Lexington Conservation Commission closes high school wetlands hearing, begins conditions work

LEXINGTON -- June 9, 2026, Lexington Conservation Commission closes wetlands hearing on new high school, continues contested multi-family project. The commission voted 6-0 Tuesday to close its public hearing on the Notice of Intent for the new Lexington High School at 251 Waltham Street, with stormwater peer reviewer Dylan O'Donnell of Apex Companies telling commissioners that SMMA "provided very quick, comprehensive responses to all of our comments" after a May 21 meeting and a June 3 final review letter. A special working session is set for June 16 at 7 p.m. to draft conditions, with four eligible voters: Chair Ruth Ladd, Phil Hamilton, Tom Whelan, and newly seated member Kevin Butel. Public commenters, including Olga Gutag of Emerson Road, argued the commission was being "pushed by politics into making environmentally unsound decisions" and urged rejection of the project's siting, but Ladd said alternative siting is outside the commission's jurisdiction. Separately, a revised concept plan for a 12-unit multi-family development at 114 Wood Street, which now removes three units and pulls nearly all work out of sensitive buffer zones, drew a legal interest claim from Minuteman National Historical Park's Integrated Resources Program Manager Margie Brown, who cited Public Law 102-488 and said the parcel's deed describes it as remaining a single-family dwelling; that hearing was continued to July 14. It was also the final meeting for Commissioner Alex Doan, who concluded roughly 12 years of service.