Your link to Lexington news, information, events, and more!
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Arbor Day is Friday, April 30 |
Arbor Day is on the last Friday in April, which just so happens to be today, April 30! It is a great time to remember that, aside from their natural beauty, trees provide a number of other benefits, including:
- Taming stormwater runoff
- Helping save energy
- Providing shade
- Capturing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen
In honor of Arbor Day, the Lexington Department of Public Works will be dedicating and planting three Red Oak trees.
Unfortunately, we can not have a public celebration this year, but you can visit our website to find resources to help you keep the spirit of Arbor Day strong.
Together, we can inspire the world to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Update, Week of April 26-30 |
Massachusetts remains first in the nation for first vaccine doses and total doses administered per capita, among states with more than 5 million people.
If you or your family members have yet to be vaccinated, we encourage you to sign up for an appointment.
People age 16 + who live, work, or study in Massachusetts can be now be vaccinated.
Pre-Register or Sign-Up for an Appointment
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Preregister at VaccineSignUp.mass.gov to be notified when it's your turn to schedule an appointment at one of 7 mass vaccination locations: Hynes Convention Center, Gillette Stadium, Reggie Lewis Center, DoubleTree Hotel in Danvers, Eastfield Mall in Springfield, Natick Mall and former Circuit City in Dartmouth.
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Use VaxFinder.mass.gov to search for appointments at pharmacies, health care providers, and other community locations
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Virtual Community Workshops May 13 & 27 |
As we continue with our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work, our DEI consultant, All Aces Inc., will be offering two virtual workshops to the community.
These workshops are open to all Lexington residents. You can sign up for just one, or you can take both if you’d like.
The workshops are capped at 100 participants per session.
Once you’ve registered, a Zoom link will be sent to your email.
Dignity Activity
May 13, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
A knowledge-building experience that will recreate conditions of oppression to facilitate a more complex understanding of these systems of oppression.
History in Context
May 27, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
This experiential activity will provide an engaging way to test our knowledge of history and align historical context with present day realities as it relates to racial equity.
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Center Streetscape Community Information Meeting May 5 |
The Center Streetscape Project is anticipated to begin in mid-late May. Over the next two construction seasons, the project will make improvements to safety, accessibility, landscaping, and more.
As we gear up for the start of construction, we're holding a community information session to present the latest information available to us, and to answer questions about the project. We'll cover topics including the construction schedule, parking/traffic, ways to stay informed during the project, and contact information in case you have questions in the
future.
Wednesday, May 5 - 6:30 PM
Presenters/panelists include:
- Lexington Engineering Division
- Lexington Economic Development Office
- Environmental Partners Group, Inc. (Owner's Construction Representative for the project).
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COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Available Through FEMA |
The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
Applications for funeral assistance will be accepted through a dedicated call center. COVID-19 Funeral Assistance will assist with expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation.
At this time, there is no deadline to apply for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance.
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Rain Barrels for Sale at Discounted Rate Through June 30 |
Once again the Town of Lexington, in partnership with The Great American Rain Barrel Co., is offering rain barrels at a discount.
Rain barrels helps:
- Save money on your water bill
- Reduce stormwater runoff
- Prevent soil erosion
- Conserve water
Pickup will be at the Lexington Compost Facility, 60 Hartwell Ave, beginning July 10 from 9-11 AM.
Barrels need to be ordered by June 30, 2021.
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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; Virtual Event on May 7 |
The Select Board has proclaimed the month of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in Lexington.
AAPI heritage month was celebrated in the US at least as early as 1978 to recognize the contributions and influence of AAPI persons as a part of the whole history, culture, and achievements in the US.
Uncovering Anti-Asian Racism - Stories of Racial/Social Justice Event on May 7
Join us for a virtual event focused on uncovering anti-Asian racism through storytelling with True Story Theater.
May 7 - 7-8:45PM
Members of the audience will be invited to share stories about anti-Asian racism (in all forms, in all settings), and stories of what people have done that has been meaningful or helpful. Actors will transform the stories improvisationally; actors will include people of various races, including Asian American.
This event is co-sponsored by Cary Memorial Library and the Lexington Human Services Department.
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Noise Control for Landscape Maintenance - Community Meeting on May 5 |
The Noise Advisory Committee (NAC) will be holding a meeting to gather input from both landscapers, as well as the community at-large, on how best to reduce noise related to landscape maintenance.
May 5, 7:00 PM
The NAC advises the Select Board about ways to reduce noise problems and to improve enforcement of the noise by-law. The Select Board decides whether to endorse the NAC’s proposals, and Town Meeting decides whether to accept them. The NAC expects to present a recommendation to the Select Board by July 2021 for consideration by the special fall Town Meeting.
You can also send your suggestions to the Committee online:
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Bike, Walk, n' Bus Around Lexington and Beyond! Many Events Coming Up in May |
There are a number of ways to get around Lexington without needing a car. Biking via the Minuteman Bikeway, walking the ACROSS Lexington trail network, and taking Lexpress bus service, are just a few of the ways to get around without a car.
We have a number of events coming up to get you ready for the warmer weather, and to
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Inclusive Recreation Programming, Services Continue to Grow in 2021 |
While the doors to the Community Center have been closed to the public for much of 2020 and into 2021, the Recreation and Community Programs Department has continued to expand inclusive programs, services, and initiatives.
Over the past year, the Department has been involved in collaborations with other Town departments and community organizations, conducting outreach, and identifying new opportunities for community members of all ages and abilities both virtually and in person.
The Department is excited to continue its work to identify more opportunities for inclusive programming.
What is Therapeutic Recreation?
Therapeutic Recreation is a process that utilizes recreation and leisure programming as a means to enhance/maintain physical, cognitive, social, emotional and spiritual domains. Therapeutic Recreation provides specialized and inclusive programs for individuals of all abilities.
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Join Us For 'How to Find Peace in Times of Uncertainty', Virtual Event on May 11 |
May is Mental Health Month, and the Mental Health Task Force is sponsoring a virtual event: How to Find Peace in Times of Uncertainty
May 11 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Presented by Mike Veny, International Mental Health Speaker and Bestselling author of
Transforming Stigma: How to Become a Mental Wellness Superhero
What you will learn:
- How to function in a world of stress, anxiety & loneliness
- Actionable steps to improve your mental well-being
- How negative emotions, e.g. anger, grief and fear, can benefit you
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Virtual QPR Suicide Prevention Training May 10, 12 and 14 |
Also as part of Mental Health Month, the Human Services Department will host Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) trainings for the community.
QPR — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. The QPR Institute created this model and the Town of Lexington Human Services Department will be providing hour and 15 minute long QPR community Gatekeeper trainings to those who might be interested.
Monday, May 10 from 6:00 - 7:15PM
Wednesday, May 12, from 1:00 - 2:15 PM
Friday, May 14, from 8:00 - 9:15 AM
If you are interested in attending, please contact Tony Serio in the Human Services Department.
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SCHOOL NEWS
Staying connected to the Lexington Public Schools
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School Superintendent Dr. Julie Hackett regularly shares a Superintendent's Report with the School Committee, and in an effort to keep residents connected to the schools, we share it through this newsletter.
The most recent Superintendent's Report covers:
- Lexington High School (LHS) teacher invited to present at 2021 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Update
- Update on LHS Statement of Interest for a New High School Building
- LHS 2021 Graduation Plans
- Central Office Restructuring Plan
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For up to the minute news and information from the Town of Lexington, follow us on Twitter and/or "like" us on Facebook: |
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Lexington Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
*We are currently closed to the public, but are available remotely.
Hours:
Mon., Wed., Thurs.: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tues.: 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Fri.: 8:30 AM -1:00 PM
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