HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-14-LCC-min.pdfPage 1 of 4
Town of Lexington
Lexington Center Committee
Submitted by Kat MacDonald
Minutes for the meeting held on Thursday, May 14, 2026 beginning at 8:30 am in the Parker
Room, Town OCice Building, Lexington, Massachusetts
Members present: Upasna Chhabra, Mike Harris, Katherine Huang, Stephen Jackson,
JeCrey Lyon, Kat MacDonald, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (Chair), Danit Netzer, Jon
Wakelin
Liaisons present: Jay Abdella, EDC; Capt. Christopher Barry, LPD; Michael Boudett, CEC;
Doug Lucente, Select Board; Sandhya Iyer, EDD; Tina McBride, Planning Board; Olivia
Kelley, Lexington Chamber of Commerce
Guests present: Sona Atonyan, Russian School of Math; Pam Lyons; Carol Sacerdote;
Manasi Singhal, Russian School of Math
===================================
DPW Update
• Jerry gave updates on the status of some outstanding DPW issues.
o The kiosk will be installed in the next 2 weeks.
o An outside contractor will assess the state of the brick sidewalks and suggest
necessary repairs in the next few weeks.
o Weekend trash pickup has begun and will continue through the season.
o Members suggested cleaning the trash barrels. They were removed for
Patriots Day and replaced without them being cleaned.
Economic Development Update
Business Updates:
• Galaray House is moving to Boston. There are limitations on businesses in the
Lexington Place building based on condo limitations.
• 7 Depot Square will become a restaurant with 30-40 indoor seats. Owners are going
to ZBA tonight seeking a parking waiver. Owners also run Turnpike Café in Billerica.
• Signature Stationers/Wales Copy Building
o Owners intend to renovate the building.
o No MultiFamily zoning freeze secured so limited to CB zoning (2 stories)
unless they pursue Planned District similar to Lexington Place.
Page 2 of 4
o Plan is to renovate spaces separately. Owners report they are close to
signing with tenants in both locations.
• Webster Bank (31 Waltham St) looking to be converted to restaurant use. Parking
waiver would be required from ZBA.
• Giroux Buiding (1833-1853 Mass Ave)
o Owners still working with Eversource to upgrade electrical capacity. Current
interest is in the Abbott’s space.
Wayfinding Signs to be installed in the next few weeks.
Upcoming Programs:
• Discovery Day – 5/23/26 10:00-3:00
o Over 100 businesses and vendors participate
o Volunteers are needed starting at 8a.
• FIFA Watch Parties
o FIFA is in the US June 16-26. Games are between 2:00 and 9:00 with 2 games
per day.
o Lexington received $25,000 from Comm of Mass to sponsor watch parties
o Sandhya represented Lexington on several news stations talking about
upcoming watch parties in towns and cities throughout MA.
o FIFA has not yet issued the required licenses. Only 2 licenses have been
issued to date.
o Lexington (and 17 other venues) expect licenses to be issued.
o Very tight timing to get everything in place (Jumbotron, Port-a-Potties) but
moving forward as-if licenses will come through.
o Expect 3-4 food trucks as well as a Beer Garden through Craft Food Hall.
o Volunteers are needed. Information on volunteering is on the Chamber of
Commerce Website.
Parklet
• Post 1917 is very interested. No other businesses have expressed interest yet.
• Location must be approved by the Select Board. Targeted installation is end of May.
Next Select Board meeting is 5/22.
• Parklet requires about 3 parking spaces so losing those is a consideration.
• Any business could purchase a parklet and apply for a permit to place it in front of
their business. Approximate cost is $75,000-$80,000.
Page 3 of 4
• Reminder that the Parklet started about 15 years ago, before the Streetscape
Project. Parklet pre-dates the existing scattered seating areas on the brick
sidewalks.
Russian School of Math
o Manasi Singhal and Sona Antonyan presented information about the RSM in
advance of opening their new location in Depot Square.
o The current RSM location is being split between Depot Square and a location in
Bedford, which will be the 16th location in MA.
o Extensive education is being done with the parents to assure minimal parking and
traCic issues.
o Approximately 800 students; 100 per day in 2 waves of classes weekdays with 4
classes per day on each weekend day. 5:45-6:15 is the busiest time.
o RSM is requesting additional 15 minute parking spots nearby the building.
o RSM is also considering requesting a bus from the Community Center.
o Committee members appreciated the coordinated, organized outreach RSM is
making to parents.
Update on E-bikes and Bike Riding on Sidewalks in Center
o Bike Advisory Group intends to have a presence in Center on school half-days to
remind riders to walk their bikes on sidewalks.
o There is conversation about installing a bike parklet on Waltham St near Omar’s.
Parking and Circulation Subcommittee Update
o Scope of Work tightened after Meghan, Jay, Innessa and Upasna did a site walk of the
area with a consultant
o Jay will apply for grant – One Stop Community Grant - next week. Response to grant
request expected in the fall with money to follow in January. This would allow a
consultant to be hired by late spring 2027 with work being finished I 2028.
o Meghan Roche is leading the initiative for bike connectivity to the LHS project.
16 Clarke Street Development Update
Page 4 of 4
o Project was presented at last month’s Planning Board meeting. The Planning Board
made a site visit.
o Plan includes planting screening trees on library property.
o No traCic study is required.
o One way in and out of Clarke Street Project.
o
Liaison Updates
CEC continues with Financial Summits (Mike Boudett)
Lexington Center Committee voted to accept the minutes of the February, March and
April 2026 meetings as written.
Meeting adjourned 9:50
Next Meeting: June 11th 8:30-10:00