Lexington Select Board approves permanent affordable housing deal on Lowell Street

LEXINGTON -- January 27, 2025, Lexington Select Board unanimously approved a 40-unit, 100-percent affordable housing agreement on Lowell Street and signed a 34-article annual town meeting warrant. The 5-0 vote on the land disposition agreement with Causeway Development LLC followed a closed executive session and a presentation by Affordable Housing Trust Chair Elaine Tung and Town Counsel Mina Macarios, who said the deal includes perpetual affordability restrictions with tenant AMIs ranging from 30 to 80 percent, averaging below 60 percent. One abutter, Mark Lang, criticized the process as having kept neighbors "in the dark." The board also heard that the fiscal year 2026 budget is balanced at a 6 percent general fund increase, adding just under $7.5 million to operations, with the Lexington High School project carrying a $654 million excluded-debt estimate still subject to revision. Community Preservation Committee Chair Marilyn Fenelosa presented roughly $7.5 million in CPC projects for town meeting, headlined by $3 million for the Affordable Housing Trust and $1.49 million to replace the end-of-life Center Playground.