HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-24-CSCII-minAd Hoc Crematory Study Committee 11
Minutes, Monday, August 24, 2026
Hybrid —Parker Room and Remote via Zoom
5:00-6:15 PM
Date/Time: Meeting called to order at 5:03 p.m.; adjourned at approximately 5:50 p.m.
Location/Format: Hybrid meeting, with in-person participants in the Parker Room and remote
participants via Zoom.
Attendance and Quorum
Archan Basu attended remotely. All other members were present in the room except Rabbi David Lerner,
who had informed the chair in advance that he was unable to attend.
Roll call was conducted, and quorum was confirmed.
Committee Members Present
• Joe Pato (SB Liaison and non-voting Chair pro -tem), Archan Basu (remote), Mike Harris, Jyoti
Puri, Joseph Su, Jillian Tung, Judy Zola
• Absent: Rabbi David Lerner
Liaisons / Guests
• Anil Ahuja — Appropriations Committee
• Dave Pinsonealt — Public Works Director (remote)
1. APPROVAL OF PRIOR MEETING MINUTES
The committee reviewed the minutes from the August 5, 2026 meeting. A motion was made by Judy Zola
to approve the minutes. The minutes were approved unanimously.
2. APPROVE REPORT TO SUBMIT TO SELECT BOARD
A motion was made and seconded to formally record the committee majority recommendation that the
Town of Lexington not move forward with building a crematory facility at Westview, or any location at
Westview at this time. The motion passed 4-2 with Joseph Su, Jillian Tung, Judy Zola, and Mike Harris
voting in favor; Jyoti Puri and Archan Basu voting opposed; and Rabbi Lerner absent. The chair noted that
Rabbi Lerner had previously supported the recommendation in principle but could not be counted in the
formal vote because he was not present.
Judy moved that the committee approve the draft report and submit it to the Select Board, with non -
substantive formatting, typographical, scrivener's -error corrections, and the edits discussed during the
meeting to be made by the chair. The motion passed 6-0.
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3. APPROVE MINUTES OF 8/24/2026 MEETING IN ANTICIPATION OF
COMMITTEE DISSOLUTION
Mike moved to approve the minutes of the August 24 meeting as drafted, with minor modifications
including vote totals and additional elements from the meeting discussion. The motion was seconded and
passed 6-0.
4. ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn was made and seconded. The motion passed 6-0, and the meeting adjourned at 5:50
p.m. The chair thanked members for their service and acknowledged the effort and dedication reflected
in the committee's work.
Minutes submitted by Joseph Pato, chair pro -tem from Zoom session transcript.
Approved 8/24/2026
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Appendix A - Notes from the Zoom session
Review of Final Report to the Select Board
The chair explained that the committee's primary remaining business was to approve the final report for
submission to the Select Board, including the majority report and minority report. The chair noted that
redlined versions had been circulated and that redlines would be removed before final submission.
Agreed Report Edits
• The committee agreed to leave the word "general" in place in the majority report where
discussed.
• The committee agreed that language on documented explosions should refer to explosions
"within the retort," rather than "to the retort."
• The committee agreed to remove Footnote 2 on page 12 of the draft report and to remove the
corresponding footnote marker.
• The committee agreed to replace a reference to named individuals' work on page 32 with a
reference to "the analysis done by the committee."
• The committee agreed that a paragraph previously moved within the majority report would be
returned to the end of the majority report with an appropriate section heading so it would not
be confused with a recommendation.
• The chair stated that he would make only non -substantive edits, including formatting,
typographical, scrivener's -error corrections, and the specific edits discussed during the meeting.
Discussion of Minority Report and Preamble
The committee discussed language in the minority report and related concerns about references to
cremation timing, including the distinction between an ideal or preferred practice and any legal or
regulatory requirement. Members discussed the Massachusetts 48-hour waiting period, possible waivers,
and concerns about ensuring the report did not suggest an intention to circumvent Massachusetts law or
Lexington Board of Health requirements.
The committee also discussed how members' names should appear in the final report. The chair stated
that the final submission would include a preamble identifying committee membership and
acknowledging the committee's work, preceding the majority report. The majority report would not list
individual names. The names on the minority report would remain at the discretion of the minority report
authors. The chair stated that he would circulate his preamble before final submission.
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