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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-15 SB-min SELECT BOARD MEETING Monday, June 15, 2026 A meeting of the Lexington Select Board was called to order at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026, via a hybrid meeting platform. Ms. Hai, Chair; Mr. Pato, Vice Chair; Mr. Lucente, Mr. Sandeen and Ms. Kumar were present, as well as Town Manager, Mr. Bartha; Deputy Town Manager, Ms. Axtell; and Executive Assistant, Ms. Katzenback. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approve: One-Day Liquor License - Wilson Farm, 10 Pleasant Street  Dinner in the Fields: Thursday, June 25, 2026 To approve a One-Day Liquor License for Wilson Farm to serve wine at 10 Pleasant Street on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM. DOCUMENTS: Dinner in the Field Event Map.pdf 2. Approve: Common Victualler License  Commune All Day Cafe - 7 Depot Square This item was held for further discussion. 3. Approve: Town Manager Appointment  Historical Commission - Samantha Richard To confirm the Town Manager's appointment of Samantha Richard as a member of the Historical Commission with a term set to expire September 30, 2028. DOCUMENTS: Historical Commission - Samantha Richard - application_Redacted.pdf VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda Items #1 and #3. 2. Approve: Common Victualler License  Commune All Day Cafe - 7 Depot Square Mr. Pato noted that this looks to grant operations starting at 5am in the Center, which follows changes in the zoning bylaws. He believes it is appropriate to take this outside of the Consent Agenda to note that other locations in the Center currently have licenses starting at 7am and this one will have operations starting at 5am. It is important to make sure that other merchants in the area operating cafes are aware that there has been a change. Ms. Hai agreed that notifications should be given to business owners that they can apply to adapt their existing licenses to expand to the new hours. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 5-0 to approve a Common Victualler License for Commune All Day Cafe, located at 7 Depot Square, Lexington, MA 02420, with on-site manager Smiral Patel, for the hours and days of operation as indicated. ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION 1. Update: Status of Union Contracts Mr. Bartha stated that all the contracts are on a June cycle. In November 2024, the Town was underway with a comp & class study for all its non-union employees. There were five union contracts set to expire the following June. As part of the comp & class study, the Select Board supported establishing a target against benchmark communities of the 75th percentile at total compensation which, in addition to base salary, includes things such as stipends, education incentives, and health insurance. In the 2026 budget, market adjustments were made to bring non-union employees to the 75th percentile of their respective position classes. A key aspect of this approach is distinguishing between cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), which should roughly track inflation, and market adjustments, which help keep total compensation in line with target levels. Of the five contracts that were set to expire on June 30, 2025, four have been settled: Police Superior Officers, LMEA, LMMA, and Crossing Guards. The Fire contract remains unsettled but is working its way through the statutory Joint Labor Management Commission (JLMC) process, as requested by the union. Three contracts are set to expire at the end of this month: Patrol, Dispatch, and Library. However, an agreement was reached last week with the librarians, and the Town is actively engaged in negotiations with patrol and dispatch. The five contracts that settled since November 2024 provided COLAs of 2.5% in FY26 and FY27 and 2% in FY28 and FY29. Most, if not all of these, included targeted market adjustments, when necessary, in line with the Town’s philosophy. These COLAs and adjustments are all reflected in the FY27 budget for settled bargaining units and non- union employees. 2. Discussion & Approval: Riding Through History Art Installations Jillian Tung, Semiquincentennial Commission Member, presented to the Board regarding the future of Riding Through History, Lex250's signature public art exhibit featuring seven uniquely decorated fiberglass horses displayed throughout Lexington Center. Originally approved to remain in place through mid-summer 2026, the exhibit has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from residents and visitors. The request is to consider a proposal to extend the installation period for portions of the collection. Ms. Tung explained that the plan which was endorsed by the Lex 250th Commission calls for keeping or rehoming four of the seven horses and auctioning the remaining three. The proceeds from the sale of those three horses could then be used for the maintenance of the ones being kept and/or to consider establishing a fund for the upkeep of Lexington's monuments and memorials. The Board thanked Ms. Tung for all her efforts into this project over the years. Dawn McKenna, 9 Hancock Street, echoed thanks to Ms. Tung. She expressed some disappointment about the ownership of the horse at the Community Center which may not be seen as well and asked if there could be a way to make this more visible. Ms. Hai noted that there is something symbiotic about having a community art installation at the Community Center. She is not discomforted by having the installation in this location. Mr. Lucente expressed concern regarding the auction portion of the plan. This can be an intense process, as the Town is a public entity. Depending on the cost of the auctioneer, this could require a bid process. The process should not be delayed for too long, especially if the expiration of the HDC approval is in October. He suggested authorizing the Town Manager to sign off on this process. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 5-0 to approve the proposal to extend the installation period for portions of the Riding Through History public art collection as proposed, including relocation of the lantern/illuminated horse to the Community Center with a strong preference of the first choice location, and to authorize the Town Manager to pursue the auction process necessary for disposition of the remaining three. DOCUMENTS: Presentation.pdf; For Reference: Lexington Historical Society Riding Through History License AgreementLicense; Agreement.pdf 3. Discussion: Cannabis Delivery Opt-Out Option Ms. Hai explained that, as the Board discussed at its May 22, 2026 meeting, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) has issued guidance to municipalities regarding cannabis delivery provisions under H.5350, An Act Modernizing the Commonwealth's Cannabis Laws, signed by the Governor and effective April 19, 2026. Under Section 25 of the Act, limited delivery of marijuana and marijuana products is now permitted statewide by default. Municipalities that do not authorize retail Marijuana Establishment licenses within their borders may request a waiver from the Commission to temporarily prohibit delivery within their jurisdiction. Upon initial request, the Commission is required to grant the waiver. The waiver is valid for up to two years and may be extended in two-year increments at the Commission's discretion. Medical marijuana deliveries to patients and caregivers are not subject to municipal opt-out and may continue in all municipalities. The Board’s previous discussion indicated an interest in applying for the waiver now, in order to have time to conduct outreach and determine the best ultimate path. The Town Manager has spoken with the CCC, and they do not see an issue with a subsequent request to release the waiver, prior to the two years, should such a request be made. Mr. Bartha noted that the town of Lincoln submitted a request for a one-year waiver, which was not contemplated in the regulations, but, after a brief discussion with the CCC, it appears this will be favorably received. Mr. Sandeen stated that he does not feel the need for a waiver at all. He stated that he would vote against a temporary waiver with an unlimited timeframe and asked what a reasonable timeframe would be. Mr. Lucente stated that he believes a year is enough time to receive feedback on this. Less than this would be a mistake. Ms. Kumar stated that she would like to take the waiver now and then consider how much time is needed. This is something that the public needs to be engaged in. Mr. Pato agreed that he is comfortable with taking the waiver as offered by the Commission at this time and then determining a date to decide by. He noted that there is easy availability in Lexington, though maybe not through home delivery. Ms. Hai stated that she is not sure the waiver is particularly necessary as many items can be delivered to the home that are all legal and have varying degrees of advisability of use. It is worth hearing input from the community on this topic. VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted by roll call 5-0 to request the Cannabis Control Commission issue a temporary waiver for one year, prohibiting delivery of retail recreational marijuana within Lexington, and further authorize the Town Manager to submit the letter on the Board’s behalf. DOCUMENTS: Bulletin_No._2 An Act Modernizing Commonwealths Cannabis Laws.pdf 4. Work Session - Discussion: Planning for Select Board Retreat Ms. Hai explained that the Board is looking to hold an organizational retreat this summer. The Board discussed potential dates for the retreat. Ms. Hai noted that the Town’s sister city of Antony, France needs a headcount for the trip by June 20, 2026. The trip has no impact on the Town budget, as attendees pay their own way. ADJOURN VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 to adjourn at 7:29pm. A true record; Attest: Kristan Patenaude Recording Secretary