Article 10: Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment

TMod asks Selectmen to move the entire Article (contains 19 sub-parts, a-s

TM will take three votes: on part g; on those parts requiring a simple majority; on those parts requiring a two-thirds majority

Good representation of public to address 10g (traffic lights or not, among other things)

Capital Expenditures Committee member (CEC) asks for separate vote on 10p: parking meters; Selectmen: no objection (simple majority)

So, that will be a fourth vote on Article 10

Total funds requested: $10,348,960 (unofficial)

For a description of the proposed projects see Section XI: Capital Investment section of the FY2017 Town Manager's Preliminary Budget and Financing Plan dated January 11, 2016 and found at http://www.lexingtonma.gov/fy17capital 

Selectmen MOVE 10g: Massachusetts Avenue - Three Intersections Improvements and Easements

Board of Selectmen: 3-1 in favor (one Selectman is an abutter and will not vote)

CEC: unanimously in favor

Appropriation Committee (AC): unanimously in favor

Planning Board: unanimously supports

Transportation Advisory Committee: approves this portion

Commission on Disability: is in favor of the signals 

A Selectman, opposed, stands to give "minority report" - cites historical roadway, "this is Lexington"

TMM this is not a question about roundabouts this is about getting $6M to address deteriorating roadways

TMM at YES: the design is not up for a vote tonight; thorough process and public. All have been heard. We are voting on the first funds the Town needs to move the project forward

TMM at NO: We have discussed the design for Mass AV, and I commend the Selectmen for the open process. Implications of all the stop lights.

Citizen: Urges YES vote. Roundabouts make it very difficult to cross roads there.

9 TMMs behind YES mic

TMM Q: I'm confused. Told we were not voting on design.

A: Comprehensive review, peer review; Selectmen voted in January.

TMM: Claims that all of the Historical Commissions, etc support

A: Historical Commissions discussed over a year ago. Have not discussed since. Characterization is true

TMM: I will be voting YES

TMM at NO: Very busy corridor: pedestrian, cars, bikes. Drivers most lethal. (???)

TMM at YES: missed it

Citizen: Loves Lexington, dismayed and alarmed at the number of pedestrian accidents. Lexington has had more accidents than surrounding towns combined. For a high volume street, roundabouts will not improve pedestrian or cyclist safety. Urges support from TM.

TMM Q for Selectmen voting no: Path to signalization?

A: [Peter Kelly] yes

TMM: Even though all of the boards and committees support this?

A: We can do this and do it safely.

TMM: I'm conflicted. If this is only about funding, I'm for it.

TMM Q: When does the 75% design need to be submitted and what happens if we don't meet the deadline?

A: Within the next couple of weeks. MassDOT will make a decision as to whether or not they will keep this project on the list. If forced to compete, there's a v.g. chance this project will be dropped

TMM: so, if we fail to submit on time, we will lose funding, correct?

A: Correct

Citizen: I oppose the article. [Remarks that the Historical Commissions have not rescinded their support] Traffic lights will destroy the historical nature of the Battle Road.

TMM at YES: Misleading comments. "Bucolic Nature of Lexington" - - that bus left long ago. I checked the dictionary for bucolic: "rustic and rural, and sometimes related to shepherds". Ensure the safety of all our citizens. Lexington will always be recognized for its historic contributions

TMM at NO: Just two weeks ago, this TM voted to restrict people's property rights...yet, we are not willing to stand up to preserve the historic character of the Battle Road.

TMM Q: 10g is about intersection improvements. As written, it's for the traffic light proposal. Is it still valid to use that money for roundabouts?

A: If we approve this the project will move forward as currently designed with the traffic lights

TMM: This should be voted to be funded, no matter what.

A: to change the design this late in the process

TMM: I understand the urgency. To use this as a stop gap - - support no matter what.

Citizen: Think about the double lane roundabout at Fresh Pond and of how difficult it is to cross, or ride a bike through. Roundabouts are not safer. Look at safety first. Urges NO

TMM at YES: was motivated by the crashes and accidents involving people and pedestrians to support safer roads. Please support 10g

TMM calls the question
TMod takes voice vote - APPROVED

Final comments from maker of the MOTION

TMod calls for Vote on MOTION
Technical glitch prevents TM from electronic voting
TMod asks Clerk for Roll Call Vote:

Precincts 1&2: majority support
Precincts 3&4: majority support
Precincts 5&6: majority support
Precincts 7, 8, 9: majority support

Town Clerk Tallies the votes
Yes=140
No=24
Abstain=2
APPROVED

While the glitch was being addressed, TMod asks CEC and AC, TMMs for any questions on other sub-sections of Article 10.

10a will be Indefinitely Postponed (IP'd)

With vote on 10g behind us, TM is still working through other parts of Article 10:

a: IP

b: DPW Equipment

c: Street Improvements & Easements

d: Storm Drainage Improvements and NPDES Compliance

e: Hydrant Replacement Program

f: Comprehensive Watershed Storm Water Management Implementation

g: APPROVED by Roll Call Vote

h: Sidewalk Improvements, Additions, Designs, and Easements

i: Town-wide Culvert Replacement

j: Town-wide Signalization Improvements

k: Cary Memorial Library Walkway Replacement

l: Pleasant Street Sidewalk and Easements

m: Replace Town-wide Phone Systems - Phase V

n: Head End Equipment Replacement/Packet Shaper - Phase V

o: Election System Upgrade

p: TO BE TAKEN UP SEPARATELY

q: Transportation Mitigation

r: Ladder Truck Replacement and

s: Public Safety Radio Stabilization

Simple majority required for Article 10 parts a, e, j, m, n, o, s: APPROVED

Two-thirds majority required for Article 10 parts b, c, d, f, h, i, j, k, l, q, r: APPROVED

Adjourned 10:30 PM (unofficial)