HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-06 SB-minSELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, July 6, 2026
A meeting of the Lexington Select Board was called to order at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 6, 2026, via a
hybrid meeting platform. Mr. Pato, Chair; Ms. Kumar, Vice Chair; Ms. Hai, Mr. Lucente, and Mr.
Sandeen were present, as well as Town Manager, Mr. Bartha; Deputy Town Manager, Ms. Axtell; and
Executive Clerk, Ms. Katzenback.
EXECUTIVE SESSION A
1. Exemption 3: Collective Bargaining - To Discuss Strategy with Respect to Collective Bargaining
(Library and AFSCME Public Safety Dispatcher Union)
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 at 6:32pm that
the Select Board go into Executive Session under Exemption 3 to discuss strategy with respect to
collective bargaining for the Library & AFSCME Public Safety Dispatchers, and to reconvene in Open
Session. Further, Further, it was declared that an open meeting discussion may have a detrimental effect
on the bargaining and litigating position of the Town.
Returned to open session at 6:54pm
The Board recognized Ms. Hai for her service as Chair over the past year.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Patrick Mehr, 31 Woodcliffe Road, commented on the Town's senior parking sticker renewal process,
questioning why renewals are required and requesting a response to a prior inquiry he had submitted to
the Town Manager. He also expressed concerns regarding the Town Manager's performance and urged
the Select Board to consider his employment.
Mr. Pato noted that he has been cc’d on responses from Mr. Bartha to Mr. Mehr on this topic. If those
were not received, they can be resent.
SELECT BOARD MEMBER CONCERNS AND LIAISON REPORTS
1. Select Board Member Announcements and Liaison Reports
Mr. Pato introduced a new element to the liaison report section of the meeting, such as a briefing
summarizing public comment emails received by the Board since its last meeting.
Ms. Kumar congratulated the Economic Development Office and the Chamber of Commerce for hosting
the soccer watch party, and the excellent way it was executed. Regarding the trash referendum, she stated
that the Board hears the public’s concerns, and she noted that flexibility, ease of adoption, and ensuring
that everyone feels that the program works for them will be important. Lastly, in an update from the
Vision for Lexington, a task force will be formed, and this charter will be brought forward to the Board
on a future agenda.
Mr. Sandeen noted that the Permanent Building Committee is meeting almost every other week, with the
primary focus being the total value design on the high school. A fence is expected to be erected this week
marking the start of the LHS construction project.
DOCUMENTS: 2026-07-06-SB-Email-Report.pdf
2. Lexington High School Project Update to Board
As previously discussed.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
1. Town Manager Weekly Update
Mr. Bartha stated that Ms. Kosnoff was recognized this year as one of 50 professionals in her field across
the country for her excellence in public financial management. He noted that the Assistant Town Manager
for Land Use will be retiring this fall, and the Economic Development Director has been poached to lead
a small nonprofit in Boston. The Board notes its appreciation to these members in their contributions to
the Town.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approve: One-Day Liquor License(s) Spectacle Live, 1605 Massachusetts Ave
Friday, July 10, 2026 - High Kings
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 - Joanne Shaw Taylor
Thursday, August 20, 2026 – Tusk
Saturday, August 29, 2026 - Justin Hayward
To approve four One-Day Liquor Licenses for Spectacle Live to serve beer and wine at Cary Memorial
Building, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue, for their Concert Series on July 10 & August 19, 20, 29th, 2026.
2. Approve: One-Day Liquor License - Lexington-Waltham Lodge of Elks #2204, 959 Waltham
Street
Watch City Cadillac Fundraiser for Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Torch Ride - Friday, July
10, 2026
To approve a One-Day Liquor Licenses for the Lexington-Waltham Lodge of Elks #2204 to serve
alcoholic beverages in the rear parking lot of the Lodge, on Friday, July 10, 2026 from 7:00pm -
11:00pm.
DOCUMENTS: Elks Diagram.png
3. Approve: One-Day Liquor License(s) - Lexington Historical Society, 1 Bedford Street
"Summer Fridays, " Extended Buckman Tavern Hours
To approve two One-Day Liquor Licenses for the Lexington Historical Society to serve beer, wine, and
cider at 1 Bedford Street on the following dates from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM:
o Friday, July 17, 2026
o Friday, July 24, 2026
DOCUMENTS: Summer_Fridays_Event_Layout_Diagram.pdf
4. Approve: Battle Green Use Request - Lexington Semiquincentennial Commission
America250 Reading of the Declaration of Independence - Wednesday, July 8, 2026
To approve the request of the Lexington Semiquincentennial Commission to use the Battle Green, in the
area between the flagpole and Harrington Road, on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM,
with setup beginning at 5:00 PM, for the purpose of hosting the America250 Reading of the Declaration
of Independence.
DOCUMENTS: Lex250 Event Diagram.png
5. Approve: Entertainment License - Association of Black Citizens of Lexington, Visitor Center
Lawn
6th Annual Quock Walker Day Community Celebration - Saturday, July 11, 2026
To approve an Entertainment License for the Association of Black Citizens of Lexington for the 6th
Annual Quock Walker Day Community Celebration on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 2:00
PM on the Visitors Center Lawn, 1875 Massachusetts Avenue, including live performances, recorded
music, and poetry readings.
DOCUMENTS: Quock Walker Event Diagram.png
6. Approve: Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Library Union
To approve and authorize the Town Manager to sign the collective bargaining agreement Memorandum
of Understanding between the Town and the Cary Memorial Library Staff Association for the period of
July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029.
7. Approve: Water and Sewer Adjustments
To approve the Consent.
DOCUMENTS: SB 7-6-26.pdf
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve the Consent
Agenda.
ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
1. Approve: End of Year Budget Adjustments
Rosalyn Impink, Budget Director, presented the end of year budget adjustments.
Dawn McKenna, 9 Hancock Street, stated that the Tourism Revolving Fund had a healthy balance for a
long time. Not having a larger authority has somewhat hamstrung the way they have done business. She
urged the authority to be given for this year.
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to approve the fiscal year
2026 budget adjustments in the general ledger accounts presented, including:
Interdepartmental transfers of:
$8,000 from Human Services - Youth and Family expenses to Human Services Admin -Personal
Services;
$46,500 from Assessor - Contract Services to Comptroller Personal Services,
$39,000 from Land Use Admin and Planning expenses to Land Use Personal Services;
$15,000 from Town Clerk - Elections PT wages to Town Clerk - Elections Expenses;
$58,000 from Innovation & Technology Software Expenses to Innovation and Technology
Personal Services;
$115,912 from Innovation & Technology - Software Expenses to Public Works - Snow Personal
Services;
$15,000 from Public Works Expenses to Public Works - Personal Services;
$110,000 from Fire Department Expenses to Fire Department - Personal Services; and
A transfer of $189,000 from the Town Manager's Salary reserve account to Fire Department Personal
Services; and
An increase in the Tourism Revolving Fund limit of $203,000;
An increase in the Compost Revolving Fund limit of $52,000; and
An increase in the Building Rental Revolving Fund limit of $80,000.
DOCUMENTS: FY2026 Snow Budget Summary_7.2.26.pdf; FY2026 AllBudgetTransfers_7.6.2026
(updated).pdf
2. Update: Adams Street at East Street and at Hancock Street Intersection Design
Ross Morrow, Assistant Town Engineer, presented the proposed design alternatives for the Adams
Street/Hancock Street and Adams Street/East Street Intersection Improvement Projects for the Board's
review and feedback. A neighborhood meeting to discuss both intersection improvement projects is
anticipated to be held in late summer 2026. The Engineering Division will then return to a future Board
meeting to request approval of the preferred intersection designs. This project was initiated in 2018
regarding safety concerns at both intersections and the areas between. A survey engineer provided the full
existing conditions of the areas. In 2023, the project concepts were being considered which have since
been refined.
Mr. Lucente suggested exploring a three-way controlled stop at Adams and East Street. He noted that
both intersections have a pole on the existing islands, Mand he suggested a request to Eversource to move
them.
Ms. Hai suggested that the mini roundabout option could have a shorter list of cons and she would like to
see how this item works with abutters.
Mr. Sandeen stated that he would like to hear staff’s opinion on what the safest option is. Mr. Morrow
stated that from a safety perspective of all users, at Hancock at Adams Street, it would be the three-way
stop, and at Adams/East and Hathaway, it would be creating a four-way stop. Mr. Sandeen supported the
3-Way Mini Roundabout at Adams/East as it provides the most safety via traffic calming without any
land takings. He supported the 3-Way Stop option at Hancock and Adams Street.
Mr. Pato noted that safety for all, including vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and all multimodal access is
important, including the safety of neighbors living adjacent to these areas. Cost is also a factor.
Jay Luker, 26 Rindge Ave, stated that the safest thing is for people to drive less. Any choice that improves
the capacity or throughput of these intersections will inevitably increase the amount of traffic that comes
through them.
Tom Shiple, 18 Phinney Road, noted that the Adams/East intersection has a couple of options that require
land taking. It is unclear how the condominium association in that area would feel about that. If taking a
bit of land meant a much better design, he asked the Board to keep an open mind to do so.
Susan Virgintino, President of the Board of Fiske Common, stated that several of the Fiske Common
residents live right along East Street. Bringing the road closer to those units will affect their quality of life
and possibly reduce the value of those units. She asked that the Board seriously consider this in terms of a
land taking. She stated that she believes a mini roundabout could solve many of the problems in the area.
Dawn McKenna, 9 Hancock Street, stated that conversations should include the Precinct Town Meeting
Member representatives. In terms of rotaries being traffic calming measures, it depends on how one
defines calming. At the intersection of the Battle Green, there has been nonstop beeping from 6am until
later at night. There have also been numerous property damage accidents. She asked that the Town
honestly evaluate the Battle Green rotary prior to imposing this on another neighborhood.
Joan Weinmayr, 49 East Street, stated that the intersection must be improved for safety’s sake. There are
hundreds of students in the nearby schools, and she is concerned with the cars accessing the Adams/East
and Hathaway intersection.
DOCUMENTS: Memo; Presentation - Intersection Improvement project; Intersection Improvements
Comparison Table
3. Approve: Temporary Bike Lanes & Green Paint on Massachusetts Avenue - Between Bow Street
& Maple Street
Mr. Morrow explained that the Board previously authorized temporary on-street bike lanes, including
green high visibility markings, along Massachusetts Avenue from Bow Street to Maple Street, as part of
an MWRA project detouring bicyclists during a bikeway closure. With MWRA work nearing completion,
its permit requires restoring the roadway to its prior condition, which would mean grinding out the bike
lanes and green paint and restriping. At the June 8, 2026 meeting, a request was presented to the Board to
retain the current configuration temporarily. The Board asked staff to return with more information on
impacts to directly affected properties, including commercial abutters. Flyers were sent out to all abutters
along the area with a survey on the proposal. Of all the abutters, he received feedback from one business
in support and two abutters in support; one business against, and two abutters against. There were nine
responses in support, and three against. The reasons against included that the green was an eyesore in the
area, fear of hitting a cyclist while opening doors in the parallel parking area, and difficulty in seeing
cyclists in the bike lane when leaving a business property. Of those in favor, some noted that the bike
lanes draw attention to where a bike can safely be, and that the green paint adds to the visual warning of
drivers.
Ms. Hai stated that she is in favor of leaving these items in place, as staff has mentioned that it continues
to improve safety in the area.
Dawn McKenna, 9 Hancock Street, stated that there has been very little feedback on this item and the
Board would have heard from the public if they were against the bike lane. She believes no paint should
be added without discussion with the HDC and whether this is a safety color or not.
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to authorize retention of the
current temporary bike lane configuration and associated pavement markings on Massachusetts Avenue
between Bow Street and Maple Street as an interim treatment, to remain in place until the next scheduled
resurfacing of this corridor or until further action by the Board.
DOCUMENTS: Memo presented at 6-8-2026 Meeting; LBAC Letter Green Bike Lanes Mass Ave July
2026.pdf
The Board took a three-minute recess.
4. Approve: Amendment to Chapter 192 Traffic Rules and Orders
4-Way Stop Sign Intersection at Forest Street/Clarke Street
4-Way Stop Sign Intersection at Forest Street/Muzzey Street
Parking Restrictions on Parker Street
Meghan Roche, Assistant Planning Director, reviewed the proposals for the 4-Way Stop Sign Intersection
at Forest Street/Clarke Street, and the 4-Way Stop Sign Intersection at Forest Street/Muzzey Street. The
Transportation Safety Group recommends that the Board vote to amend the Traffic Rules and Orders,
Chapter 192-10, Schedule 7, establishing All-Way Stop Control (AWSC) at two intersections on Forest
Street: Forest Street at Clarke Street and Forest Street at Muzzey Street. Both intersections are located in a
predominantly residential neighborhood with high volumes of pedestrian and bicycle traffic and are in
close proximity to Lexington High School and the Center Recreation Complex. An analysis finds that an
All-Way Stop Control (AWSC) is warranted at the intersection of Forest Street and Muzzey Street and
potentially warranted at the intersection of Forest Street and Clarke Street.
Mr. Lucente stated that he believes the Town needs to consider a long-term plan for Clark Street as it
relates to the parking lane and the two lanes of traffic. He supports the recommendations but would like to
be considerate of potential future changes.
Ms. Hai asked that advanced warning signage be considered for these intersections.
Mr. Sandeen noted that he is in favor of infrastructure over signage, as much as possible. Mr. Morrow
noted that some removal of vegetation in the areas, if there can be coordination with abutters, would be
helpful for sight lines.
Ms. Roche stated that, secondly, regarding parking restrictions on Parker Street, the Transportation Safety
Group recommends that the Board vote to amend the Traffic Rules and Orders, Chapter 192-18, Schedule
1, "Parking Prohibited or Restricted," to add the following parking restrictions on Parker Street:
No parking would be permitted on the northeast side of Parker Street between Clarke Street and
Jackson Court from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM, Monday through Friday.
No parking would be permitted on the southwest side of Parker Street between Jackson Court and
the shared property line of 15 and 17 Parker Street from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM, Monday through
Friday.
No parking would be permitted on the northeast side of Parker Street between the driveway of 16
Parker Street and Massachusetts Avenue, :00 AM to 10:00 AM, Monday through Friday.
Mr. Pato noted that this was a large discussion with abutters in terms of the high school project. There
was concern regarding speeding and too much parking, but also that parking on both sides of the street
narrows the throughway, potentially leading to issues with emergency vehicles being able to pass.
There was discussion regarding what would happen after 10AM, to which Mr. Roche explained that the
standard parking rules would then apply. Ms. Hai asked about afternoon dismissal times in terms of
continued safety.
Ms. Kumar asked why there are so many cars parking in this residential area. Mr. Morrow stated that it
appears this is high school parking.
Dawn McKenna, 9 Hancock Street, stated that other people who use this parking include those visiting
the playground, tennis courts, and recreation fields. She asked what the plans are during the high school
construction if the Town continues to restrict surrounding. parking
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to amend the Traffic Rules
and Orders, Chapter 192-10, Schedule 7, establishing All-Way Stop Control (AWSC) at two intersections
on Forest Street: Forest Street at Clarke Street and Forest Street at 80 Muzzey Street.
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board voted 5-0 to amend the Traffic Rules
and Orders, Chapter 192-18, Schedule 1, "Parking Prohibited or Restricted," to add:
No parking would be permitted on the northeast side of Parker Street between Clarke Street and
Jackson Court from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM, Monday through Friday.
No parking would be permitted on the southwest side of Parker Street between Jackson Court and
the shared property line of 15 and 17 Parker Street from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM, Monday through
Friday.
No parking would be permitted on the northeast side of Parker Street between the driveway of 16
Parker Street and Massachusetts Avenue, :00 AM to 10:00 AM, Monday through Friday.
DOCUMENTS: Forest-Muzzey Clarke Memo- All Way Stop Intersections; TEC Engineering Group
Analysis Report Forest-Muzzey; TEC Engineering Group Analysis ReportForest-Clarke; Parker Street
Memo – parking_7.6.26.pdf; Parker St Proposed Parking Graphics_7.6.26.pdf
5. Continued Discussion: Select Board Committee Liaison Assignments
The Board reviewed the proposed allocation of liaisons and made a few amendments. The Committee
assignments are effective as of tonight. Mr. Pato noted that the second member for the Fund for
Lexington Board appointment will be brought to the next meeting, and staff will check with Town
Counsel on whether an interim appointment is appropriate for the Housing Trust.
DOCUMENTS: Proposed Liaison-Assignments
6. Discussion: Select Board Report for FY2026 Annual Town Report
The Board reviewed the Board Report FY2026 Annual Town Report, including topics and Board member
assignments.
DOCUMENTS: FY2025 Annual Report - Select Board Report; Select Board Report to 2026 ATM
EXECUTIVE SESSION B
1. Exemption 2: To Conduct Strategy Session in Preparation for Contract Renewal Discussions with
Nonunion Personnel - Town Manager
VOTE: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call, the Select Board voted 5-0 at 9:40pm that
the Select Board go into Executive Session under Exemption 2: To Conduct Strategy Session in
Preparation for Contract Negotiations with Nonunion Personnel - Town Manager and not to reconvene in
Open Session. Further, it was declared that an open meeting discussion 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 10:12p.m.
A true record; Attest:
Kristan Patenaude
Recording Secretary