Mark’s Priorities

Delivering Educational Solutions

Provide every child access to a great education
Wise investments ensure high quality education

I have been highly focused on delivering affordable solutions for Lexington’s residents for over 15 years. 

Seven years ago, I proposed a plan to increase Lexington’s commercial tax revenue by attracting new businesses to Lexington, and then dedicating that new commercial tax revenue to lower residential tax payments needed for the new high school. That plan has become the Capital Stabilization Framework, an approved policy of the Town of Lexington. This policy has so far added $20 million of new commercial tax revenue to the high school’s Capital Stabilization Fund and is expected to add $26 million more over the next four years, followed by another $195 million over the high school’s 30-year bond term, lowering residential tax payments for the high school by a total of $240 million. 

At the same time, I proposed that the Town could significantly lower the total life cycle cost of the new high school by leveraging the Town’s proven financial track record with Hastings School and Lexington Children’s Place, two healthy, net zero schools. The electric HVAC system for the new high school will be $10 million lower upfront cost than a conventional gas boiler HVAC system, before the expected $4.5 million in state incentives. In addition, the newly approved high school design will generate all of the energy it needs, saving Lexington taxpayers $93 million in electricity costs over 30 years without any federal incentives. 

In 2022, the Select Board and Town Meeting authorized the creation of the Affordable Housing Trust to preserve, create, and fund affordable housing for low and moderate income households. I have served as a Trustee on the Affordable Housing Trust since its creation. The Town recently signed an agreement with an affordable housing developer to build 40 homes of 100% affordable housing on a Town owned parcel of land. The developer will be responsible for paying all construction, operating, and maintenance expenses, including property taxes, without subsidies from the Town.  This is a highly leveraged, fiscally responsible solution for addressing the growing need for affordable housing options in Lexington. These homes will be highly efficient, with heating and cooling requirements so low they will be entirely powered by the rooftop solar panels. The residents will have zero cost for heating or cooling their homes. 

I played a key role in creating Lexington’s Community Choice program which has saved $31 million in lower electricity bills for over 10,000 Lexington customers since the program started in 2017, providing cheaper and cleaner electricity for most of Lexington residents. 

Every person in Lexington deserves to feel welcome, included, and safe. I believe in building strong community relationships where all voices are heard and respected. 

I am looking forward to delivering more fiscally responsible and affordable solutions for Lexington, achieving excellence in education for our kids, while providing affordable housing choices for Lexington seniors, for those who work in Lexington, and the next generation who would like to live Lexington.

All of these priorities are highly interrelated. I look forward to working together with you in each of these areas to create the future we desire.