I am excited to announce that I’m running for re-election to the Lexington Select Board.
I’m looking forward to continue delivering affordable solutions for Lexington residents, whether that is dedicating $240 million in new commercial tax revenue towards lowering residential taxes for the new high school, reducing energy costs of the new high school by $78 million over the next 30 years, or reducing residents’ electricity bills by $31 million over the last 8 years.
I am completely committed to fiscal responsibility for taxpayers and excellence in education for our kids, affordability for seniors who want to stay in Lexington and affordability for the next generation of residents who would like to live and work in Lexington.
Every person in Lexington deserves to feel welcome, included and safe, with strong community relationships where all voices are heard.
I’m working as a member of the Lexington Affordable Housing Trust to create 40 units of 100% affordable, thoughtfully designed housing at Lexington Woods. I helped secure approval of three healthy, 100% renewable, net zero schools, all with lower total cost of ownership than conventional designs. I am a cofounder and active member of the Lexington Interfaith Garden, now in its 16th year, delivering over 24,000 pounds of healthy produce to the Lexington Food Pantry.
I am looking forward to working together with you to achieve these goals, now more than ever.
I would be honored to have your support.
Thank you,
Mark Sandeen
Mark:
As 1 of 4 Select Board members who supported in April 2023 the catastrophic decision to zone 227 acres for MBTA developments, I cannot support your candidacy for re-election until and unless you acknowledge publicly (i) why you supported that decision, and (ii) what you have learned from that colossal mistake (so that, if re-elected, we have a sense that you will lead Lexington more wisely in the future).
Mark, thank you for your service and continued good work for both citizens and our environment. Do you have regular office hours where citizens can connect with you?
Nicola:
Just curious, was Mark’s support of 227 acres zoned for MBTA developments in Lexington, or 10 times what we were required to do per https://drive.google.com/file/d/11slE_BuilpbbAjHlqPav6NlI-dErzK_I/view?usp=sharing, in your view a move that shows wisdom and good judgment on the part of someone who is asking us to make him again responsible for balancing Town (including School) budgets of $300 million + each year?
If not, why has Mark not told us what he has learned from his mistake, so we can have a sense he will do better if reelected?
Here are some answers to questions residents have asked.
Solar Energy Revenue
The Town of Lexington reports net revenue of $5.9 million generated by the current solar energy systems in the Town’s annual budget documents. The Town expects an additional $6 to $7 million in net solar revenue from these systems over the next 10 years.
The Town had no upfront or maintenance costs for these systems. You can find the net solar revenue in the Brown Book https://www.lexingtonma.gov/2250/FY2026-Budget
The LHS solar energy system is expected to reduce the Town’s net operating expenses by $73 to $83 million over the next 30 years without any federal incentives.
$10 million in upfront savings from LHS HVAC design
The proposed HVAC system for the high school will cost $10,268,000 less in upfront installation costs than a conventional gas powered HVAC system, according to the Schematic Design documents submitted by the Town. These upfront cost savings do not include any federal or state incentives. The design team expects Lexington will receive an additional $4.5 million in state incentives.
A conventional gas HVAC system for LHS would cost $72,509,000.
The proposed electric HVAC system for LHS will cost $62,241,000.
Ground source heat pumps are a very well proven technology, consistently delivering significant long term operational savings. The Town of Lexington’s most recent positive experience with ground source heat pumps comes from Hastings School which opened in 2020.
SECTION 4.1.2 SD FINAL DRAFT LHS Schematic Design.pdf (see page 100)
Community Meeting Presentation October 14, 2025 (slide 14)
$31 million savings from Lexington’s Community Choice program
Since the program’s start in 2017, the Lexington Community Choice program has saved Lexington’s 10,000 customers $31,493,864.
Source: https://www.lexingtonma.gov/1544/Climate-Action-Resilience-Plan
EV Chargers
The cost of charging at Lexington’s EV chargers is paid for by the electric vehicle operators.
From Town Regulations, § 192-40
“EV charging stations shall charge a rate as set by the Select Board that ensures all costs associated with the use of the charging station are recovered by the Town.”
Mark:
I feel discriminated against. You answer extensively someone else’s question, but not mine, which were: As 1 of 4 Select Board members who supported in April 2023 the catastrophic decision to zone 227 acres for MBTA developments, I wish to know (i) why you supported that decision, and (ii) what you have learned from that colossal mistake.
I thought we do not discriminate in Lexington on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or even on the basis of how one voted on a recent debt exclusion. So as a current leader of the Town, will you observe this and answer (i) and (ii)? I am truly curious to know the answers.