During the Patriots Day ceremonies earlier this week, the Select Board presented awards to three deserving residents:

• Minuteman Cane Award: Leona Martin
• Outstanding Youth Award: Madelyn C. Lucente
• Outstanding Youth Award: Skylar K. Spencer

Leona Martin was awarded the 2022 Minuteman Cane Award in recognition of her many years of service and dedication to the promotion of civil rights and multiculturalism in Lexington.

Both recipients of the Outstanding Youth of Lexington Award are excellent students, dedicated volunteers, strong role models, and they display outstanding leadership.

Additionally, Select Board Chair Jill Hai read a proclamation in support of the Ukrainian people during the ceremony. Read the proclamation.

Article 10 of Special Town Meeting 2021-1, "Reducing Noise From Landscape Maintenance Equipment," was passed by Town Meeting on November 18, 2021. It was affirmed by Lexington residents in a referendum vote on March 7, 2022.

Included in this bylaw:

• Sets new allowed hours for use of landscape maintenance equipment
• Seasonal restrictions are imposed on gas-powered leaf blowers
• The use of gas-powered leaf blowers will be phased out

Visit our web page on this bylaw to learn more.

Staff from our Human Services Department will be offering free QPR training as part of Mental Health Month in May.

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. 

Upcoming free, virtual QPR trainings will be held on:

Monday, May 9 from 6:00PM - 7:15PM

Wednesday, May 11 from 1:00PM - 2:15PM

Friday, May 13 from 8:00AM - 9:15AM

To register, email Tony Serio in the Human Services Department.

About QPR

Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.

Each year thousands of Americans are saying "Yes" to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor.

More Resources

The Human Services Department has additional suicide prevention resources available on our website.

There are two concurrent water main projects in the area of Lowell Street:

• A Town of Burlington project in Lexington, extending from the intersection of Adams Street and North Street, along North Street to Lowell Street, and down Lowell Street to the intersection of Maple Street

• A Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) project extending from the intersection of Maple Street and Lowell Street, down Lowell Street to Summer Street, and down Summer Street to Reed Street in Arlington.

These two projects will allow Burlington to more fully connect to the MWRA system. They will also benefit Lexington by replacing water mains at a greatly reduced cost to the Town, with improved water quality and reliability.

Learn more about these projects.

Recommendations for the Future of the Stone Building; Final Public Forum April 27

The Stone Building Feasibility/Re-Use Committee has been researching reuse ideas for the Stone Building, located at 735 Massachusetts Ave.

The Committee is holding the final of three public forums at which the they will be presenting their draft recommendations to be given to the Select Board for the future of the Stone Building.

Wednesday, April 27 - 7:30pm

Join via Zoom

Passcode: 022689

The forum will focus on:

• Review of Building Significance
• Market Demand
• Feasibility
• Conclusions and Next Steps
• Opportunity for Final Community Comments

Thank you for your continued interest in this historic building!

The Commission on Disability and the Human Rights Committee, in cooperation with the Town of Lexington, have formed a workgroup to study the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons with disabilities.

The workgroup wants input from persons with disabilities and their caregivers, as well as service providers (including but not limited to therapists, PCAs, government workers, transportation workers or others who provided any service during the pandemic to Lexington residents with disabilities). 

They want to learn how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected you; your day-to-day life, lived experiences, transportation, housing, safety, services, health, short/long term impacts, education, employment, public services, connection with town government, and anything else you want to share with us.

Input, stories, and feedback will be provided in a report to the Select Board to amplify awareness, educate the general public on these experiences and engage the leadership and our community to discuss how we can provide more support for persons with disabilities.

Learn more about this initiative, including how to participate.

Butterfly Walk, Arlington’s Great Meadows

Sunday May 1: 11 AM

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. 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

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Garlic Mustard Pull at Lincoln Park

Sunday May 1: 2-4 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 the multi-year effort to pull this year’s progeny 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

The Lexington Office of Public Health will update weekly COVID-19 case numbers each Friday. The data represented on the dashboard DOES NOT include at-home test results. The data only represents results of PCR and antigen tests verified through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

View Lexington’s case numbers

View the State’s COVID-19 dashboard

JOBS

• Crossing Guard
• Police Cadet
• Public Health Nurse
• Summer Conservation Field Supervisor and Crew
• Arborist
• Heavy Equipment Operator
• Stormwater Intern
• Information Coordinator
• Custodian

Visit LexingtonMA.gov/jobs for more information.

EQUITY OFFICER UPDATE

Diversity, equity, and inclusion information and resources from the Town's Chief Equity Officer

April is host to many religious, federal and cultural celebrations. The following are two month-long observances:

National Arab American Heritage Month “Celebrating the rich and diverse culture and contributions of the diverse population of Arab Americans, National Arab American Heritage Month has been observed during the month of April since 2017. An estimated 3.7 million Americans have Arab roots, according to the Arab American Institute, with ancestries traced to 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa."

Celebrate Diversity Month “Did you know that April is diversity month? It was officially designated as diversity month in 2004, and it strives to help people gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other and their differences. To celebrate April diversity celebrations, consider new ways you can integrate diversity into your life.” - (source: diversityresources.com)

Department Spotlight - Human Services

The Human Services Department serves residents across the lifespan, providing assistance with basic needs, connection to vital services, transportation options, and enrichment through social and educational programs. Always looking to improve and better serve the community, the Department has been focused on learning how Lexington residents are impacted by the pandemic and expanding services to address the needs identified. The Department is committed to reducing bias in their hiring practices and embracing diversity as a value-add to its staff composition and delivery of services.

Improving Access to Mental Health

The Department, along with the School Counseling Department, lead the Town's Mental Health Task Force. Recently the Task Force completed a mental health assessment, which provided much-needed information and data on the adult population in Lexington and serves as a foundation on which to build future programming and identification of needs.

Due to long wait times for mental health providers, the Department is working on strategies to help residents get the services they need, when they need them. This includes offering short-term therapy services, as well as adding a mental health clinician with the help of American Rescue Plan Act funds.

In the last 2-3 years, the Department has served an estimated 5,500-6,000 residents through its veterans, transportation, senior, and youth and family services. That’s an average of 120 resident interactions per week!

Lastly, May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the Department has a full lineup of programs. Please check out their webpage for details! 

Thank you to the team for keeping all of us healthy and connected!

CALENDARS

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