2023 Annual Town Meeting Concludes

After 9 evenings of debate, the 2023 Annual Town Meeting completed all business and voted to dissolve on Wednesday, April 26.

Town Meeting took action on a number of items during this Annual Town Meeting, including:

Zoning for multifamily housing
Town's annual operating budget
Changes to the tree bylaw
Fair trade restrictions for fur products

...and much more.

You can learn more about the actions taken at 2023 Annual Town Meeting, including vote counts by article, by visiting our website at LexingtonMA.gov/2023ATM

Shift Away From Car-Use, Take Part in the May Mode Shift Challenge

Lexington is excited to be partnering with the 128 Business Council for this year's Mode Shift Challenge.

Shifting to biking, walking, or public transit requires planning ahead. Let us help you do the planning necessary to actually start changing your daily habits!

Participants in the Mode Shift Challenge program this May can win prizes by shifting trips from car to biking, walking, or public transit.

The Town of Lexington is a special sponsor of the Mode Shift Challenge this year, which means that any participants who live or work in Lexington are eligible for special raffle prizes!

Get more details, sign up, and start shifting.

Water Main Improvements on Lowell Street Continue

Construction activity along Summer Street, Lowell Street, and Maple Street as part of a Mass. Water Resources Authority water main project has started again.

The water main bypass pipe is currently being installed and the transfer of services from the existing water main to the bypass will be starting Monday, May 1. Water main replacement work is set to begin on Wednesday, May 3.

There also is a separate water main replacement project being done by the Town of Burlington, that happens to be done within the boundaries of Lexington, that is in the same area.

To find out more about these projects, visit our website.

Remember to Walk Your Wheels in Lexington Center

For everyone's safety, please be reminded that riding bikes, scooters, skateboards, etc. on the sidewalks in Lexington Center is prohibited. If you have family members who ride through Lexington Center, please remind them of this message.

Lexington Center has a lot of foot traffic, and riding on the sidewalk creates safety issues, especially for those with mobility issues. Help keep everyone safe in the Center by dismounting before you reach the sidewalk.

COVID Vaccine Clinic Available Throughout May

Our Public Health and Human Services departments are offering bivalent COVID vaccines throughout the month of May. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new recommendations allow for an additional bivalent vaccine dose for adults ages 65+ and for people who are immunocompromised.

Vaccines will be given at the Lexington Community Center (39 Marrett Road), by appointment only. In-home vaccines will also be offered, if needed.

For appointments, dates and information, please call Wai Chong, RPh at 781-698-4847 or Kelliann Coleman, RN at 781-698-4509.

Public Comment Period Open for Rte. 128 Land Use and Transportation Study Findings

During peak times, over 6,000 vehicles per direction per hour travel through Lexington on Rte 128. With more than 6 million square feet of new commercial development along this corridor planned, MassDOT has been studying transportation and other needs along this corridor.

The final draft report from the Route 128/I95 Land Use and Transportation Study is now available for public comment. To read the study and recommendations and learn how this could impact Lexington, visit the State's website.

Public comments will be open through May 18.

Read the report and leave feedback.

Observations Needed for the 2023 Lexington City Nature Challenge

Lexington is once again participating in the City Nature Challenge: a worldwide event when participants document as many wild organisms as possible. Observations can be WILD plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, etc., or even evidence of those organisms like tracks, scat or feathers. Grab your smart phone or camera and head outdoors to participate in the challenge!

The event takes place Friday, April 28 through Monday, May 1 and observations can be recorded via the iNaturalist App on a smartphone.

In 2022, Lexington had 836 Observations, 307 Species and 49 Observers during the City Nature Challenge. Let's see if we can double those numbers this year!

How to Participate:

Step 1: Download the iNaturalist app from the App Store or Google Play

Step 2: Find and photograph wild observations anywhere in Lexington

Step 2: Share your observations in the iNaturalist app.

Step 4: Learn more as your find gets identified

Watch the 2023 City Nature Challenge Video

Join a Guided Walk for the City Nature Challenge. Join us for the guided walks to learn more about how you can contribute to the worldwide database of living things. To register, please email Amber Carr.

Saturday, April 29 at 1:00 PM: Willard's Woods North Street entrance

Sunday, April 30 at 1:00 PM: Whipple Hill Winchester Drive entrance (overflow parking along Berkshire Drive)

Upcoming Conservation Walks

Garlic Mustard Pull at Lincoln Park

May 6 from 2 until 4 pm

Garlic mustard seeds can take up to seven years to sprout, requiring repeated efforts to control and eradicate this aggressive invasive species. Come join CLC’s multi-year effort to pull this year’s crop from along the pathways in Lincoln Park. Bring gardening gloves. Steady rain cancels. Meet at the Fitness Path entrance on Middleby Rd across from the entrance to Bridge School, where you may park.

Leader: Keith Ohmart ~ 781-862-6216, kohmart@verizon.net

Birding Lower Vine Brook

May 7, from 7 until 9 am

Lower Vine Brook can be a fantastic area to see a nice selection of warblers, beautiful small tropical birds that migrate north at this time of year. They will eventually reach the forests of northern New England and Canada to breed, but if weather and foliage are right, you may see a dozen species here in a single morning. Dress for the weather (boots if it’s wet) and bring binoculars and a bird ID book, or app. Children with adults are welcome. No dogs please. Rain or lightning will cancel the event; if conditions are uncertain, please call the walk leader. Meet at the entrance to Lower Vine Brook conservation area opposite 93 Vine St.

Leader: Harry West ~ 617-461-9500, hwest2020@gmail.com

Lexpress Walk Series #1 North Street to Depot Square via Lower Vine Brook

May 9 from 9:30 am until 12 noon

This approximate 2.5 mile walk will trace the course of Vine Brook to where it emerges from under the Town Center at Hayes Lane via gentle woods trails and a paved bicycle path. Meet your guide in time to catch the 9:30 am B Lexpress bus in front of the Depot. Steady rain cancels.

Registration is required – Lexington Community Center, 781-698-4840.

Leader: Keith Ohmart ~ kohmart@verizon.net

COVID-19 Data; Test Kits Available at Town Buildings

The Lexington Office of Public Health will end weekly COVID updates as of May 5.

View Lexington’s case numbers

View the State’s COVID-19 dashboard

Test Kits Available

Free at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits are available at Town buildings across Lexington. Town buildings have free test kits that expire in August 2023. Be sure to check the date on your test kit before using.

You can pick up a test at the following locations: