Lexington
Massachusetts
Town Of Link to Lexington News : June 17, 2022
Government and Politics
June 20, 2022
From: Town Of LexingtonYour link to Lexington news, information, events, and more!
Bylaw Regulating Landscape Maintenance Equipment is Now In Effect
A bylaw regulating noise from landscape maintenance equipment in Lexington during certain times is now in effect. The bylaw also places seasonal restrictions on gas-powered leaf blowers (GLB), with an eventual phase-out of GLBs by 2025 for commercial landscapers.
What to Know
This bylaw adds the following provisions to the Town’s existing Noise Bylaw:
- Sets new allowed hours for the use of landscape maintenance equipment:
Landscapers
- Weekdays, 7 AM to 6 PM
- Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM
Residents
- Weekdays, 7 AM to 8 PM
- Weekends and legal holidays, 9 AM to 5 PM
- Seasonal restrictions are imposed on gas-powered leaf blowers:
Gas-powered leaf blower use by any user is limited to the following designated fall and spring cleanup periods:
- Spring: March 15 to May 31
- Fall: September 15 to December 30
- The use of gas-powered leaf blowers will be phased out:
Effective March 15, 2025, the use of gas-powered leaf blowers by commercial landscapers will not be allowed. An exemption allows the continued use of wheeled leaf blowers powered by four-stroke engines on lots larger than 1 acre.
Residents will be allowed to use gas-powered leaf blowers on their own property until March 15, 2026.
Trash Delay; Town Offices Closed June 20 for Juneteenth
In observance of Juneteenth, the following building closures and service delays will be in place on Monday, June 20:
- All non-emergency Town Offices will be closed and no public meetings will be held
- Curbside trash/recycling collection will be on a 1 day delay. If your normal collection day is Monday, it will be Tuesday, etc. If your normal day is Friday, it will be Saturday.
- Cary Library will be closed
- The Community Center will be closed
Learn more about the observance of Juneteenth in the Equity Officer Update below.
Select Board Approves Updated Fee Schedule for Building Dept. Permits
At their May 23, 2022 meeting, the Select Board approved a new fee schedule for the Building Department. The updated fee schedule goes into effect on September 1, 2022.
About the Fee Schedule
This is the first update to the fee schedule since 1993. Fees support technology, staff, transportation, utilities, among other necessities that keep the Department running smoothly.
The proposed increases are commensurate with fees in surrounding communities. Staff completed a comparative analysis and consulted with other communities and contractors.
Staff began this review in 2019 but held off on any increases to see if the pandemic would affect construction activity. Fortunately, construction activity has remained strong.
Upcoming Cycling Events for People of All Ages
Saturday, June 18, 1-4:30PM at Lexington Community Center
Gain skill and confidence in bicycling! Learn rules of the road, safety tips, practice handling skills, understand best bike fit, helmet fit, basics of bike maintenance, and enjoy an escorted on-bike road ride with others looking to build their cycling confidence! Bring helmet, bike, and closed-toe shoes. Class is led by a seasoned Certified Cycling Instructor.
Registration required. $49 Res/$59 Non-Res
Bike Rodeo (K-8th Grade)
Saturday, June 25, 10AM-2PM at Lexington Children’s Place
Learn all the rules of the road as a bicyclist in our obstacle course and multiple stations! A Bike Rodeo is a fun, hands-on way to learn how to handle a bike safely. Trained instructors will teach critical skills, and many stations will be available for students to gain info, education, and encouragement for bike riding. Participants will receive a Certificate of Achievement at the end, plus fun, fabulous and useful freebies! Helmets available for free to those who need them. We will also have a bike maintenance station and more! Bring a rideable bike, close-toed shoes, and a helmet.
Registration required, but this is a FREE event.
2021 Water Quality Report is Now Available
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), Lexington's water provider, has published their 2021 Water Quality Report.
The quality of Lexington's water continues to be excellent, meeting every state and federal standard.
View the 2021 Water Quality Report
Upcoming LGBTQ Pride Events in Lexington
Our Heroes and Impacts
Friday, June 24, 2022
7:00-8:30pm
All are welcome!
The LGBTQIA+ community has a long rich history in the world, in the United States, and in our local communities. What better way to celebrate Pride month than to honor the people, individually and collectively, who worked to make life better for us?
We are honored to bring you this event in which YOU can share your own stories, and the stories of people and events you have witnessed, for True Story Theater actors to reenact. If you don't have stories, you can watch and learn in an engaging improv theater format.
Sponsored by LexPride, Lexington Historical Society, Lexington Senior Services, Arlington Council on Aging, Arlington LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Commission—and featuring True Story Theater. Funded by a grant from the Dana Home Foundation.
COVID-19 Data
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 the State’s COVID-19 dashboard
Equity Officer Update
What is Juneteenth, and why do we celebrate?
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863 to free enslaved African Americans in secessionist states. However, enslaved people in Galveston, Texas would not learn of their freedom until 2 years later on June 19, 1865.
Juneteenth, or Juneteenth National Independence Day, is also called Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Black Independence Day, and Juneteenth Independence Day. The commemoration celebrates the end of slavery in the US after the Civil War.
The murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020 sparked nationwide protests that highlighted the ongoing racial inequities in the justice system resulting with a surge of interest for Juneteenth.
On June 15, 2021, the US Senate unanimously passed The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law on June 17, 2021, making Juneteenth the 11th federally-recognized holiday.
The day is also celebrated outside the United States, used by organizations in a number of countries to recognize the end of slavery and to honor the culture and achievements of African Americans.
Jobs
- Arborist
- Environmental Seasonal Intern
- Administrative Assistant (FT)
- Administrative Assistant (PT)
Visit LexingtonMA.gov/jobs for more information.