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Participatory Budgeting (PB)
The 2022-23 Participatory Budgeting Cycle is Complete
See the tab below for details on the winning projects.
What is Participatory Budgeting (PB)?
Participatory Budgeting (PB for short!) is a democratic process through which community members directly decide how to spend public funds. PB guarantees accountability in spending decisions, can increase equity and access, foster civic engagement and community spirit, and ensure that public money targets real community needs.
What PB is NOT
PB is not the same as the Town's annual operating and capital budgets. In these budget processes, Town staff develop the recommended budget to present to the Select Board and eventually to Town Meeting. Residents can participate in those budget processes by commenting at the Select Board's annual budget hearings, or through their Town Meeting representatives.
Submitting an Idea
When an active participatory budgeting cycle is underway, you can submit your ideas to improve Lexington! All ideas are welcome, but projects are only eligible if they meet certain criteria. (Note: the 2022-23 PB cycle is closed.)
Criteria
Eligible projects must meet the following criteria:
- Benefits the public
- Are one-time expenditures
- Are capital projects, (something bought or built--as opposed to operating projects, which usually fund salaries and services)
- Some capital projects may have some sort of associated operating cost. It can't require the Town to hire additional staff.
- Are implemented by the Town of Lexington on Town property (streets, sidewalks, parks, library, schools, youth centers, senior centers, municipal buildings, etc.)
Example Projects
Examples of projects that you could submit could be:
- Water fountains in a park
- Electric vehicle charging stations
- Bicycle repair station
- Accessibility improvements
- Planting trees
Translation
When there is an active participatory budgeting cycle underway, translation services are available upon request in Mandarin, Korean, and Hindi. Email Sean Dugan for assistance.
提交您的关于改善莱克星顿想法。可根据要求提供翻译
렉싱턴의 발전을 위한 당신의 아이디어를 보내주십시오. 요청하시면 번역 서비스가 제공됩니다
लेक्सिंगटन को बेहतर बनाने के लिए अपने विचार प्रस्तुत करें। अनुरोध पर अनुवाद सेवाएं उपलब्ध हैं।
Contact
If you have any questions, or would like additional information, please contact Sean Dugan in the Town Manager's Office by email or call 781-698-4548.
The Select Board allocated $500,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for Lexington's first-ever PB cycle in 2022.
Winning Projects
There was $500,000 approved for this participatory budgeting cycle. At their meeting on April 10, 2023, the Select Board approved an additional $5,000, so that four projects could be selected at $505,000, rather than having three projects totaling $420,000.
The winning projects were selected by the votes of 1,650 residents. Voters of all ages were able to cast a ballot, and then were asked to rank their selected projects in order of preference. Only one vote per person was allowed. The winning projects took into account the weighted total based on voters project ranking.
- Flashing Lights at Crosswalks and Bike Path - $250,000
- Add push button flashing lights at select crosswalks and Minuteman Bikeway crossings around Lexington to improve safety conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
- Improvements to Conservation Land - $100,000
- This project would provide improvements to the Town's highly-used conservation land. Funding would be used to advance the Town's on-going meadow preservation program by 20 acres. These funds would be prioritized for various improvements needed at Chiesa Farm, Dunback Meadow, Parker Meadow, and Willards Woods.
- Benches and Picnic Tables at Open Spaces - $70,000
- Installation of a mix of standard and accessible picnic tables and benches at various parks and open spaces across Lexington. This project aims to improve seating options for users of all ages and abilities.
- Dog Park - $85,000
- Installation of fencing and dog waste disposal stations for the creation of a dog park. This project would be located on a parcel of Town-owned land that has not yet been identified. The dog park would provide a dedicated space for dogs to be off-leash, increasing opportunities for socialization of dogs and their owners.
Additional information about these projects will be made available as Town departments begin work to implement them.
Timeline
Phase | Duration |
Submit Ideas Community submits ideas on how to spend the funds | July through September 16, 2022 |
Proposal Development Town staff vet ideas for cost and feasibility and develop them into proposals that can be voted on. Select Board narrows list of proposals before bringing to the public for a vote | September through February 2023 |
Vote on Proposals Residents vote on their favorite proposals | February through April 7, 2023 |
Implementation Winning projects are implemented | Early 2023 |
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Sean Dugan
Director of Communications and Special ProjectsPhone: 781-698-4548