Lexington Select Board approves DEI restructuring, advances Battle Green review

LEXINGTON — June 9, 2025 — Lexington Select Board advances DEI restructuring, Battle Green working group, and compost pilot in lengthy Monday session. The board voted unanimously to approve a revised diversity, equity and inclusion staffing model proposed by Town Manager Steve Bartha that replaces a vacant chief equity officer position with two embedded roles — an assistant HR director doubling as internal equity officer and a community equity officer housed in human services — plus a part-time DEI coordinator, with hiring targeted for fall 2025. A separate, extended discussion on police department proposals to clarify permitted uses of the paved apron near the Captain Parker statue produced no vote; Chair Doug Lucente said he would form a working group and present a charge memo at the June 23 meeting, after all four speaking board members said they were uncomfortable with any permitting requirement for small, spontaneous gatherings. The board also voted 5-0 to authorize a Massachusetts Avenue parklet in front of 1718 Massachusetts Avenue through October 2025, approved a conduct and decorum policy for public meetings on a 4-1 vote after five language amendments, and directed staff to proceed with a three-year composting pilot with Black Earth Compost at the Hartwell Avenue site, which currently generates more than $1.25 million annually in compost sales.