staff and the project team discussed the prior working group process involving sustainability, health, and playability considerations, and noted that no vote was required at this time. Committee members encouraged the public to also share their feedback with the Board of Health and the Sustainability Committee, in addition to the Recreation Committee. For the Maple Street Athletic Complex, the presentation included field layout, lighting, circulation, parking coordination, accessibility features, storage facilities, and anticipated permitting with the Conservation Commission. Committee members discussed spectator access, team area placement, accessibility, parking impacts, and coordination with school and community uses. The Committee asked for a location for portable restrooms to be considered in the design to mirror the Portable Restroom program at various Outdoor Recreation Facilities in Town. No votes were taken. 4. Public Comment No public comments were submitted in advance. Members of the public present had the opportunity to provide input during agenda discussions. 5. LHS Building Project – Update Staff provided an update on coordination with the Lexington High School Building Project design team, including ongoing discussions related to the Skate Park, field layouts, maintenance considerations, and relocation of plaques and memorial elements. Committee members discussed parking impacts near Park Drive and requested additional information regarding parking counts and mitigation strategies. No action was taken. 6. Approval of December 15, 2025, Meeting Minutes Motion: Claire Sheth moved to approve the minutes from the December 15, 2025, Recreation Committee meeting. Seconded by Andrea Jackson. Vote: 6–0 approved. 7. Liaison Reports Committee members reported on recent Community Preservation Committee discussions, noting that the CPC voted unanimously to recommend $2.63 million in CPA funding for Phase II of the Harrington/Maple Street Athletic Complex project, without reduction. No other liaison reports were presented. 8. Recreation & Community Programs Department Report Staff provided departmental updates including:  Capital planning and Town Meeting preparation timelines.  Select Board goals review and anticipated alignment discussions. 3 39 MARRETT ROAD, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02421  Program updates include winter programs, summer registration, chess tournaments, senior golf league activities, and Community Center usage metrics.  Accessibility initiatives, including the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program.  Youth mental health and first aid training funded through opioid settlement funds.  Upcoming registration dates, community meetings, and hiring needs for summer staff. 9. Meeting Dates The Committee discussed upcoming meeting dates and agreed to schedule:  February 24, 2026  March 18, 2026 Calendar invitations will be circulated by staff. 10. Adjournment Motion: Renen Bassik moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Claire Sheth. Vote: 6–0 approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:42 PM. Summary of Motions # Description Moved By Seconded By Vote 1 Approve Town of Lexington Outdoor Recreation Athletic Lighting Policy Andrea Jackson Weiwei Li 5–0 2 Approve minutes from December 15, 2025, Recreation Committee meeting Claire Sheth Andrea Jackson 6–0 3 Adjourn meeting Renen Bassik Claire Sheth 6–0 Respectfully submitted, Melinda Spencer Administrative Manager Attachments  January 28, 2026, Recreation Committee Agenda  Outdoor Recreation Athletic Lighting Memo & Policy  Capital Project Presentation Materials (Lincoln Park Field #3 and Maple Street Athletic Complex)  LHS Building Project Site Design  Memo on Plaques & Memorials at the Center Recreation Complex  Recreation & Community Programs Department January 2026 Report  Hidden Disability Sunflower Program Launch Memo  Seasonal Employee submission  Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee (LBAC) letter regarding bicycle paring at the Center Playground and Skate Park  Select Board 2026-2027 Goals (Attachments on file.)