Select Board — January 26, 2026
The meeting was largely procedural and collegial, but genuine tension emerged over the Walnut Street speed humps petition — where staff, a board member, and community petitioners held conflicting positions on a life-safety tradeoff — and the immigration statement introduced a nationally charged political dimension to an otherwise routine local agenda.
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📋 LEXINGTON SELECT BOARD — January 26, 2026: What Was Decided, What Was Deferred, and What the Minutes Left Out
The biggest flashpoint at Monday's Select Board meeting was a citizens petition for speed humps on Walnut Street. Petitioner Robert Rotberg argued the Transportation Safety Group's proposed median islands would be dangerous for large vehicles and that speed humps are needed to prevent serious crashes. The response from town staff was unambiguous: the fire chief, police chief, and DPW all formally opposed putting vertical obstructions on a roadway used by emergency vehicles. Board member Dawn McKenna added personal testimony, saying transport over speed humps while injured would be unbearably painful — a clear signal of her position. The board did not vote on the merits. Instead, they directed staff to produce cost estimates and an installation timeline before Town Meeting, roughly eight weeks away. This issue is headed to Town Meeting unresolved, with staff opposition on the record and the board divided. If you live near Walnut Street — or care about either traffic safety or emergency response — this is a vote you'll want to watch.
On the budget front, Assistant Town Manager Carolyn Koznoff presented a preliminary FY2027 budget that is balanced without one-time funds — a stated goal. But the way it got there matters: a $4.7 million structural deficit was closed through health insurance cost reductions and departmental cuts. Town Manager Steve Bartha noted that a 9% health insurance renewal is now considered a relative win, down from 15%. That candid remark reflects real fiscal strain. Residents should ask which departments absorbed cuts and what services, if any, will be reduced as a result.
Finally, a transparency note: the official minutes published for this meeting are significantly incomplete. They do not reflect the unanimous vote approving the FY2027 Recreation fee schedule (adding $172,780 in revenue), the full budget presentation, the Walnut Street speed humps discussion, the Town Meeting warrant review, or the approval of the Town Manager's performance goals. Residents relying on minutes as their window into local government decisions would have no record of these items. The transcript tells a fuller story. We encourage residents to review it directly and to attend or watch Town Meeting when it convenes.
Topics discussed
Chair Hay acknowledged current national events and reaffirmed the town's commitment to resident safety, referencing joint statements from Town Manager and Police Chief about not enforcing federal immigration law.
Director Melissa Petit presented annual recreation fee increases, projecting $172,780 in additional revenues with robust financial aid programs available.
Assistant Town Manager Carolyn Koznoff presented balanced budget with 3.9% revenue increase, eliminating $4.7 million deficit through health insurance cost reductions and departmental cuts.
Robert Rotberg presented petition for speed humps on Walnut Street as alternative to Transportation Safety Group's median proposal. Discussion included concerns from public safety officials about vertical obstructions affecting emergency vehicles, while proponents argued for traffic calming measures citing safety concerns and precedents at other facilities.
Review of the draft warrant containing 35 articles for the upcoming annual town meeting. Discussion of publication timeline and formatting details.
Approval of town manager's performance evaluation goals, incorporating Select Board strategic goals and operational objectives. The evaluation period was extended to 17 months to align with fiscal year cycles.
Report that the Zoning Board of Appeals approved the comprehensive permit for affordable housing at 591 Lowell Street (Lowell and North Street project).
Updates on cell tower coverage improvements, Martin Luther King Day events, Liberty Ride continuation recommendation, and high school building project progress.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Walnut Street Speed Humps vs. Median Islands
Public Safety and Immigration Statement
FY2027 Preliminary Budget — Departmental Cuts and Health Insurance Burden
Lexington Preservation Award — Staff Opposition to Community Initiative
Incomplete Meeting Minutes — Transparency Gap
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Accountability flags
Transcript vs. official minutes
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