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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-23 SB-min Select Board Meeting March 23, 2020 A remote participation meeting of the Lexington Select Board was called to order at 7:02 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020. Mr. Lucente, Chair; Mr. Pato; Ms. Barry; Ms. Hai and Mr. Sandeen participated via zoom video conference service, as well as Mr. Malloy, Town Manager; Ms. Axtell, Deputy Town Manager; and Ms. Katzenback, Executive Clerk. Mr. Lucente stated the remote participation meeting is being held in accordance with Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Executive Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law to allow remote participation during Massachusetts’ State of Emergency due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Mr. Lucente provided instructions to members of the public, who were watching or listening to the meeting via the Zoom application, regarding the procedure of making a public comment. ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION 1. Covid-19 Update - Discuss Strategies, Implementation and Community Response Actions Related to Covid-19 Guidelines and Directives Mr. Malloy stated that as of March 23, 2020 there are nine confirmed COVID-19 cases; twenty four residents under quarantine and three residents off quarantine in Lexington. Mr. Malloy provided the following highlights of the Town’s response actions as of March 23, 2020 related to COVID-19 Guidelines and Directives: Town/School Operations  Schools, Library, Community Center, Town Offices, Public Services Building, Fire Station and Cary Memorial Building, and Temporary Visitor Center remain closed to the public.  Playgrounds are closed and parks are closed to group sports.  Notices have been given to all restaurants and on premise license holders that they are not to serve on premises.  All daycare centers are closed as of March 22, 2020 and notice with the state order have been delivered to all daycare centers.  The Hartwell Avenue Compost Site will be Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM.  The Lexington Board of Health ordered businesses such as nail salons, tattoo and body art parlors, hairdressers and barbers to be closed as it’s not possible to conduct these businesses and maintain a safe social distance.  All public restrooms in Lexington remained locked.  As of March 15, 2020, the Police Department is suspending all night parking enforcement, enforcing hazardous parking only and suspending all meter enforcement through April 1, 2020. Town Staff  With the Governor’s announced new executive order requiring non-essential staff to work from home, the Town of Lexington is preparing for most staff to begin working from home this Wednesday with no more than one person working in each office (with some exceptions) and police/fire on normal shifts and DPW remaining at half-staff on site.  Mr. Malloy said he will continue to regular, conference call each morning with the Senior Management Team and Health Officials to review the change in the number of local cases and discuss actions the Town is taking and to discuss any issues or concerns of various departments. Town Meeting  Mr. Malloy stated the Town Moderator has officially postponed Town Meeting until April 15, 2020 and will reassess as we get closer to this date. Boards/Committees  The following Boards, Committees & Commissions will continue to meet utilizing a remote meeting formats: Select Board; Appropriation Committee; Board of Assessors; Board of Health; Capital Expenditure Committee; Conservation Commission; Historic District Commission; Planning Board; School Committee; Zoning Board of Appeals; Retirement Board; Historic Commission; and Neighborhood Conservation Districts. 2. Annual Town Meeting Postponement - Designate a Local Public Safety Official to Submit Report to Attorney General Mr. Malloy stated that under the statute MGL Ch. 39, Sec. 10A.- Recession and Continuation of Town meeting due to public Safety Emergency paragraph (d), the Select Board is required to designate a Public Safety Official to notify the Attorney General within ten days of a postponement of Town Meeting. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, by roll call vote, the Select Board voted 5-0 to designate the Fire Chief as the Public Safety Official to notify the Attorney General for the purposes stated in MGL Ch. 39, Sec. 10A(d). ADJOURN Upon a motion duly made and by roll call vote the Select Board voted 5-0 to adjourn at 7:44 p.m. Attest: Kim Katzenback Executive Clerk