SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCE NEWSLETTER

October 2023

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LexElectrify Energy Fair - Saturday, October 28

Join your neighbors at the LexElectrify Energy Fair! At the Energy Fair, you can learn what steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint by transitioning away from fossil fuels. You'll have the opportunity to:

• Meet heat pump and solar installers
• See demonstrations of electric home appliances and landscaping equipment
• Schedule a free home energy assessment
• Get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle at the EV Showcase
• Learn about financial incentives and support
• And more!

Saturday, October 28

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Lexington High School

The Energy Fair supports the LexElectrify campaign, a community-wide effort to empower homeowners, renters, and businesses to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from the building and transportation sectors. Achieving this goal will require electrifying existing systems to eliminate the use of fossil fuels, while simultaneously transitioning to renewable energy to ensure these systems are powered by electricity sourced from 100% renewable energy.

Get a Sneak Peak of What You'll Learn at the Energy Fair

Did you miss LexCAN's LexElectrify launch event last month? The Town's Sustainability & Resilience Officer and Clean Heat Outreach Specialist gave a presentation with the information you need to start electrifying your home today! View the slides and recording from the event.

LexElectrify is a partnership between the Town of Lexington Sustainability & Resilience and LexCAN.

Request a LexElectrify Lawn Sign

Have you taken a climate-friendly step you'd be willing to talk to your neighbors about? Invite neighbor-to-neighbor learning by displaying a lawn sign at your home that shares what steps you have taken:

• Weatherizing your home
• Installing solar
• Installing heat pumps
• Using an electric vehicle

Maybe all four! By displaying a yard sign outside your house, you make climate action visible and invite neighbors to learn more about what they can do.

Get a Yard Sign

1. Send an email to lexcleanheat@lexingtonma.gov to get a yard sign
2. Check the boxes for the actions you have taken
3. Display the sign outside your home and talk to your neighbors!

Take Action during Energy Efficiency Month

October is Energy Efficiency Month! One of the most effective ways to make your home more energy efficient is to make sure it is properly insulated. A well insulated home is more comfortable, less costly to operate, and uses less energy. Here's what you can do:

1. Schedule a free home energy assessment to get started
2. Take advantage of no cost air sealing and 75-100% off approved insulation improvements through Mass Save
3. Check out these heating and cooling tips to maximize the efficiency of your systems

Ready to go beyond insulation? The LexElectrify Checklist can help you make a plan to electrify your home.

Reminder: Locks Added to Compost Drop Off Bins to Avoid Contamination

Do you use the community compost drop off bins? If so (or if you’d like to start!), there are a few changes you should know about. First, locks have been added to the bins to reduce contamination. This is not meant to reduce participation—all residents are welcome and encouraged to use the bins at no cost.

To get the combination to the locks, please register at www.lexingtonma.gov/foodcomposting.

Second, there have been recent additions to what you can compost in these bins. You can now compost meat, bones, dairy, and more. Refer to the new signs at the drop off locations or Black Earth’s Composting Guide, to see what you can drop off.

EVENTS

Youth Bike Event

Give your kids the confidence they need to get around on bikes, instead of cars, with this upcoming youth bike workshop.

October 7: Bike Smart for Youth

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Grades 4 & 5)

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Grades 6-8)

Lexington Children's Place

20 Pelham Rd

$10

This event is co-hosted by Cary Library and the Lexington Field and Garden Club.

Cary Library: A Bioplan for Lexington

Botanist, medical-biochemist, and author Diana Beresford-Kroeger will talk about the plants and trees that need to go into the ground in Lexington, Massachusetts and the surrounding area for the health and well-being of its residents and for the long-term sustainability of life on Earth. If you are a gardener or not, everyone can play a role in replanting the global forest.

Wednesday, October 11

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Virtual

Diana Beresford-Kroeger is a world recognized author, medical biochemist, botanist and climate change visionary. She possesses a unique understanding of modern western science and ancient Celtic knowledge. Orphaned in Ireland in her youth, Beresford-Kroeger was educated by her Irish elders who instructed her in the Brehon knowledge of plants and nature.

Safely Dispose of Hazardous Waste

Lexington is lucky to be home to the Minuteman Household Hazardous Product Collection Facility. You can help protect the environment by properly disposing of hazardous products at monthly collection days.

Saturday, October 14

9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Hartwell Compost Facility

60 Hartwell Ave

The full list of accepted items can be found on the Town website. Pre-registration is required to drop of waste.

Dose of Nature Walks

Conservation and Public Health staff have been hosting guided tours of the many Conservation lands in Lexington. Don't miss the last one this month!

Tuesday, October 17

4:30 pm

Wright Farm (Grove Street Entrance)

The walks are about an hour long and at a slow/moderate pace. You will walk for short periods and take regular breaks to stop, discuss what you observe, ask/answer questions, etc. The walks are geared towards those curious about nature and beginner naturalists.

Heavy rain cancels. Registration is not required. 

The Pumpkin Smash is sponsored by the Town of Lexington and the LPS Green Teams.

Save the Date: Pumpkin Smash!

It's pumpkin season! What will you do with your pumpkin after Halloween? You could put it in with your yard waste or compost, but how much more fun would it be to smash it? Join us at Lincoln Park to dispose of your pumpkin in a fun AND responsible way. All smashed pumpkins will be composted by Black Earth Compost.

Friday, November 5

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Lincoln Park

When you compost your pumpkin, you are:

• Reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions
• Contributing to creating healthy soils

Pumpkins of any size are welcome, but please remove candles, paint and glitter.

QUICK LINKS

Questions? 

Maggie Peard

Sustainability & Resilience Officer

(781) 698-4538

mpeard@lexingtonma.gov

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