The Lexington Select Board met Monday, Oct. 26, with a schedule update on the Lexington High School (LHS) building project topping a packed agenda at Town Hall.

The board also took up a proposed solar canopy at the Muzzey Street parking lot, changes to the 2027 Patriots' Day Weekend event schedule and the Affordable Housing Trust's proposed goals for fiscal year 2027, according to the meeting agenda. Official minutes had not been posted as of publication.

High school project schedule

The agenda's second item was an update on the LHS project schedule. The high school rebuild is one of the largest capital projects in Lexington's history.

At the board's June 22 meeting, Mike Cronin, director of public facilities, said construction was anticipated to begin July 6. Cronin also reported that a Total Value Design process had reduced overall project costs by about $600,000, according to meeting minutes from that session.

The specific content of the Oct. 26 schedule discussion was not available at publication.

Muzzey Street solar canopy

The board discussed a potential solar canopy at the Muzzey Street parking lot, a project it first reviewed June 22. At that earlier meeting, staff presented a proposed 242.76-kilowatt system with an estimated cost of $1,213,800 and a projected payback period of 10.6 years, according to June 22 meeting minutes.

Staff noted at the time that the site falls within the Battle Green Historic District, which could affect costs. Jill Hai, then the board's chair, said she would prefer the town pursue larger, less complicated sites, calling the Muzzey lot project "the most expensive project being proposed at slightly over $1.2M."

The board agreed in June to gather more information before its early September meeting. The Aug. 31 agenda did not include the Muzzey lot item, and it returned to the board Oct. 26.

Patriots' Day and housing trust

The board also discussed proposed updates to the 2027 Patriots' Day Weekend event schedule. The topic first appeared on the Aug. 31 agenda. Details of the Oct. 26 discussion were not available at publication.

The fifth agenda item was a review of the Affordable Housing Trust's proposed FY2027 goals. At a March 16 meeting, Elaine Tung, the trust's chair, presented a rental assistance pilot program with a proposed budget of $117,000 that would offer up to six months of assistance. The program would be administered by Metro West Collaborative Development, according to March 16 meeting minutes.

Other business

The consent agenda included approval of Battle Green use requests for the Lexington Minute Men's military drills and several one-day liquor licenses. The board also appointed seven members to the Local Election Voter Turnout Task Force and Melissa Carballo as a Lexington Housing Authority tenant member.

The Select Board's next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. via hybrid participation.