HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-17-LCC-minTown of Lexington
Lexington Center Committee
Minutes for the meeting of June 17, 2020.
The meeting was held pursuant to Gov. Baker’s executive order of March 12, 2020
suspending certain provisions of G.L. c. 30A, section 20.
Center Committee Members: Katherine Huang, Frederic Johnson, Howard Levin,
Pamela Lyons, Innessa Manning, Jerold Michelson (Chair), Pamela Shadley, Peter
Siy
Liaisons: Jill Hai, Select Board, Frank Smith, Capital Expenditures Committee,
Casey Hagerty, Economic Development Department, David Pinsonneault,
Department of Public Works, Sandra Shaw, Council on Aging,
Guests: Susan Barrett, Transportation Manager, Kathy Fields, Crafty Yankee, Kevin
Falcone, Chair, Bike Committee, Sheila Page, Assistant Planner
We started out with the DPW update from Dave Pinsonneault: “it’s been hectic
and crazy downtown.” All downtown striping and other maintenance was done as
is usual to prepare for Patriots Day, even though those festivities did not take
place. Sunday trash pickup in the Center begins on Sunday June 28. The Parklett is
going in this Saturday, June 20. DPW is working with the Transportation Safety
Group to create additional outdoor spaces in the Center to help the restaurants.
The Center Streetscape Project is scheduled to begin after Patriot’s Day, 2021.
Sandhya Iyer, the new Economic Development Director, introduced herself and
discussed her background which includes economic development for the life
sciences sector on the state level. Casey Hagerty discussed various EDD strategies
in response to the pandemic including eliminating fees and restrictions on
parking, creating a dine and shop webpage on the Town website and allowing
sandwich signs in the Center.
Ms. Iyer outlined reopening plans for the Center. (See Presentation to the Select
Board dated June 10, 2020
https://mail.rcn.com/service/home/~/Reopening%20Plan%20for%20Select%20Board.pdf?auth=co&loc=
en_US&id=960700&part=2.) The EDD is especially trying to increase capacity for
restaurants via additional outdoor seating. Howard Levin urged the EDD and
Center Committee to think about ways to help other Center businesses including
gyms.
Sheila Page, Assistant Planning Director, presented a plan to create a 20 mph
safety speed zone in the Center. (See Transportation Safety Group Presentation
to the Select Board dated June 15, 2015. The presentation is posted in the Select
Board’s packet: https://lexington.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/ ). All
members were supportive of this idea. Concerns and suggestions were raised
over enforcement, lack of a traffic light at the Mass Ave/Woburn Street
intersection (although this issue might reanimate in the future) and whether the
zone could extend all the way to the Munroe School Building.
The Center Committee voted 8 to 0 (by roll call vote) to support a 20 mph speed
limit in the Center (as shown in the TSG presentation) and to extend this zone
eastward to the Muzzey Condominiums crosswalk.
The Depot Parking Lot is currently free and unmanned. There was some light
discussion as to when to start up again with fees and enforcement.
The Center Committee voted 8 to 0 (by roll call vote) to recommend to the
Select Board that parking remain free for the time being.
Pamela Shadley suggested that a specific termination date, such as Labor Day, be
chosen.
The new bakery on Edison Way (replacing a Dunkin Donuts) is almost ready to
open. LaDolda has opened.
The Visitors Center is looking to open on July 13th with an outdoor information
function and Battle Green tours. The Liberty Ride is on indefinite hold. Susan
Barrett indicated that Lexpress will be back. Someday. Town Meeting voted to
appropriate $177, 000 to buy the land needed for the bike node from the
Lexington Historical Society.