Winning Projects Selected in Lexington's First-Ever Participatory Budgeting Cycle

The Select Board allocated $500,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for Lexington's first-ever Participatory Budgeting (PB) cycle in 2022. For 6 weeks between February-April 2023, residents voted for their favorite community improvements projects that were proposed by their neighbors, and then ranked their choices in order of preference.

At their meeting on April 10, 2023, the Select Board approved an additional $5,000 of funding, so that the top four projects could be selected at $505,000, rather than having only three projects totaling $420,000.

Winning Projects

The winning projects were selected by the votes of 1,650 residents. Voters of all ages were able to cast a ballot. Only one vote per person was allowed. The winning projects took into account the weighted total based on voters project ranking.

Flashing Lights at Crosswalks and Bike Path - $250,000
Improvements to Conservation Land - $100,000
Benches and Picnic Tables at Open Spaces - $70,000
Dog Park - $85,000

For more information, visit our Participatory Budgeting webpage.

Construction Activity Near the Battle Green and in Lexington Center

Construction on the Battle Green Streetscape Project has begun.

The project includes sidewalk improvements within the Battle Green, as well as sidewalk and roadway improvements along Mass. Ave, Harrington Rd., and Bedford St. The project includes a roundabout at the intersection of Bedford St. / Harrington Rd. / Hancock St.

The goals of the project include pedestrian and bicycle safety, vehicular safety, and improved connectivity and accessibility.

Check for construction updates.

Center Streetscape Sidewalks

Additional funding was approved for additional sidewalk improvements adjacent to last year's Center Streetscape Project. Work on these sidewalk improvements is set to begin on April 24.

The locations are on the building side of the following streets:

Meriam Street from Mass. Ave. to the driveway to Depot Place
Depot Square from Mass. Ave. to the afore mentioned driveway
On the other side from Mass. Ave. to the entrance to the parking lot
along Edison way from Mass. Ave. to the first exit from the parking lot

See map for locations.

No road closures are expected, but parking will be affected. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times but may be rerouted around areas while crews are working.

Annual Town Meeting Continues Next Week

After a week-long break for school vacation, Town Meeting will reconvene on Monday, April 24 at 7:30 PM.

On April 24, Town Meeting is slated to take up the following articles:

Article 40 - Amend Section 135-4.4 of the Zoning Bylaw - Reduce Residential Gross Floor (Citizen Petition)
Article 12 - Appropriate for Municipal Capital Projects and Equipment (items not on consent agenda):
12a - All Terrain Vehicle - Forestry
12b - TMOD Implementation - Permit and progress tracking
12d - Bedford St and Hartwell Ave long-range transportation improvements
12l - Municipal parking lot improvements
12m - New sidewalk installations

See the proposed Town Meeting schedule as of April 19.

Important Town Meeting Links

View the 2023 ATM Warrant (the articles to be considered at the ATM)

View the articles, motions and other documents and presentations

View the FY2024 Recommended Budget and Financing Plan

Ask a question about a warrant article

View answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more at LexingtonMA.gov/2023ATM

Be a Part of the Process; Serve on a Town Committee! Submit Your Application by April 28

We're looking for volunteers to fill vacancies on a number of boards/committees. Your unique skills and experiences can shape the future of Lexington!

Submit your application materials by April 28.

Serving on a Town board/committee is a great way to:

Get involved in the community
Meet your neighbors
Share your expertise
Help make decisions that make Lexington a great place to live, work, and visit

There are openings on boards/committees focusing on topics like:

Housing
Recreation
Conservation

...and much more!

See committee openings and how to apply!

Congratulations to this Year's Patriots' Day Award Winners!

On Patriots' Day, several awards are given to members of the community. Congratulations to the 2023 award winners:

Robert J. Burbidge, recipient of the White Tricorne Hat (presented by the Lexington Lions Club)

Ella J. Lucente & Shruti Pokharna, recipients of the Pat Flynn Outstanding Youth Award

Fran Ludwig, recipient of the Minuteman Cane Award

Have You Registered Your Dog Yet? Late Fees Now in Place

State law requires all dog owners to license their dog(s). The last day to register a dog in Lexington (without getting late fees) was last Friday, April 14.

Dog owners who haven't registered their dog will begin to incur late fees which will increase each week:

Getting a Dog License

You must have proof of a rabies vaccination in order to get a license for your dog
If we have a current rabies certificate on file for your dog - that is, one with an expiration date after April 14, you can pay online and receive your license tag in the mail
If this is a new dog, or we don't have a current rabies certificate, you must fill out the online application and mail or bring it to the Town Clerk's Office, 1625 Mass. Ave.

Questions?

For questions, contact the Town Clerk's Office by calling 781-698-4558, or emailing them .

Webinar on Tenants' Rights and Protections on April 27

Join MetroWest Legal Services for a presentation to better understand your rights and protections as a renter.

This presentation will cover information regarding the eviction process & procedures, reasonable accommodations, tenant rights, and housing search resources.

April 27, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Via Zoom webinar

(Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email with details and instruction on how to join the webinar.)

If you do not have access to a computer, or need assistance with registration, please contact Jen at 978-287-1091 or JenP@RHSOhousing.org.

Open to ALL renters in the Regional Housing Services Office (RHSO) service areas: Acton, Bedford, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Maynard, Sudbury, Wayland, and Weston only.

Get Your Steps In! Walk Mass Challenge Kick-Off Event on April 28

Lexington's Senior Services Division and Recreation & Community Programs Department are hosting a kick-off event for the Walk Mass Challenge.

April 28, 12 until 2PM

Center Recreation Complex, Worthen Road

Walk Massachusetts is a community-wide walking challenge running May 1 - October 31, 2023 and is open to community members aged 18+.

Each participant chooses from one of four predetermined challenges which are based on distance or frequency. Those who complete the challenge receive raffle prize entries for themselves and their council on aging. Individual prizes include gift cards of Visa ($50), Amazon ($25) and Dunkin’ ($10). Councils on aging prize levels range $250-1,000!

Originally designed for adults aged 60 and above, this annual program run by the Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) is now an intergenerational initiative. Anyone aged 18-59 years old is encouraged to participate by walking and sponsoring an older adult of their choice!

Visit www.walkmachallenge.com for more information.

Upcoming Conservation Walks

Butterfly Walk, Arlington’s Great Meadows

April 23 at 11AM

This 183-acre wet meadow is the largest piece of undeveloped land in the Arlington/Lexington area. The meadow is home to host plants for many overwintering insect larvae/pupae. Target species: Henry’s and Brown Elfins. Attendees may continue on to Horn Pond Mountain in Woburn for more Brown Elfins and other butterflies. Co-sponsored by the Mass Butterfly Club.

Park at the entrance to Lexington Meadows townhomes, end of Emerson Gardens Rd. (Use Emerson Gardens Rd. for overflow parking.) More than light rain cancels.

Leader: Tom Whelan ~ 781-915-9988, tom@whelanphoto.com

ACROSS Lexington Session 1

April 30 from 2 to 4PM

Begin your exploration of the ACROSS Lexington Trail System with a 2.5-mile easy walk along Route C. This loop connects Arlington Great Meadows with the western edge of the recently renovated trails at the Arlington Reservoir. There might be time to peek into LexFarm. The walk will include easy unpaved trails as well as paved streets and sidewalks. Some trails may be wet, so wear appropriate shoes. Heavy rain cancels.

Meet in the parking lot of the Waldorf School, 735 Massachusetts Avenue.

Leader: Bob Hausslein ~ 781-862-9102, rhausslein@rcn.com

Select Board Signs Proclamations for National Library Week and Arbor Day

National Library Week is April 23-29

In recognition of the vital role libraries play in our community, the Select Board recently signed a proclamation declaring April 23-29, 2023 as National Library Week.

The Select Board encourages residents to join them in recognizing the wonderful staff of the Cary Memorial Library and to visit the library to enjoy the plentiful resources available.

Arbor Day is April 28

To raise awareness of the important place trees have in our community, the Select Board has signed a proclamation declaring April 28 as Arbor Day in Lexington.

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: