HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-06-SB-ATM-rpt SELECT BOARD
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
REPORT
REPORT TO THE
2020 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Voted April 6, 2020
Select Board:
Douglas M. Lucente, Chair,Jill I. Hai,Vice-Chair,
Joseph N. Pato, Suzanne E. Barry, Mark D. Sandeen
Kim Katzenback, Executive Clerk
Table of Contents
Message from the Select Board Page 1
Select Board Goals January 2020 - December 2021 Page 2
Article 42 ATM 2018-Special Permit Residential Development (SPRD)
Referral to the Select Board Page 3
Hartwell Avenue Zoning Initiative Page 4
Fiscal Guideline Recommendations Page 5
Affordability for the Residents Page 6
Progress towards Sustainable Action Plan Page 7
Semiquincentennial Celebration of the Battle of Lexington Page 8
Center Streetscape Update Page 9
Municipal &School Building Projects Page 9
Message from the Select Board April 2020
The Select Board has prepared this written report to Annual Town Meeting 2020 under Article 2. This
report contains an update to Town Meeting on the status of several topics the Board felt would be of
interest to Town Meeting Members.These topics include: Select Board Goals for January 2020-December
2021, an update on Article 42-Special Permit Residential Development zoning that was referred back to
the Board at Annual Town Meeting 2018,the current status of the Hartwell Avenue Zoning Initiative,the
current status of addressing Affordability for the Residents, an overview of the Fiscal Policies addressed
this past year, the current status of Municipal and School Building Projects, the upcoming
Semiquincentennial Celebration of the Battle of Lexington, and the progress toward Lexington's
Sustainable Action Plan.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding this report, the Board encourages you to get in
touch with any member of the Board via email: SelectBoard@lexingtonma.gov or by calling the Select
Board Office (781-698-4580) to schedule an in-person meeting. All five members of the Board hold
regularly scheduled office hours in the Select Board Office at Town Office Building (unless otherwise
noted) as follows:
• Doug Lucente, Chair:
Friday 9:00-10:00 am dlucente@lexingtonma.gov
• Jill Hai,Vice-Chair:
Wednesday 2:00-3:00 pm jhai@lexingionma.gov
• Joe Pato:
Wednesday 10:00-11:00 am&Wednesday 2:00-3:00 pm at the Community Center
tpato@lexin onma. og_v
• Suzie Barry:
Thursday 4:00-5:00 pm sbarry@lexingtonma.gov
og_v
• Mark Sandeen:
Tuesday 3:00-4:00 pm msandeen@lexin onma. og_v
Respectfully submitted,
Lexington Select Board
Douglas M. Lucente, Chair
Jill I. Hai, Vice-Chair
Joseph N. Pato
Suzanne E. Barry
Mark D. Sandeen
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Select Board Goals January 2020 - December 2021
Each year following the Annual Town Meeting, the Select Board meets to discuss their goals for the
upcoming year and to establish and confirm the guiding principles as a means of informing staff and to
help guide the annual budget process. This past year the goal setting process was facilitated by a
professional strategic planning consultant, utilizing a two phase approach. During the first phase,
information gathering,facilitated meetings were held with individual Board members,Management Staff,
and leadership of the various Boards and Committees to gather input on the Town's priorities, strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. As leaders of the Lexington community, participants had an
opportunity to answer the question: "What should the goals be for the Town of Lexington?" The
information gathered from these sessions were compiled into a report by the consultant and provided to
the Select Board for consideration. The second phase was an offsite goal setting retreat, during which the
Board held an open and constructive dialogue where we shared and generated new ideas which drove the
development of our "Strategic Objectives". The Board received a final report of our goals and
recommendations.
The Board identified two Top Priorities:
1) Thriving Local Economy. This will be accomplished by creating a more predictable framework
for the permitting processes,including a redesign of the business resource guide,creating a one-stop shop
for all pre-permitting review through the Design Review Team, and training for all
Development/Permitting Boards. Further, the Board seeks to engage in community conversations to
further define what attractive and vibrant would look like for Lexington,and to work with businesses and
property owners of all sizes to develop creative and integrated solutions.
2) Livability for All Ages and Stages. This will be accomplished through the development of
effective transportation solutions including identifying opportunities for regionalization, first/last mile
service,and improved bike lanes.Further,the Board will review residential zoning for ways to create new
housing opportunities and protect the diversity of our existing housing stock.
The Board identified four High Priorities:
1) Quality Infrastructure, Amenities, and Municipal Services. This goal seeks to ensure that
Committees are reflective of the residential makeup of the community. The Board will review the
charges for all Town committees, and will modify and update as appropriate to reflect Board
priorities while seeking to create expanded opportunities for resident participation.
2) Community Character. This goal seeks to create and communicate a pian for broadening
diversity,equity and inclusion for Town staff, as well as our committees.
3)Town-wide Fiscal Stewardship.This goal seeks to limit the rate of property tax increases,review
home rule petition opportunities to address the issue of tax deferrals, and to take action on
development of a means-tested and/or age-based residential exemption.
4) Develop a Capital Master Plan. This goal seeks to encompass all capital items (infrastructure,
buildings,etc.) and incorporates them with the School's Master Plan.
Lastly,the Board identified three Other Priorities:
1) Implement the sustainable action pian and getting to net zero emissions pian.
2) Prepare for the Semiquincentennial celebration of the Battle of Lexington (Lex250).
3) Two-way communication tools between residents and town departments.
For further details on each of the Select Board Goals, please visit our website at:
Iirttww.f��xinf,tonn� .Dov/ elect-roa��l
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Article 42 ATM 2018-Special Permit Residential Development (SPRD)
Referral to the Select Board
ATM 2018 referred Article 42, a citizen's article to revise the Special Permit Residential Development
(SPRD) Bylaw,back to the Select Board for further evaluation and work. The Board allocated funds in its
FY19 budget to cover the costs of a facilitator for the SPRD committee and a consultant to draft any bylaw
or regulation revisions. These funds were originally granted through the TIF agreement with Shire,which
provided contributions over 10 years,to be used at the Board's direction.
The committee charge approved by the Select Board, as well as meeting minutes and presentations are
available at: https://www.lexini.atonma.gov/st)ecial-L)ermit-residential-develoL)ment-zoning law-
amendment-committee-ad-hoc
The appointed members of the Ad-Hoc SPRD Committee are:
• Jill Hai
• Richard Canale
• Scott Cooper
• Matt Daggett
• Heather Hartshorn
• Joyce Murphy
• Richard Perry
• Taylor Singh
• Betsey Weiss
The Committee held 14 meetings between December 2018 and October 2019. These meetings were filmed
by LexMedia and available for viewing OnDemand. The committee examined the existing bylaw,projects
produced since its inception, and reviewed the intent of the bylaw. It also reviewed the Town's Housing
Production Plan and its goals. Two public listening sessions were held on April 23 and 25,2019 as well as
several sessions learning about existing and best practices in Lexington and other communities. The
committee also received presentations on inclusionary zoning and affordable housing. Presenters to the
Committee included:
Carol Kowalski,Asst.Town Manager,Development Victoria Buckley,Lexington Commission on Disability
Katy Lacy,Massachusetts Housing Partnership J otsna Kakullavara u,Lexington Council on Aging
Gary Larsen,Landscape Architect Anthony Serio,Lexington Assistant Director Youth and
Family Services
John Farrington,Attorney Hemali Shah, Lexington Assistant Director Senior
Services
Richard Waitt,Engineer Melinda Walker, Lexington Housing Partnership
Board
David Jay,Landscape Architect Alex Dohan,Lexington Conservation Commission
Jim Kelley,Lexington Building Commissioner Bob Creech,Planning Board member,participating as a
resident
Sheila Page,Lexington Assistant Planning Director Charles Hornig,Planning Board member,participating
as a resident
The Committee created a comprehensive statement covering the goals it believes the Town can aspire to
achieve with the SPRD bylaw. This statement forms the basis of the work to be done by the zoning
consultant who has been engaged to revise or replace the existing SPRD bylaw in order to create the
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necessary incentives to increase production of the housing stock Lexington desires. The statement reflects
an increased focus on sustainability and accessibility
The statement reads as follows:
Lexington seeks to encourage greater diversity of housing opportunities to meet the needs of a diverse population
with respect to income,ability,accessibility needs, number of persons in a household and stage of life. Lexington seeks
to fulfill this goal while preserving its cultural and historical values and promoting growth that is sustainable and
sensitive to the natural environment.
Lexington is mindful of supporting development that preserves historically or architecturally significant buildings
and landscape. The Town recognizes that not all of these values can be applied to all sites but is committed to
evaluating each site as an opportunity to contribute to serving and promoting these values Town wide
The zoning consultant the Town has engaged is Ted Brovitz of Brovitz Community Planning and Design.
Mr. Brovitz has been working with the Town on the Hartwell Ave re-zoning initiative and is therefore
already familiar with the Town, the zoning code, the Planning Department and Planning Board and the
general community dynamics. The committee will be meeting with the consultant at the end of March to
outline the next phase of the work,which will include community input as well as research and drafting.
It is expected whatever proposals the committee accepts will then be put to robust community outreach
with a goal of having proposals ready to be brought to a Fall Special Town Meeting 2020.
Hartwell Avenue Zoning Initiative
The Select Board continues to explore strategies with respect to economic development and zoning
initiatives in the north section of Hartwell Avenue.
In 2018 the Town hired an urban design team and a real estate analyst to help develop a conceptual vision
with planning strategies for the Hartwell North area. Members of the Select Board, Planning Board,
Economic Development Advisory Committee and the State Secretary of Housing and Economic
development met with area property owners on September 5, 2019 to discuss opportunities for
maximizing the development opportunities in this corridor. The results of these meetings as well as the
reports from the engagements reported above can been viewed on the Town's website
https://www.lexingtot a.gov/economic-development/L)ages/consultant-information
Hartwell Zoning IY�itiative: vision and Market��ortunities, March 8, 2018
2018 Memorandum, Stantec Preliminary Trans sortation Im�sacts
Hartwell Zoninia Initiative: Urban Design&Market Context Presentation,December 18, 2017
• Real Estate Analysis Scope of Work
Architecture / Desigri Scope of Work
Following the receipt of these analyses,the Town hired Ted Brovitz of Brovitz Community Planning and
Design to work with staff and property owners to craft new zoning for Hartwell. Mr. Brovitz's
presentations to the Hartwell Ave property owners and stake holders on September 5,2019 and to the joint
Board of Selectmen,Planning Board and Economic Development Advisory Committee on October 24,2019
reflecting his proposals are also available at the above link.
Traffic issues in the Hartwell Avenue area are one of the key concerns cited by residents and business
owners. The state maintains a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) list which contains all
transportation related infrastructure projects slated to receive state and federal funding. In order stay on
the TIP list, and potentially advance in the queue for TIP funding, a project must first have a 25% design,
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the cost of which is borne by the local municipality. For this reason the Town therefore requested 2019
Special Town Meeting approval of funding to develop the 25% design "for a major transportation
improvement project to include minor improvements on Wood Street, four travel lanes in most of the
project corridor, a sidewalk or multi-modal path and bike lanes on both sides of the roadways; raised
center medians;safe pedestrian accommodations and crossings;and reconstruction of major intersections:
Bedford Street and Hartwell Avenue intersection as well the intersection of the on and off ramps to I-95".
With continued growth at Hanscom Air Force Base and Lincoln Labs,the Town will pursue all available
options for financing any traffic improvements at both the State and Federal level with a goal of funding
construction through external resources. The Town is already working with our state and federal
delegation to this end.
Fiscal Guideline Recommendations
Financial summits were held with the Board of Selectmen, Capital Expenditures Committee,
Appropriation Committee and School Committee in May and October 2019 to review tax and budget
policies. These summits resulted in a set of draft financial guidelines setting forth overall principles and
goals for fiscal planning and management.These guidelines address both current activities and long-term
planning and are intended to be advisory in nature and serve as a point of reference for the Select Board,
Appropriation Committee, Capital Expenditures Committee and School Committee as well as
management staff. It is fully understood that Town Meeting retains the full right to appropriate funds and
incur debt at levels it deems appropriate, subject to statutory limits such as Proposition 21/2.
The principles outlined in these guidelines are designed to ensure the Town's sound financial condition
now and in the future. Sound Financial Condition may be defined as:
• Cash Solvency-the ability to pay bilis in a timely fashion.
• Budgetary Solvency-the ability to balance the budget annually.
• Long-Term Solvency-the ability to pay future costs.
• Service Level Solvency-the ability to provide needed and desired services.
It is equally important that the Town maintain flexibility in its finances to ensure that the Town can react
and respond to changes in the economy and new service challenges without appreciable financial stress.
As much as possible,these guideline recommendations have been put into practice for the FY21 proposed
budget.
Guideline Recommendations
• Financial forecasting: Use a 5-year horizon so policy makers can determine priorities and assess
the community impact of decisions and to provide staff the ability to focus their priorities to fit into
a balanced budget.
• Free Cash:Phase in the elimination of free cash to supplement the operating revenues in a phased
manner - operating revenues should support operating expenditures and one-time sources such
as free cash should not be used for this purpose.
• Fiscal Reserves:The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recommends a minimum
of 2 months (16.67%) of General Fund operating revenues as a reserve. The Town should strive to
maintain this as a minimum. When Free Cash and total Stabilization are accounted for,Lexington
exceeds the GFOA Best Practice recommendation.
• Capital Budgeting: In Lexington Capital Budgeting has two components. The first is
"programmatic capital' which includes those items that are budgeted every year on an ongoing
basis to replace and maintain existing capital. This should be budgeted with an inflationary index
based on the Boston Consumer Price Index (CPI). The second component consists of one-time
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capital items that need to be considered on a prioritized basis, sorted so that the highest priorities
requests are funded annually within the recommended amount of 1.0%to 1.5% of the General Fund
Operating Budget per year.
• Pension Funding: The current funding schedule projects that the retirement system will be fully
funded in FY24. It is recommended to continue the funding schedule, including any adjustments
to ensure the retirement system reaches full funding in FY24.
• Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB): In 2014 the Select Board adopted a policy under the
former standards to fund OPEB liabilities at between 35% and 100% of the"Normal Cost". In 2015
the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) adopted new standards (#74 & #75) that
replaced standards #43 and #45 and "Normal Cost" has been replaced with "Service Cost". The
Town should continue funding at the previous level (35% - 100%) of the service cost (as opposed
to the normal cost) and by adding $50,000 per year to continue moving toward 100% in order to
meet the long-term OPEB liabilities and to ensure the Towns bond rating remains strong.Utilizing
the last actuarial study', the Town has set aside 8% of its total OPEB liability and the FY20
contribution was 42% of the service cost.
• Taxing to the levy limit:Lexington has had a practice of taxing to the full amount allowable under
the Proposition 21h levy limit.Knowing that there is a near-future large capital project for Lexington
High School, the recommended practice is to continue to tax to the levy limit and to increase the
amount being transferred into the Capital Stabilization Fund. It is recommended that this be part
of the Revenue Allocation Model and budgeted in a planned manner to grow the amount being
appropriated each year until the first year of debt service is due on the high school at which time
it is recommended the amount previously being appropriated to the Capital Stabilization Fund be
reduced to zero to offset the higher debt service level in the General Fund.
• Personal Property:Last year there was discussion regarding the impact of personal property new
growth, which gets amortized and spread out among the other classes of property (residential,
commercial and industrial) over a period of years and whether there was a method to address this
issue. Given the recommendation above related to taxing to the full amount allowable under
Proposition 21h and that the personal property new growth is included as part of the Proposition
21h calculation it is not recommended at this time to further address this issue.
• Within levy debt service: - The past practice has been to manage the growth of within levy debt
service to 5% over the previous year,which does not appear to be sustainable. It is recommended
that changes in practices that reduce the reliance on Free Cash for balancing the operating budget
and funding the OPEB liability will allow for greater use of Free Cash for smaller capital purchases
with shorter life spans that can be purchased as cash capital instead of issuing debt. GFOA's best
practices recommends a comprehensive debt management policy be adopted by the governing
body that includes statutory limits as well as local limits placed on debt. It is recommended that
during the next year a comprehensive policy be drafted based on the criteria recommended by
GFOA, other best practices and the needs of the Lexington community.
Affordability for the Residents
The Select Board has adopted a goal to limit the rate of property tax increase. To this end our aim is to:
1. Not have a Proposition 21h operating override.
2. Keep total average residential property tax increase spikes at or below 5%.
3. Provide tax relief programs to reduce the burden on seniors and other vulnerable populations.
t The Town conducts an actuarial study every two years.The most recent study used for this report was conducted in January of 2018 and
reported on the June 30,2017 actuarial value of Lexington's Post Retirement Benefits Plan.The study reporting on the June 30,2019
actuarial value is in process.
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4. Better communicate with residents about town finances and taxes.
Status:
1. Operating Overrides
No operating budget override has been requested since June 2007 for FY2008.
2. Residential property tax spike
The average single-family residential property tax increase for FY2020 is 3.8%.
3. Tax relief programs
The Board created the Ad Hoc Residential Exemption Policy Study Committee in January 2018 with the
task of making policy recommendations related to adopting the Residential Exemption as allowed by state
law.The Board expanded the charge to include making recommendations on other approaches to provide
tax relief programs for residents.
In May 2019 the Ad Hoc committee presented its recommendations to the Board:
https://www.lexingtonma.gov/sites/lexingtonma/files/pages/2019_residential exeM-)tion report v1.
O.�sdf
Of the eight recommendations proposed,The Board acted on the following three:
Recommendation#1: The Board agreed to not adopt the Massachusetts Residential Exemption.
Recommendation #3: The Board has requested that the Public Information Officer increase awareness of
existing tax deferral programs. Information has been circulated in tax mailings,on the Town web site,and
in communications with seniors.
Recommendation #4: Two Warrant Articles of the 2020 Annual Town Meeting (ATM) aim to make the
existing tax deferral program more accessible and appealing to residents. 2020 ATM Warrant article 6
proposes to increase eligibility thresholds for the Lexington Property Tax Deferral Program as
recommended.2020 ATM Warrant article 7 proposes to request a home-rule petition to provide a one-year
delay in the interest rate increase paid by the estate after the death of the tax deferral applicant.
The Board will continue to review the remaining recommendations for potential action.
4. Better Communications
The Town Manager and Finance Department will develop easy to understand informational pieces during
2020 and will work with the Public Information Officer to communicate to residents through Town
Meeting, a community conversation, online,mail and/or LexMedia.
Progress towards Sustainable Action Plan
The Select Board adopted Lexington's Sustainable Action Plan and Getting to Net Zero Emissions Plan in
August of 2018.The Sustainable Action Plan defines a framework for prioritizing the Town's sustainability
actions in ten sectors, Health, Safety, Buildings, Energy, Water, Transportation, Food, Toxics & Waste,
Environment, and Economy.
Lexington has made excellent progress on many of these sectors in the past year. In October 2019, the
Select Board and the School Committee both adopted the Integrated Design and Construction Policy to set
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high performance standards for health,indoor air quality,elimination of toxic materials,energy efficiency,
all-electric heating systems, all while maximizing the amount of onsite solar energy generation and
lowering total cost of ownership.
Lexington Children s Place and Hastings School will be among the first net zero school buildings in the
state, producing more solar energy onsite than they use over the course of the year. Lexington's Fire
Station, and Visitor Center have also been designed as high performance, all-electric buildings with
excellent indoor air quality. The Police Station is expected to be the first municipal building designed
under the newly adopted Integrated Design and Construction Policy. The Select Board and the School
Committee have approved the installation of solar canopies at 7 schools including Lexington Children s
Place and Hastings School, which will bring our solar generation up to 65% of the Town's electricity
consumption. It is expected that the solar canopy installations will be complete by the end of calendar year
2020.
The Town of Lexington's Community Choice aggregation program has provided 100% renewable
electricity to over 10,000 customers while lowering electricity bills over $3 million since the programs
inception in July 2017. The Town of Lexington has also switched to 100% renewable electricity.
Lexington is also expanding the number of electric vehicle charging spots in the center of town from 3
charging spots to 13 charging spots thanks to funding from Eversource to cover all the infrastructure costs
and a grant from the state to cover the cost of the electric vehicle charging stations. At the time this report
was written, there are 9 electric vehicle charging spots operating in the center, with the remaining 4
charging spots expected to be operating later this spring.
Lexington's fee based curbside composting pickup program is expanding rapidly, reducing both the
Town's emissions and the cost of trash pickup.Lexington's highly successful school composting programs
are expanding, with the Board of Health's support, to include running a food rescue pilot program at
Diamond Middle School.
In 2019 the Town developed a comprehensive Hazard Mitigation Plan based on extensive stakeholder
participation from town staff,town committees, and local community organizations, as part of the state's
Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program. MVP communities can qualify to receive up to $2
million in grants for projects that help communities adapt to vulnerabilities related to climate change.
Lexington also received a $135K Green Communities grant to weatherize Harrington, Bowman, and
Bridge schools and install LED lighting at Harrington and Fiske schools. These energy efficiency measures
are expected to save the Town over $40,000 a year in energy costs.
Lexington is in the process of hiring a Sustainability Director to guide the Town in its implementation of
the Sustainable Action Plan and the Getting to Net Zero Emissions Plan as a result of funding from the
2019 Special Town Meeting(STM)
2025: The 2501h Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington
In anticipation of the 250tH Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington in year 2025, the Select Board recently
established the Semiquincentennial Commission(Lex250) as the official Town entity dedicated to helping
the Town of Lexington plan events. The Commission was charged with making recommendations and
coordinating the Town-wide activities and other historical events related to the founding of our Country
and to further the coordination of the Towns events with local, state,regional and federal events. As part
of its study and investigation, the Commission shall develop a comprehensive pian for celebrating and
promoting the 250tt1,Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington which will include: Identifying funding needs;
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Identifying potential sources of funding including but not limited to: Commemorative Memorabilia,
Public/Private Partnerships, Gifts and Grants (private, State and/or Federal); Identifying opportunities
for individuals or organizations to participate in celebrations with a commitment to diversity,
inclusiveness, and opportunity at all levels and activities; Investigating opportunities for a possible
permanent memorial, Consider transportation-related issues; Consider marketing and communications
strategy; Determine what sub-committees or additional staffing requirements (event planning) may be
necessary and seek proper approval from the Select Board and update the Select Board at least quarterly.
Recruitment for membership on the Commission is currently underway. In addition,there will be ample
opportunities for interested residents and groups to volunteer as part of Lex250 events,be sure to watch
the Town Website,Town E-Newsletter"Link to Lexington' and local papers for updates.
Center Streetscape Update
Following the 2019 Annual Town Meeting staff pursued a MassWorks Grant. The Town was not
successful in obtaining the grant so the timetable has been revised. Staff continues to meet with the
Working Group, a subset of the Center Streetscape Committee, and the Architect to finalize the 100%
design pians. The design should be completed in the summer of 2020. Staff will provide an update to the
Select Board at that time. The project will be bid in the winter of 2020. Once a contractor had been selected
staff will coordinate regular meetings with the center businesses and develop a communications pian for
the project. The projected project start date is spring 2021 after Patriots' Day. The project will take
approximately 2 construction seasons to complete. The Battle Green Streetscape project will be brought
to 100% design over the next 2 years with construction targeted once the main Streetscape Project is
complete. The goal is to have all of the Streetscape completed by fall 2024 in anticipation of the 2025 Town
Celebration.
Municipal & School Buildings
Lexington Fire Department Headquarters Replacement:
Construction Start Date:November 2018
Estimated Project Completion Date: End of April 2020
Project Budget:$19,943,700
Funding:STM 1 2017-Article 2/STM 4 2017-Article 4/ATM 2018-Article 13
The Fire Department Headquarters building construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of April
2020. Interior wall board is being installed as construction activity transitions into the start of finish work.
Painting,ceiling and light installs,millwork and flooring work will begin and will be followed by system
& equipment start-ups and systems programming. The start of exterior work such as paving, sidewalks,
and landscaping will depend to some degree on how early spring ushers in. Once all punch list and
commissioning work is completed the Fire Department will schedule their move into the new Fire
Department Headquarters at 45 Bedford Street.
Visitors Center:
Start Date: May 2019
Estimated Project Completion Date:April 2020
(Landscaping to be completed June 2020)
Project Budget: $5,100,000
Funding: ATM 2017-Article 18/STM 2017 3-Article 8/ATM 2018-Article 22
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The temporary Visitors Center was opened in the Cary Memorial Building in May of 2019. Demolition of
the old Visitors Center took place shortly thereafter. The new Visitors Center construction began in June
of 2019. The building construction has progressed steadily throughout the fall and winter with the interior
finishes expected to be completed soon. The building is expected to be turned over to the Town and will
be open to the public in April of 2020. The plantings and site work is expected to be completed in early
June 2020.
Westview Cemetery Administration Building_
Start Date: Design Development is complete and the Construction documents have started
Estimated Project Completion Date:Spring 2022
Project Budget: $281,000 for design and $3,290,000 for construction
Funding:ATM 2017-Article 120 (design)
The funding request for the Construction of the new Westview Cemetery Administration Building will
come to ATM 2020 under Article 16k.The project is currently in the construction document phase and the
design team expects to be ready for the building to go out to bid for a spring 2021 construction timeframe.
The Request for Proposal(RFP)for the construction project will be advertised in early January of 2021 with
the expectation that the construction company mobilizes shortly after winter is over. The project is
expected to be completed by early 2022 if approved at the 2020 ATM.
Lexington Police Station
Start Date:Schematic Design is underway
Estimated Project Completion Date:tbd
Project Budget: Currently$1,862,622 has been appropriated thru Construction Documents
Funding:ATM 2018-Article 14
Conceptual design work continues with the New Police Station project. On March 9, 2020, the Select
Board reaffirmed their decision that the new Lexington Police Station be located at 1575 Massachusetts
Avenue. At this time it is anticipated this will come to a Fall 2020 STM for construction funding that
would then be followed with a Town-Wide Debt Exclusion vote.
Hosmer House:
Appropriation: $50,000
Funding:STM12018-Article 5
Article 5 of the 2018 Special Town Meeting appropriated $50,000 for the study regarding relocation or
renovation of the Hammond A. Hosmer house, located at 1557 Massachusetts Ave. A committee was
formed with representatives of the Board of Selectmen, Permanent Building Committee, Historical
Commission,Historic Districts Commission,Public Facilities Department and the Architectural firm LDa.
This group held a public input session on May 7, 2019 along with several meetings to evaluate the data
gathered.A report from the architectural firm LDa was completed and presented to the Board of Selectmen
on July 8, 2019 which outlined the feedback received and proposed recommendations on the best use
moving forward of both the Hosmer House and the surrounding greenspace. At the Board of Selectmen
meeting on July 8, 2019, the Board felt strongly that the Hosmer House be returned to its intended use as
a home and were in support of moving the Hosmer House to a different yet to be determined location.
The Board is currently working with the Town Manager on a draft request for proposals (RFP) for the
house to be moved and/or acquired.
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Pine Meadows Club House
Construction Start Date: Design Development is anticipated to begin in summer 2020, pending funding
approval at ATM 2020.
Estimated Project Completion Date: Design Development is tentatively scheduled to take place from
summer 2020-Winter 2021
Project Budget: $100,000 (design&engineering) and $950,000 (construction-tentative)
Funding: ATM 2020-Article 11 (design&engineering)
Funding for the renovation of the clubhouse will come to ATM 2021.
Old Reservoir Bath House
Construction Start Date: June 2020
Estimated Project Completion Date: September 2020
Project Budget: $75,000 (design&engineering) and $620,000 (construction)
Funding: ATM 2018-Article 10i (design&engineering) and ATM 2019-Article 14g
(Construction)
Design Development is nearing completion and construction is tentatively scheduled to take place from
June-September 2020 for anticipated public use in the 2021 season.
Center Fields Bathrooms
Construction Start Date: Design Development is anticipated to begin in summer 2020, pending funding
approval at ATM 2020.
Estimated Project Completion Date: Design Development is tentatively scheduled to take place from
Summer 2020-Winter 2021
Project Budget: $100,000 (design&engineering) and $750,000 (construction-tentative)
Funding:ATM 2020-Article 16b (design&engineering)
Funding for the renovation of the building will come to ATM 2021.
Maria Hastings Elementary School:
Construction Start Date:May 2018
Estimated Project Completion Date: October 2020 (Student relocation to new school-February 2020)
Project Budget:$65,279,418
Funding: STM 1 2016-Article 3/ATM 2017-Article 17/STM-3 2017-Article 2
Work has continued steadily on the building and during February 2020 school vacation week staff and
student belongings were successfully moved to the new school building as it is prepared for its first day
of school on February 24, 2020. Along with the new school building a new playground will be available
for student use, weather permitting. The new school is an all-electric design and includes a geo-thermal
heating system. The demolition and recycling of materials of the former Hastings School building has
begun and once completed construction will then continue on the new parking lot, access drive and
playing fields that will occupy the remainder of the school property. It is anticipated the work will be
complete in October of 2020.
The Scope and Budget agreement with the MSBA defines approx. $16,500,000 in reimbursement from the
MSBA to Lexington on this project. Additional energy incentives with the utility companies are also being
pursued.
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Lexington Children's Place:
Construction Start Date:May 2018
New Building Complete:October 2019 (Building Occupancy 8/15/19)
Project Budget: $15,079,342
Funding:STM 1 2017-Article 4/STM 2 2017-Article 3/ATM 2018-Article 12
Construction started on the new building in September of 2018 and the project was substantially complete
and ready for students on the first day of school in late August of 2019. Punch list and commissioning
work has continued over the winter and remaining landscaping and paving work that could not be
competed in the fall will be completed in the spring of 2020.
Lexington High School
The Superintendent,with support of the School Committee and Board of Selectmen,submitted a Statement
of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) on March 17, 2019, requesting state
support for a high school building project. The MSBA has eight possible priorities for requesting support
and Lexington's 51 page application qualified for six of them. These included the following (1)
Replacement or renovation of a building which is structurally unsound or otherwise in a condition
seriously jeopardizing the health and safety of school children,where no alternative exists. (2)Elimination
of existing severe overcrowding. (3) Prevention of the loss of accreditation. (4) Prevention of severe
overcrowding expected to result from increased enrollments. (5) Replacement, renovation or
modernization of school facility systems,such as roofs,windows,boilers,heating and ventilation systems,
to increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in a school facility. (7) Replacement of
or addition to obsolete buildings in order to provide for a full range of programs consistent with state and
approved.
The response from the MSBA in December of 2019 was that while Lexington's case for a new high school
was compelling,but that unfortunately did not invite us into the process this year. Recognizing the needs
and challenges Lexington is facing,the MSBA strongly encouraged the Town to reapply in 2020.
If Lexington were to be invited into the school building pipeline,a one-year feasibility period would begin,
during which time issues of scope, siting, and cost would be explored in partnership with the MSBA. If
Lexington is not invited into the pipeline in 2020,we will likely reapply in 2021 and every year thereafter
until our application is accepted. In the meantime, the School Department is completing a School Master
Plan which will include a phased plan to accommodate students at Lexington High School (LHS) until a
new or renovated building is available.
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