Lee, Massachusetts Board Meeting Summary – May 19, 2026

This meeting of the Lee, Massachusetts board was held on May 19, 2026. No agenda or minutes were provided with the transcript. The board reorganized for the upcoming year, approved several routine items, adopted policies, and received updates on town business. No public comments were offered. All votes were unanimous except where noted.

Discussion Items

• Board Reorganization: The board elected Bob Jones as chairman for the upcoming year and Gordon D. Bailey as clerk. Both votes were unanimous.
• Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes: The board unanimously approved the open session minutes of May 5, 2026, as presented.
• Police Chief Contract: The board unanimously authorized the town administrator to sign the police chief contract for Stephanie Burdick. It was noted that this matter had been discussed previously and that Burdick had already signed the contract.
• Salary Classification Update: Chris presented an update to the salary classification schedule for non-union positions. The update included title changes, newly added positions such as conservation agent, positions moved into IMA, and recent promotions. The schedule establishes minimum, midpoint, and maximum salary ranges for non-union employees, who receive cost-of-living adjustments based on the national average and additional merit- or performance-based raises within those ranges. A board member asked whether the previous table was from 2025; Chris confirmed it was from FY25 and noted it had not been adjusted for two years. The board unanimously approved the salary classification as presented.
• Lee Farmers Market Sign Permit and Fee Waiver: The board approved a temporary sign permit and fee waiver for the Lee Farmers Market, which requested two wooden signs in the park and six lawn signs throughout town. It was noted that the signs are each three square feet or less in size. The vote was unanimous.
• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy: As an additional item not on the agenda, the board adopted the environmentally preferable purchasing policy. Chris explained that this policy is updated annually to maintain eligibility for a Greener Gateway grant and that it establishes a preference for recycled products whenever possible and affordable. The board unanimously voted to adopt the policy.

Announcements

• Memorial Day Parade: The board announced that the Memorial Day Parade will take place on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 10 a.m. on Main Street. If severe weather presents a danger to participants, the event will be moved to the high school auditorium with a ceremony. Notification would be made through the town website red alert, text, and e-blast. Light rain would not cancel the parade.
• Bike Share Grant: Chris announced that the town's DOT bike share grant of $250,000 has been approved. The funds must be spent by December 31, 2027, and bike share stations could appear as early as summer 2026 or spring 2027. Chris clarified that this grant funds bike share stations, not the bike path; two other grants are funding the path design, with construction currently anticipated around 2030.
• Staff Recognition: Chris thanked staff for their work on the recent town meeting and election.

Key Outcomes

• Bob Jones elected chairman and Gordon D. Bailey elected clerk, both unanimously.
• Open session minutes of May 5, 2026, approved unanimously.
• Town administrator authorized to sign the police chief contract for Stephanie Burdick.
• Salary classification schedule approved unanimously.
• Temporary sign permit and fee waiver for the Lee Farmers Market approved unanimously.
• Environmentally preferable purchasing policy adopted unanimously.
• Memorial Day Parade confirmed for May 25, 2026, at 10 a.m. with weather contingency plans.
• $250,000 DOT bike share grant reported as approved, with a spending deadline of December 31, 2027.