TOWN OF LEXINGTON MASSACHUSETTS ANNUAL REPORT 2020 ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Town of Lexington, Massachusetts CONTENTS TOWN GOVERNMENT Economic Development TOWN REPORT COMMITTEE Advisory Committee .......................... 96 Select Board ........................................ 3 Chair: Fence Viewers ................................... 96 Nancy C. Cowen Town Manager ..................................... 7 Fund for Lexington ............................ 97 Town Clerk/Board of Registrars ........ 10 Editorial Staff: Greenways Corridor Committee ........ 97 State Presidential Primary Election ... 11 Gloria Amirault Hanscom Area Towns Carmen Mincy Annual Town Election ........................ 19 Committees (HATS) ........................... 97 Karyn Mullins Special Town Meeting (Nov 12) ......... 22 Historical Commission ...................... 98 Susan Myerow Annual Town Meeting Minutes .......... 24 Historic Districts Commission ........... 99 Greta Peterson Senators and Representatives .......... 36 Housing Authority .............................. 99 Robert Ruxin Elected Town Officials ....................... 37 Housing Partnership Board ............. 100 Layout: Victoria Sax Moderator .......................................... 37 Human Rights Committee ............... 100 Town Meeting Members Human Services Committee ........... 101 Printer: Lexington Public Schools Association (TMMA) .......................... 38 Print Center Lexington Center Committee .......... 102 Cary Memorial Library ....................... 41 500 copies printed Lexington Housing Assistance Finance .............................................. 43 Also available at Board (LexHAB) ............................... 102 Fire and Rescue ................................ 45 http://records.lexingtonma.gov/weblink Noise Advisory Committee .............. 103 Human Services ................................ 46 Permanent Building Committee ...... 104 Each year, volunteers get the unique Information Technology ..................... 50 Recreation Committee .................... 105 opportunity to learn about their Town Land Use, Health, Regional Planning Agencies ............ 105 through their work on this report. We and Development .............................. 51 hope those who peruse this Report Scholarship and also discover something new and Minuteman Regional Education Fund Committee ............ 106 High School ....................................... 61 interesting about Lexington. Many Sustainable Lexington ..................... 106 thanks to the hardworking team listed Police ................................................. 62 above, and the committee members Tax Deferral and Exemption Public Facilities .................................. 64 Study Committee ............................ 107 and town staff who contributed to Public Works ..................................... 66 this report. This report, including Tourism Committee ......................... 108 narratives, covers the fiscal year Recreation and Town Celebrations Committee ........ 109 July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. Unless Community Programs ....................... 76 Town Report Committee ................. 109 otherwise noted, financial data reports Retirement Board .............................. 79 Transportation Advisory the total dollars expended in the fiscal School Committee ............................. 80 year (FY) that began July 1, 2019 and Committee ....................................... 110 ended June 30, 2020. Superintendent of Schools ................ 82 Transportation Safety Group ........... 110 Cover Photos: Town Counsel .................................... 86 Tree Committee ............................... 111 Fire Station Headquarters: Jake Trustees of Public Trusts ................. 111 Snyder, Red Skies Photography TOWN COMMITTEES Water & Sewer Lexington Visitors Center: 20/20 Vision Committee .................... 88 Abatement Board ............................ 123 Lexington Town Staff Ad Hoc Crematory Study .................. 88 Youth Commission .......................... 123 Lexington Center Track and Field: Lexington Town Staff Antony Working Group ...................... 88 Zoning Board of Appeals................. 124 Interior Photos: David Tabeling, Appropriation Committee .................. 89 Committee Chairs Bicycle Advisory Committee ............. 90 APPENDIX— Capital Expenditures Committee ...... 91 FINANCIAL DATA Cover: Please see complete photo Cary Lecture Series ........................... 91 Comptroller Schedule descriptions on Inside Back Cover of Appropriations ............................. 125 Commission on Disability .................. 92 Enterprise Funds ............................. 129 Communications Advisory Committee .......................... 92 Debt Service Summary ................... 129 Community Preservation Revenues/Expenditures Committee ......................................... 93 and Fund Balances ......................... 130 Council for the Arts ........................... 94 Council on Aging ............................... 94 Index Design Advisory Committee .............. 95 TOWN GOVERNMENT MESSAGE OF THE SELECT BOARD Massachusetts law requires that the Select Board, prior to the annual Town Meeting, issue an Annual Report for use by the residents of the Town. The 2020 annual Town Report presented here provides, among other things, financial data relating to the Town for the fiscal year 2020 that covers the period July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. In addition, the report contains highlights of the accomplishments of the many departments, boards, committees, and commissions that are responsible for the governance of Lexington. This Annual Town Report is just one of several ways by which citizens may be informed of what is going on in the Town. The Town’s Web site at www.lexingtonma.gov provides links to many other resources including the websites for the schools and the Town Meeting Members Association. From our Town website you can also find all budget documents as they are generated and the minutes of all committee meetings which provide valuable insight into the departments and committees. Meetings of the three elected boards, Select Board, School Committee, and Planning Board are covered by LexMedia, our Public, Educational, Governmental (PEG) access provider, and broadcast by all three of the Town’s cable television providers. LexMedia covers other Town meetings and events as well. For more up to the minute information, residents can register for CodeRED — the Town’s emergency notification system — for texts, emails, and automated phone calls about closings, detours, or emergencies. Residents can sign up for the monthly Town news email and periodic emails and e-newsletters from specific departments and boards/ committees. Residents can also follow the Town’s Social Media accounts on Facebook and Twitter. The Select Board acknowledges the leadership provided by Town Manager, James Malloy, his outstanding staff, and the dedicated Town employees who manage the day-to-day operations of the Town and make Lexington a special place to live, work and visit. Of special note, however, are the countless volunteer hours provided by the citizens who comprise our many boards, committees, and commissions. The Select Board extends its continued thanks, appreciation, and admiration to the many residents whose work and civic engagement make it possible for Lexington to be a well-managed town. Douglas M. Lucente, Chair Jill I. Hai, Vice Chair Joseph N. Pato Suzanne E. Barry Mark D. Sandeen TOWN OF LEXINGTON 2020 ANNUAL REPORT 3 TOWN GOVERNMENT LEXINGTON BY THE NUMBERS Settled 1642, incorporated as Town of Lexington 1713 Latitude 42.26N Longitude 71.13W Area of Town Acres 10,650.42 Area of Town in Square Miles 16.64 Extreme Length in Miles 5.80 Extreme Width in Miles 4.85 Highest Elevation (feet above MSL) 374 Lowest Elevation (feet above MSL) 110 FY2019 FY2020 Population 31,626 31,338 Public School Enrollment 7,259 6,921 Town-owned Conservation Land, Acres 1,392 1,398 Total Revenue Sources $249,841,600 $260,930,245 Total Operating Expenses $249,877,016 $257,700,586 Property Tax Bill for Home of Average Value (excludes CPA surcharge) $14,834 $15,547* Typical Annual Residential Water/Sewer Bill (120 HCF per year) $1,638 $1,758 Solid Waste Trash (tons) 8,368 8,387 Recycled Materials (tons) 3,857 3,851 Home of Average Value (single-family home) $1,051,000 $1,106,000 Home of Median Value (single-family home) $939,000 $924,000 Single-family homes sold 355 307 Single-family homes demolished 81 74 Permits issued for new single-family homes 98 100 Town of Lexington Moody’s Credit Rating Aaa Aaa Town of Lexington 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420 • 781-862-0500 • www.lexingtonma.gov 4 TOWN OF LEXINGTON 2020 ANNUAL REPORT TOWN GOVERNMENT SELECT BOARD Five members elected by the voters at large to overlapping in excess of revenue growth. The challenges posed for future 3-year terms: Chair Douglas M. Lucente, Vice-Chair Jill I. budgets is partially softened by healthy balances in a range of Hai, Joseph N. Pato, Suzanne E. Barry, and Mark D. Sandeen. stabilization and reserve accounts that allow for more gradual In March 2020, Mr. Lucente and Mr. Sandeen were re-elected budget adjustments. to 3-year terms. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic mid-year created many new uncertainties. As a result, the FY2021 Year of Unprecedented Challenges budget approved by Town Meeting reduced spending in sev- The Select Board permanently changed the Town Office eral areas