Link to Lexington

LINK TO LEXINGTON

Your link to Lexington news, information, events, and more!

State Launches Call Center for Seniors 75+; Vaccine Distribution Update

The State recently launched a Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line for residents ages 75+ to help navigate the online appointment process.

Residents ages 75+ can call 2-1-1 on their land line or mobile phone for assistance scheduling vaccine appointments.

It's free, confidential, and multilingual. Representatives are available in English and Spanish, Monday-Friday 8:30AM-5:00PM

**Please note that due to high call volume, you may have to wait on hold.

Representatives only have access to the same information as the public. They are available for the purpose of helping you navigate the website and making an appointment for a vaccine.

If there are no appointments available, eligible applicants will be able to be placed on a call back list and receive a call when an appointment becomes available.

Vaccine Update in Lexington

The Town of Lexington was notified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) that it will receive a very limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine during the month of February. Lexington’s allotment is based on the MDPH’s formula for vaccine distribution to communities.

We share the public’s disappointment with the minimal amount of vaccine available to the community, and we are hoping MDPH will be able to increase our allotment in future weeks.

With this extremely limited amount of vaccine, Town leaders have made the decision to begin vaccinating residents ages 75+ in properties managed by the Lexington Housing Authority.

Help Us Preserve Our Fields, Courts, and Track

Please help us preserve our fields, courts, and track by staying off them when they are snow covered.

Snow removal from fields, courts, and track is not allowed
The use of any fields, courts, or track is not allowed when covered in snow
Removal of snow causes damage and safety issues

For more information, read our Outdoor Recreation Facility Policy, or call 781-698-4800

Let's keep these community assets pristine, so we can enjoy them when better weather rolls around!

Curbside Service at Cary Library Resumes Tuesday, February 9

Cary Library is delighted to announce that it will be resuming its curbside Cary Out pickup service beginning Tuesday, February 9.

Library staff will begin checking-in backlogged materials over the next few days. You may begin to receive emails informing you that you have items ready for pickup.

For details, visit Cary Library's website.

Three Ways to Avoid COVID-19 Vaccine Scams

While COVID-19 vaccination details are getting worked out, here’s what you can be sure of:

You can’t pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine. That’s a scam.

You can’t pay to get early access to the vaccine. That’s a scam.

Nobody legitimate will call about the vaccine and ask for your Social Security, bank account, or credit card number. That’s a scam.

Ignore any vaccine offers that say different, or that ask for personal or financial information.

For more information, visit the Federal Trade Commission's website.

Shoveling Our Hydrants Could Help Save a Home and/or Life

With winter in full-swing, we'd like to remind the public that shoveling out fire hydrants can give firefighters valuable time when responding to a fire.

You can perform a crucial public service that protects yourself, your family, and your neighbors by taking the responsibility for shoveling out fire hydrants near your home during and after a snowstorm.

Know the location of the nearest fire hydrants in your neighborhood. We have a map of hydrants in Lexington:
Visit LexingtonMA.gov/GISmaps
Select Lexington Interactive GIS
Select "themes" at the top right-hand section of the page
On your mobile phone it's an icon with three squares stacked on top of each other
Make sure the "utilities" layer is marked. Hydrants will display as red dots
You can search by address in the search bar at the top right-hand side after going through the steps above

Make sure hydrants are shoveled clear after each snowfall.

Clear the snow three feet around the hydrant, so firefighters have enough room to use the hydrant.

Capacity Restrictions For Businesses Increase to 40% as of 5AM Monday, Feb. 8

Governor Bake has announced that capacity restrictions currently set at 25% for many businesses will increase to 40% as of 5AM on Monday, February 8.

This includes restaurants, gyms, retail, museums, etc. Visit the State's website for a full list.

Talking with Teens About Healthy Relationships, Sexual Misconduct and Consent; Virtual Event Feb. 11

Speaker: Shafia Zaloom, Health Educator and Author of Sex, Teens and Everything in Between.

Moderator: Julie Fenn, Assistant Coordinator, P.E., Health, and Wellness, Lexington Public Schools

Thursday, February 11, 7-8:30 PM

Pre-register for this event

Shafia will discuss the importance of talking with your teen about the complexities of relationships, sexual harassment, navigating consent and self-advocacy. Learn how to have these ongoing conversations and prepare your teen for a healthy future.

Shafia’s book, Sex, Teens and Everything in Between has been reviewed as “the ultimate relationship guide for teens of all orientations and identities.”

Presentation is geared toward adult audience.

Sponsored by: LHS PTO, Diamond PTO and Clarke PTO

For any questions, please contact: upasnachhabra@hotmail.com, cowendesign@gmail.com

COVID-19 Data

Our Office of Public Health compiles COVID-19 data for our community and it is available on our website at LexingtonMA.gov/COVID19data

OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT

A new section showcasing short 1-2 minute videos explaining how we approach policing in our community

Officers can face any number of stressful and difficult situations while on-shift--some of which require split-second decisions to be made. This makes it critically important that they have the skills and training necessary to handle these situations properly.

In this week's video series, we talk about different training programs, the process for the LPD to become an accredited police department, and Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan talks about Restorative Justice and jail diversion programs.

Programming and Training

SCHOOL NEWS

Staying connected to the Lexington Public Schools

LHS Music Students Chosen for Competitive Honors Ensemble

The LHS Music Department had four students selected for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All Eastern Division Honors Ensembles! This is an exceptionally competitive process and to get accepted is a huge accomplishment!

In the All Eastern Orchestra, congratulations goes to Anita Keltche (Senior, Flute). LHS students who made it to the All Eastern Concert Band include: Marily Swinger (Junior, Flute); Heath Nevis (Junior, French Horn), and Justin Sjodin (Junior, Tuba). These musicians were selected from 1,150 All-State applicants and ranked by their state presidents.

LPS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Update

Last month, the Inclusion Community Input Team reconvened to discuss promoting inclusion in the hybrid and remote learning environments. The team of approximately three dozen parents, teachers, and administrators provided input on the possibilities and opportunities we can capitalize on during this unique time, creating this guidance that was circulated to leadership throughout the district.

Learn More

To read more about these stories, and others, read the Superintendent's Report.