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SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCE NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2023
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Earth day is coming up on Saturday, April 22nd! With the newly released IPCC report on climate change stating that “there is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a livable and sustainable future for all,” it is more critical than ever to take concrete steps to reduce our carbon emissions, protect our natural resources, and bolster our resilience this Earth Month. In this newsletter you will find events, programs, and more to help you be a part of that effort. | | |
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Town Meeting Votes to Adopt Specialized Stretch Code | |
On March 20, 2023, Lexington became the fifth community in the Commonwealth to vote to adopt the Opt-In Specialized Stretch Code. Town Meeting members overwhelmingly supported adoption (over 95% votes in favor).
The code provides a more energy efficient and low greenhouse gas emission alternative to the Stretch Energy Code and the baseline Massachusetts Energy code. It ensures new construction is consistent with state and local net zero goals for 2050 through deep energy efficiency, reduced heat loads, and building electrification.
The code will go into effect in Lexington in January 1, 2024.
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Job Opportunity: Clean Heat Outreach Specialist | |
Lexington Climate Action Network (LexCAN), in partnership with the Town, is seeking someone with an interest in sustainability to accelerate and assist in the transition to clean, healthy and affordable HVAC and appliances in Lexington homes. Serving as Lexington's Clean Heat Outreach Specialist, this person will conduct outreach, drive energy efficiency program enrollment and participation, and develop communication tools to empower homeowners and residents to play a role in Lexington’s progress toward climate change mitigation and resilience goals.
Details:
- Remote work, with regular attendance at in-person events
- 10-15 hours per week (flexible)
- 1 year position (flexible)
To apply, send a resume and cover letter to lexclimateaction@gmail.com and mpeard@lexingtonma.gov.
| This new position is made possible by a Mass Save Community Education grant. | | |
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Lexington HeatSmart Energy Advisor and retired energy management consultant, Gerry Yurkevicz, wrote an article in the Lexington Observer about heat pumps. He covers the role of heat pumps in accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels, overcoming barriers to adoption, cost considerations, and resources available to those considering heat pumps in their home or business.
"Heat pumps have come a long way. Homeowners should feel reassured that a properly designed heat pump system meets 100% of any weatherized home’s heating needs in colder climates. For the best results, a thoughtfully-designed heat pump system needs to take into account a home’s particular features such as age, square footage, room configuration, etc."
Interested in exploring heat pumps in your own home? Sign up for a clean energy consultation with a Lexington HeatSmart Energy Advisor.
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Last Call for Resilient Lexington Survey Responses | Make your voice heard! The survey for the Town's Climate Action & Resilience Plan ("Resilient Lexington") will close on April 25th. Your response to the survey will help the planning team understand public priorities and ensure the proposed strategies are actionable. | Learn more about the planning process on the Town website or through the Resilient Lexington Summary. | | |
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Contribute Trash for Earth Day Sculpture | |
The Monroe Center for the Arts and the Lex Zero Waste Collaborative are teaming up once again on an Earth Day sculpture that will repurpose discarded items.
The team is in search of plastic-coated containers (e.g. juice, milk, broth containers). Drop these items in the recycling bin near the Monroe Center for the Arts' driveway along Mass Ave by April 7th to contribute to the project.
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Lexington Recycles Textiles | |
Did you know that the average U.S. resident throws away 81 pounds of clothing each year? And 95% of textiles—worn or torn—can be recycled.
Schedule a curbside pickup of clothing, footwear, accessories, or linens.
OR drop off textiles at:
- Hartwell Avenue Composting Facility
- Any of the Lexington Public Schools
- Minuteman High School
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Celebrating Four Years Without Plastic Straws and Styrofoam | |
At Annual Town Meeting in 2019, two waste reduction bylaws were passed overwhelmingly. These bylaws were an important step towards eliminating single-use products from Lexington's waste stream.
Together, the two bylaws state that Expanded Polystyrene ("Styrofoam") and single-use plastic straws and stirrers shall not be distributed or sold at food establishments, retail stores, or Town buildings. It encourages the replacement of these products with reusable or compostable materials when appropriate.
“If we do not take even easy incremental steps to fix a problem just because they do not fix the entire problem, we will never fix the problem."
-David L. Kaufman, Precinct 3
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Shape the Future of Biking and Walking in Lexington | |
The Town is developing a Town-wide bicycle and pedestrian plan to identify needs and gaps in our biking and walking network. Town staff and consultants from VHB are hosting a public meeting to gather feedback and learn what the public wants and needs to get safely around town.
Tuesday, April 4
7:00 PM
Dining Room, Lexington Community Center
This plan will prioritize future improvements to our streets, sidewalks, and shared use paths to provide meaningful connections that gets people where they want to go. It will be an important tool as the Town makes future mobility investments.
| For more information, visit the Town website or contact Sheila Page in our Planning Division at spage@lexingtonma.gov or 781-698-4565. | | |
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LexCAN Community Meeting: Protecting Lexington Trees | |
A robust tree canopy is critical to maintaining a healthy, enjoyable environment. Trees provide beauty, shade, natural air and water filtration, carbon sequestration, and more. Join LexCAN for a discussion of the Town's tree regulations and how they can be strengthened to protect trees where we need them most: near our homes and public spaces.
Discussion will follow a presentation by Dan Miller of the Tree Advocacy Group of Lexington. Members of the Tree Committee will also be available to answer questions.
Tuesday, April 11
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Virtual
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This program has been made possible by the generous donors to the Cary Library Foundation. | |
Climate Change: Simple, Serious Solvable | |
Join Harvey Leonard for a talk about climate change: what is causing it, why it is serious, and what can be done as we look toward the future. He will also explain the important difference between weather and climate.
Harvey Leonard is WCVB Channel 5’s chief meteorologist emeritus. After a fifty-year career in meteorology, with more than forty-five of those years forecasting weather in New England and twenty of those at WCVB, Harvey retired from the helm of StormTeam 5 in May 2022 and transitioned into his emeritus role.
In person attendance is on a first come basis.
Wednesday, April 12
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Living Room, Cary Library
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This program has been made possible by the generous donors to the Cary Library Foundation. | |
Youth Workshop: There is No Planet B | |
This teen-led workshop uses hands-on experiments, crafts, and games to introduce young people to concepts of sustainability and climate change with the goal of leading a more sustainable lifestyle. The program, run by Lexington High School juniors Dora Liao and Abigail Lucas, will take place over two sessions and is open to grades 3-5. Registration is required and space is limited.
This workshop is part of Cary Teens Lead the Way, a Cary Library program developed to showcase the talents and interests of Lexington teens.
Tuesday, April 18 & Thursday, April 20
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Cary Library
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Support reuse and consumption reduction at one of the largest children’s and maternity consignment sales in the area! Hundreds of buyers and sellers are brought together under one roof for a fantastic one-day event offering thousands of gently used, high quality baby and children’s clothes (newborn to size 12), and gear and toys at very reasonable prices.
50% of all sales go to LexFUND! Community Fund, helping local families in need by providing monetary donations in times of crisis, granting Preschool Scholarships, and supporting community initiatives. Items that are not sold are donated to charities that need these items.
Saturday, April 22
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lexington High School Field House
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Get Biking this Earth Month! | |
Spring Bike Tune Up Class:
Get your bike ready to ride this year! Learn to inspect and clean your bike, lube cables, grease seat post, check tires, and more. Don't forget to bring your bike.
Saturday, April 29
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Lexington Community Center
(Register)
Bicycle Flat Tire Clinic:
Never find yourself stranded with a flat tire again. Learn to release brakes and remove/install wheels; inspect bike parts for damage; learn to identify issues with bike tires; replace tubes; and properly inflate tires.
Saturday, April 29
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Lexington Community Center
(Register)
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Co-hosted by Cary Library, Lexington Climate Action Network (LexCAN), and Town of Lexington Sustainability. | |
Save the Date for an Earth Day in May Panel: "Take One Step Now" | |
Join us for an “Earth Day in May” learning session focused on taking action! You will come away with the tools you need to “Take One Step Now” for a more sustainable future. Hear from a panel of five Lexington residents who have taken action, as they share their experiences with:
- Home weatherization and heat pump installation
- Innovative waste reduction strategies
- Solar and battery storage installation
- Electric vehicle purchase and use
- Natural landscaping practices
Before and after the panel, panelists and other community leaders in sustainability will be available at tables to talk with you and share resources. From home electrification or biking to work to composting and buying local food, there will be something for everyone! In the meantime, visit Energize Lexington and the Town’s Sustainability & Resilience webpage to learn more about the kind of steps you can take today.
Thursday, May 11
6:30 – 8:30 pm (panel from 7:00 – 8:00 pm)
Cary Library
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