Hello, Lexington!
Good morning and welcome to LexObserver’s Friday news roundup!
Thank you so much to everyone who has already filled out our six-minute anonymous reader survey — it’s a massive help to us in finding ways to be a better and more useful news source for you. If you haven’t had the chance to get to it yet, it’ll stay open until next Tuesday, Feb. 21, so you still have time and can take it here.
In other updates, if you missed last week’s community conversation, thanks to LexMedia you can watch the recording here! Below is a note from Erin Sandler-Rathe about how it went — and another event to look out for next month:
​The first collaboration between the LexObserver and the Lexington Lyceum Advocates was a huge success! On Feb. 9 about 50 attendees participated in our first Community Conversation. After listening to our panel of experts lay a foundation for discussion, everyone broke into small groups and shared ideas about how to include racial justice in Lexington Public Schools’ curriculum. The next Community Conversation — regarding civic engagement and community building — will take place March 7; we hope you can join us.
Erin’s second organizational update for today: We have a new team member to introduce!
We’re excited to welcome Julie McCay Turner as a Community Editor as of this week. Turner was one of three founders of The Bedford Citizen, a daily online community newspaper, where she served as Managing Editor for 10 years. We’re grateful to have her wealth of experience as we grow and bring you more community news and events.
Thanks so much for reading, and here’s this week’s news.
In this issue:
- In next month’s local election, few Lexingtonians are likely to go to the polls. Why?
- Select Board unanimously approves recommended FY24 budget, includes funding for one-year composting pilot.
- Proposed hangar expansion at Hanscom draws interest from surrounding towns at Feb. 6 forum.
- Lexington police log: Criminal sentencings for two Lexingtonians; hoax threat at Lexington Christian Academy this week.
- Real Estate Sales.
- Community Submissions.
In next month’s local election, few Lexingtonians are likely to go to the polls. Why?
Chances are, the vast majority of Lexington’s voters will not cast a ballot in the Annual Town Election on March 6. Like, 80 to 90 percent of them.Â
Keep reading
Select Board unanimously approves recommended FY24 budget, includes funding for one-year composting pilot
The Select Board approved allocating $216,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to finance a composting pilot program, which will cover the $108 cost of Black Earth Compost for 2,000 households for one year.
Keep reading
Proposed hangar expansion at Hanscom draws interest from surrounding towns at Feb. 6 forum
Currently operated by Massport, Hanscom Airfield now comprises 1,125 acres, with a significant new development on the horizon.Â
Keep reading
Lexington police log: Criminal sentencings for two Lexingtonians; hoax threat at Lexington Christian Academy this week
The hoax threat call targeting Lexington Christian Academy on Wednesday was one of several swatting incidents across the state and region this week.
Keep readingReal Estate Sales
Editor’s Note: We’re introducing a new feature this week — the weekly home sales in Lexington with data provided by special arrangement from Banker & Tradesman. Please send us any suggestions about how we can better provide this data.
Lexington Real Estate Sales: Week of Feb. 1
Community Submissions
To submit a community announcement, please contact community@lexobserver.org. Thank you!
Public invited to forum to discuss Hanscom Field on Feb. 21
The Hanscom Field Advisory Commission will hold a public forum on proposed expansion on Feb. 21.
Keep reading
League of Women Voters: First Friday Forum, March 3
League of Women Voters offers a discussion on the Spring Town Meeting warrant article about special permit residential development (SPRD).
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Designing a Garden for Children & Teaching Them About Gardening
Join Lexington Field and Garden Club for a special family-friendly presentation on showing children how to garden.
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ArtWalk: Spring Community Art Project
Pick up an artbunny from the Munroe Center and let your imagination loose! Spring Community Art Project open to all.
Keep reading
Nominees Sought for 2023 White Tricorne Hat Award
Lexington Lions Club seeks nominees for this year’s White Tricorne Hat award.
Keep readingPat Flynn Outstanding Youth Award Applications Available
Nominations are being accepted for the Pat Flynn Outstanding Youth Award for 2023.
Keep readingThat’s a wrap for today. Was this roundup useful to you? What do you want to see in this email next week? Let us know, and please ask your friends to sign up and DONATE too! Reach out to sophie@lexobserver.org with tips and questions anytime. As always, you can also check out and share our website, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages. Thanks so much for reading and have a great weekend!
Nicco Mele, Sophie Culpepper, Erin Sandler-Rathe, Susanne Beck and the LexObserver Team
Edited by Lauren Feeney and Nicco Mele
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