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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-25-LCC-min Town of Lexington Lexington Center Committee Minutes for the meeting of February 25, 2021, held via Zoom beginning at 8:30 am. Center Committee members: Richard Brown, Michael Boudett, Katherine Huang, Frederic Johnson, Howard Levin, Pamela Lyons, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (chair), Pamela Shadley Liaisons: Jill Hai, Select Board, Bob Creech, Planning Board, Dave Pinsonnealt, Department of Public Works, Frank Smith, Capital Expenditures Committee, Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director, Casey Hagerty, Economic Development Coordinator, Dawn McKenna, Tourism Committee, Janet Perry, Disability Commission, Joe Pato (SB informally) Guests: John Livsey, DPW Engineering, Matt Weisman, Engineering DPW, Hemali Shah, Assistant Director of Senior Services, Erin Sandler-Rathe Chamber of Commerce, Joe Rancatore, Ranc’s, Stella Carr, Sustainability Director, Upasna Chhabra, Julie-Ann Shapiro, Council on Aging, Melanie Tanionos, Sharon Spaulding, Lisa Cassidy, Eco Imagine, Boris Nikitin, Cambridge Trust Company, bnorford, jas We began with the DPW update from Dave Pinsonneault: The holiday lights are down in Emery Park and so are the big snowflakes. Other holiday lights are staying up until the Streetscape Project is determined. John Livsey gave an extended and detailed description of the “Communication Plan” for the Streetscape Project. There will be four people from the Engineering Department “with eyes on the Streetscape Project.” John, Ross Morrow, Matt Weisman and Trish Malatesta. People can call 781-274-8305 or email centerctreetscape@lexingtonma.gov to be on an email streetscape update list. The Project is out to bid right now with 100% complete plans. DPW is maintaining a website which will be updated weekly. One full time and one part time resident engineers have been hired, with experience in streetscape projects to respond to center businesses and abutters. DPW will produce a monthly update memo to the Select Board. The website will have Q&A videos. The engineers aim to alert businesses as to when work will take place in front of those businesses. Hoping for a week’s notice. DPW will use the Economic Development newsletter to highlight businesses and promotions. Erin Sandler-Rathe suggested a form for businesses on the Chamber of Commerce website and she could pass the questions on the Casey and Sandhya. Sandhya described a consumer survey regarding concerns about patronizing center businesses that will go out this week. Jerry let us know that Patriots Day will be virtual this year. Various associated activities are planned. More on that next month. Then we heard the Economic Development update from Sandhya: Stretch-Med is now working on accessibility and HDC issues. Bubble Tea is looking for a space in the Center. Omar’s is progressing. A mobile seafood truck is looking for a location. There was some concern about whether this is fair to the brick and mortar restaurants. Perhaps just on Farmer’s Market Day. Dave noted that Grain Mill Alley is coming into being! The landscape design is being finalized and will be going out to bid next month. Seating, bike racks and an information kiosk will magically appear. Jerry mentioned that there has been some backsliding on the part of Center employees on parking for long periods of time in the metered spaces. Jerry had a conversation with Chief Corr about this. (Was a specific determination made?) The Select Board is waiting for more information and has not made a final decision on whether it’s going to be parking meters or kiosks on Mass Ave. Howard noted that meters create more street clutter but they are more convenient than kiosks. John Livsey noted that engineering has no preference but they need a decision fairly soon for the Streetscape Project. Joe Rancatore favors modern parking meters such as they have near his establishment in Newton which are much liked, vs. the kiosks near his establishment in Belmont which are not popular. Hemali Shah and Julie-Ann Shapiro presented the COA’s proposal for a senior parking permit. Seniors would receive a sticker to park anywhere in the Center free of charge. Seniors would be expected to abide by the time limits on the meters. Julie-Ann described it as an “act of goodwill” toward seniors. Fred raised concerns about enforcement and warned that it would compromise the success of the current parking management scheme. Dick Brown was wary of adding “layers of complexity.” Katherine suggested that seniors use the Depot Lot. Mike did not discern a rationale for the proposal. Howard suggested that it was a solution searching for a problem. Pam L. said her usual crazy stuff. Dawn noted how difficult it can be to get around the center if one has a mobility impairment, even if it does not rise to the level of meriting a handicapped parking tag. Stella Carr discussed the seven EV charging stations. The Select Board will be setting the rate shortly. Thus far the ev charge has been free.