Town Of Lexington : Link To Lexington - February 24, 2023

Government and Politics

February 24, 2023

Cast Your Vote Now for Community Improvement Projects in Lexington’s First-Ever Participatory Budget Cycle

Lexington’s first-ever Participatory Budgeting (PB for short) cycle has reached the Voting Phase! The community will choose from a number of projects proposed by their neighbors that adds up to the $500,000 made available for this cycle. The $500,000 was made available thanks to the Select Board allocating a portion of the Town's American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Voting is open to residents of all ages. One vote per-person.

The deadline to vote is April 7, 2023.

Vote on your favorite projects!

For those who would like to vote, but don’t have a computer or internet access at home, there is free internet and computer access at Cary Library, 1874 Massachusetts Avenue.

More information is available on our Participatory Budgeting webpage. If you have any questions about the PB process, please contact Sean Dugan in the Town Manager’s Office at 781-698-4540, or via email.

What is Participatory Budgeting?

PB is a process where a certain amount of public money is set aside for the community to directly decide how it’s spent (this is different than the Town’s annual operating and capital budgets). In this case, it is $500,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds.

PB is a four-step process:

Submit Ideas - Community submits ideas on how to spend the funds

Proposal Development - Town staff vet ideas for cost and feasibility and develop them into proposals that can be voted on. The Select Board then narrows the list of projects down to a smaller number for the public to vote on.

Vote on Proposals – The community votes on their favorite proposals

Implementation - Winning projects are implemented

Town Manager Hosts First 'Java with Jim' Community Coffee Hour March 1

Join Town Manager Jim Malloy for the first ‘Java with Jim’, a series of quarterly community meetings where he will share updates on what’s happening in town, and hear from members of the community. This is a great opportunity to ask questions about Town projects, programs, and/or services, or to share compliments or concerns directly with the Town Manager.

Wednesday, March 1, 9-10 AM

In the foyer of Cary Memorial Building

1605 Massachusetts Avenue

Jim encourages anyone and everyone in the community to meet him and join in on the conversation!

Light refreshments will be available.

Note: to ensure as many community members as possible are able to attend a 'Java with Jim', future meetings will rotate between being in-person and virtual, as well as being in the morning and the evening.

Upcoming Meeting on Lincoln Field Resurfacing March 1

The Recreation Committee is hosting an upcoming community meeting to share proposed project details for improvements to Lincoln Field. The Committee is seeking feedback from the neighborhood and community at large.

Mar. 1, 7:00 PM via Zoom or in-person at the Community Center, 39 Marrett Rd.

Discussion on the athletic playing surfaces due for end of life replacement.

We invite you to share your opinions as we approach Annual Town Meeting to request funding.

You may also share your feedback by emailing Department staff at [email protected] or the Recreation Committee at [email protected].

Fiscal Year 2024 Recommended Budget Now Available Online

The Fiscal Year 2024 Recommended Budget and Finance Plan (a.k.a. "the Brown Book") is now available online.

View the 2024 Recommended Budget and Financing Plan (Brown Book).

About the Budget

The annual budget is a critically important task undertaken each year, and it is the roadmap for how residents' tax dollars are spent.

The Town's budget is developed through a highly collaborative and public process that engages the Select Board, the School Committee, the Appropriation Committee, the Capital Expenditures Committee, the Town and School staff, and residents.

Learn more about the budget process at LexingtonMA.gov/budget

Get Involved in Patriots' Day this April!

Patriots' Day is fast approaching, with our annual festivities taking place this year between Sat., April 15 and Mon., April 17. The Town Celebrations Committee is looking for Parade Sponsors and Parade Ambassadors to help make the events even better!

Parade Ambassadors

Parade Ambassadors are volunteers that march in teams of two or three in front off a parade unit, carrying a banner naming the unit's sponsor. No experience necessary, but you must be at least 12 years old. High school students earn 4 hours of community service credit.

Learn more about being a Parade Ambassador.

Parade Sponsorship

Help underwrite the costs of bringing wonderful bands, marching units and floats to Lexington for our parade. Individuals, families, groups and businesses are welcome to be parade sponsors.

It's a great way to show your support for our community while getting recognition for your contribution.

To support the parade as a Sponsor, please complete our online form or use the fillable PDF form.

Sponsorship deadline is March 17, 2023.

Learn more about parade sponsorship.

Select Board Agenda for February 27

The Select Board's next regularly scheduled meeting is on Monday, February 27 at 6:00 PM via hybrid participation via Zoom, and in person at the Town Office Building.

Among other items, the items for individual consideration include:

-Application: Common Victualler License - Taipei Gourmet LLC d/b/a Taipei Gourmet, 211 Massachusetts Avenue

-Application: Common Victualler License - BIY Foods LLC d/b/a BIY Foods, 317 Woburn Street

-Open Space and Recreation Plan Review

-Discussion on State Earmark for Economic Development in Lexington Center - Special Events

-Presentations on Various Articles for 2023 Annual Town Meeting

-ARPA Requests - Technology for Town Meeting and Select Board Meeting Room

-Authorize Town Manager to Accept Bids for Community Choice Program

-Select Board Liaison Assignment to Ad Hoc Transportation Committee and Select Board Member Appointment to Lexington Affordable Housing Trust Board of Trustees

-Discussion of Naming of Fire Headquarters for Ken Donnelly

View the complete agenda and agenda packet.

COVID-19 Data; New Test Kits Available at Town Buildings; Old Test Kit Expiring Soon

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

Test Kits Available

Free at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits are available at Town buildings across Lexington. Town buildings received a new shipment of tests that expire in August 2023. Old test kits that were picked up prior to mid-January 2023 are set to expire on January 26, 2023. Be sure to check the date on your test kit before using.

You can pick up a test at the following locations:

-Town Office Building (Health Office) - 1625 Massachusetts Avenue

-Fire Department - 45 Bedford Street

-Police Department - 173 Bedford Street

-Community Center - 39 Marrett Road

-Visitors Center - 1875 Massachusetts Avenue

-Public Services Building - 201 Bedford Street

Test kits are available during regular business hours (Police Dept. open 24/7) while supplies last.

For questions, contact the Office of Public Health at 781-698-4533.

JOBS

-Heavy Equipment Operator

-Recreation Supervisor