Our letters to the editor page is meant to be an engaging exchange of ideas representing different perspectives. In general, our guidelines are simply a max of about 400 words, on issues relating specifically to Lexington, written in a respectful tone. We seek to represent a range of perspectives and reserve the right to choose which letters to publish based on our editorial needs and judgment.
Letters may be edited for length and clarity. While we don’t have the capacity to fact check all letters, we reserve the right to edit any factual errors we notice, and will reject letters that include blatant misinformation. We do not publish anonymous letters.
As we head into election season, we are more than happy to post letters from or about candidates that are focused on ideas and add to the conversation, but will not to publish posts that sound more like advertisements, or multiple letters that make similar points, since the purpose is to inform and engage our audience (different from say a congressional letter-writing campaign where quantity counts).
We accept letters at any time and will do our best to run them in a timely fashion. Typically, we are able to share letters we receive by Wednesday at 5 p.m. in our Friday roundup two days later.
Letters to the editor are separate from our reporting and do not represent the views of the Lexington Observer. LexObserver does not independently verify the content of Letters.
To submit a letter to the editor, please write to letters@lexobserver.org. Thank you!
Letter to the editor: Misrepresentation has no place in Lexington’s civic debate
“Town Meeting Members take no oath of accuracy. They are expressly exempt from the state conflict of interest law that governs other town officials. No law requires a campaign to tell the truth about a ballot question…”
Letter to the editor: An LHS student’s case for Seth Moulton
“Seth not only supports much-needed generational change, he embodies it. He is fighting to bring young, energetic voices into government, and he is leading on the issues of the future such as on AI regulation for the job market my generation is entering.”
Letter to the editor: Why my family started a tradition of reading the Declaration
“The work of citizenship belongs to all of us.”
Letter to the editor: Statement from Lexington United Against Antisemitism on Diamond workshop
“On balance, we see this workshop as a clear “net positive” – one of laudable intentions, problematic communication, and ample opportunities for LPS leadership to learn how to better navigate in these turbulent times.”
Letter to the editor: Reducing waste must involve producers and consumers
“Some states — California, New Jersey and others — have limited virgin plastics in packaging and shifted responsibility for reducing plastics use to producers. California leads with innovative programs like recycled carpet drop-off centers. Massachusetts and our town can do more, and we’re not doing enough.”
Letter to the editor: The many benefits of volunteering with LexFarm
Volunteering is a massive part of how this town runs, but many people feel like they don’t know where to start. Especially with events like the 250th encouraging residents to get out and volunteer, LexFarm is a great place to start.
Letter to the editor: The importance of educating against antisemitism
The school system needs to teach the Holocaust because that is where antisemitism leads. It can happen here. As a Jew in Lexington, the actions of the school system and administration has made me feel less safe.
Letter to the editor: Missing context on the Diamond Middle School apology letter
“Purporting to educate students about how to prevent antisemitism and be “upstanders,” TribeTalk instead gave a presentation conflating Jewish identity with support for the Israeli government–a conflation that only feeds antisemitism, as many mainstream Jewish organizations have warned. “
Letter to the editor: Fair wages essential to recruiting and retaining firefighters
“Since Lexington has fallen behind, recruitment is almost nonexistent, experienced firefighters are leaving, and staffing challenges are growing. We are reaching the point of a public safety crisis.”
Letter to the editor: Thinking about freedom and democracy on America’s 250th
“In this era of oligarchs and billionaires, it can be hard to hold tight to the American ideals of government by the people and for the people. But we can’t let those ideals fade. My hope is that we can use this holiday to jump-start a conversation about how we can work together to build…
Letter to the editor: A different proposal for waste disposal
“In the spirit of the 250th, I’d like to suggest another option for household trash/recycle pickup: eliminate the service entirely.”
Letter to the editor: Lexington Girl Scouts honored with highest achievement
“Their work is a reminder that positive change often begins with individuals who are willing to notice a need and act. Lexington is fortunate to have young residents who are helping shape a more understanding and inclusive community.”
Letter to the editor: A better path forward for Massachusetts retirees
“Where I believe the current debate falls short is that it treats pension funding and retiree healthcare funding as separate issues. Municipalities have one group of retirees and one pool of taxpayer resources. Pension and OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) obligations should therefore be evaluated holistically.”
Letter to the editor: A Diamond Middle School student’s story of censorship
“Because our world today is scary. Because hate speech is on the rise in my school and we are facing a government that is eerily similar to what happened to Irene. And if I give in, if I stop wearing my shirt quietly, I am letting history play out again. I would be letting down…
Letter to the editor: Praise for Lexington Building Commissioner
“It is clear that Mr. Kelly is dedicated to serving his constituents and helping them succeed. In a field that governs matters of health and safety — sometimes literally life and limb — he approaches the work with a professionalism, calm demeanor, and genuine willingness to help that I deeply admire.”
Letter to the editor: Reduce waste and support environmental justice with Article 31
“Both the town and a group of volunteers have worked incredibly hard to create a plan that aims to reduce our trash output and keep the fast-rising costs of trash hauling from becoming a burden on residents. Two years of further work, discussion and multiple community meetings led to the recent approval of Article 31…
Letter to the editor: Keep trash collection simple
“We don’t want the word free removed from our trash bylaw. It has been part of a commitment to all citizens, regardless of their individual trash disposal needs, for over 100 years.”
Letter to the editor: Answering questions on Article 31
“The timing is driven by contracts, not conspiracy: the Town’s hauling contract and its disposal contract with the North Andover waste-to-energy facility are both coming up for renewal with costs rising sharply, and the Town must know whether fees are on the table before it negotiates.”
Letter to the editor: Planning first, then large-scale changes
“Act now, plan later makes me feel uncomfortable and uneasy, and dare I say disappointed, since I’m very much in favor of the intent to be mindful of the reduction of trash to take care of our environment.”
Letter to the editor: Prioritizing equity as Lexington votes on Article 31
“Historically, Lexington has embraced a civic philosophy that essential municipal services are shared collectively and funded equitably through the property tax system. This approach is consistent with the Town’s spirit, culture, and long-standing commitment to fairness.”
Letter to the editor: Celebrating Jewish American Heritage
“During the month of June, banners are hanging in Lexington Center to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month.”
Letter to the editor: Does the town value their firefighters?
“Value is demonstrated through actions. When employees go nearly a year without a contract and almost two years without a raise, it sends a message about how their work is valued.”
Letter to the editor: What are we really voting on?
“Most people don’t run for office because they want to inflict misery on their neighbors, and I expect they would jury-rig something to keep things running as best they can. But the final result would unavoidably be less predictable, less efficient, and less fair than what we’ll get if the Yes vote passes.”
Letter to the editor: Thoughtful deliberations back Article 31
“When you get beyond knee-jerk reactions to change and delve into the details, the facts show how lucky we are to live in a community whose government sweats the details and arrives at solutions we all can be proud of.”
Letter to the editor: Fully developed plan needed for waste disposal
“We would gladly support a fair, well-designed program with real protections built in. This is not that one. It is charge first, details later.”
Letter to the editor: Vote yes to support Lexington’s commitment to climate action and resilience
“There are three main stops for our trash left at curbside. The first is the truck that collects the trash, second is the incinerator in North Andover, and the third is the toxic ash landfill in Shrewsbury. Each stop includes activities and processes that consume energy and generate greenhouse gases. Additionally, prevailing winds carry the…
Letter to the editor: Voters deserve a more fully developed proposal
“Reasonable people can disagree about pay-as-you-throw programs, but voters deserve clear information before granting authority to implement one.”
Letter to the editor: Lexington must adapt its waste disposal to avoid substantial cost increases
“A negative vote on 16 June could delay our transition to automated trash collection, perhaps indefinitely, with the result that we’d face increased and rising costs since the few haulers that still offer manual trash collection will impose a substantial cost premium.”
Letter to the editor: Bathroom options for the new high school
“The purpose of the new high school bathroom design should be to satisfy the practical needs of all students, not the personal ideology or preferred design philosophy of officials or design teams.”
Letter to the Editor: Waste disposal challenges across the Commonwealth
“Across the Commonwealth, serious discussions are happening regarding how municipalities can reduce waste as hauling costs rise exponentially and environmental harms worsen.”
Letter to the Editor: The cost of waste disposal
“The choice before Lexington voters on June 16 is not “free trash versus paid trash.” It is whether we manage our rising waste costs proactively, or absorb them later through higher taxes and cuts to the services we depend on.”
Letter to the Editor: Outstanding approvals for new high school project
“Three approvals are needed in order to start construction on a new high school.”
Letter to the Editor: Modeling town budget implications for anticipated new developments
“I am sharing… a financial model that estimates the Town’s incremental revenues and expenses once all approved and anticipated new MBTA dwellings, such as 17 Hartwell Ave, are occupied over the next 8–10 years.
Letter to the editor: Vote YES on June 16 for fiscal responsibility
“Trash collection is not free, and has never been free….Increased trash spending is steadily eating into funds for other important town services like the library, police and fire, schools, community center and more.”
Letter to the editor: Lexington High students poll their classmates on budget cuts
” In our journeys through school, the defining experiences haven’t been using new technology or receiving good grades, but being inspired by a teacher who genuinely supports and believes in us. 72% of students [in our survey] agree with this.”
Letter to the editor: A trip with Lexington’s trash
“Net, net there is no magic wand solution to trash. Even a well-designed, well-functioning incinerator has output which can have some negative economic and ecological cost. It’s been 11 years since our field trip, the costs continue to go up, and what we took for granted is turning into material cost factors for consideration. “
Letter to the editor: Advocates for foster care youth
“May is National Foster Care Month. For Boston CASA and the Lexington community, it is also a call to action.”
Letter to the editor: H.1399 could help retirees and taxpayers
“At a time when affordability dominates nearly every political conversation in Massachusetts, H.1399 offers something rare: a policy that can simultaneously help retirees, taxpayers, municipalities, and future generations.”
Letter to the editor: A reflection on our current moment and the power of local community
“I place my hope in people. In communities. In regions that still function. In movements that grow slowly and steadily. In the long work of repair.”
Letter to the editor: Successful 12th annual Breakfast on the Bikeway
“We are deeply grateful to the donors whose support allowed us to serve the many walkers, runners, cyclists, and passersby who stopped by.”
Letter to the Editor: Historic and ecological significance of 114 Wood Street
“This is land with historic and ecological value that will never recover if the 18 condo units proposed are approved.”
Letter to the editor: Enforcing wetland protection codes for new developments
“…buffer zones are vital because they prevent and control flooding and erosion, protect water quality and wildlife habitat, and promote climate resilience.”
Letter to the editor: Banning student smartphones in schools
“Disciplinary incidents are down, attendance is up, grades are improving, and students report feeling more connected to one another and to their school. The reason: each of these schools has given their students a 6 to 7 hour break from notifications, addictive pulls, and social drama that comes with their screens.”
Letter to the editor: Opportunities to engage with school leadership
“…how often do the more than 6,000 Lexington families have access to this kind of open, small-group dialogue with district leadership?”
Letter to the editor: Lexington resident and retired jurist in support of the Medical Civil Rights Act
” As constituents, I hope that you will refuse to accept the pretense that there is no emergent public health issue or that your taxpayer dollars are already wisely spent—or worse yet, that there is no viable solution to prevent these deaths.”
Letter to the editor: School budget cuts from a social work perspective
“Ensuring equitable access to quality education requires sustained investment in the people who make that possible.”
Letter to the editor: A recent LHS grad learns to cope with an eating disorder
“It felt like our worth was determined by our number of A’s, the amount of awards we won, the number of APs we took and academic achievements in general. I never felt “smart” or like I stood out.”
Letter to the editor: In support of the Medical Civil Rights Act
“In recent years, in Massachusetts, psychiatric crises have resulted in many fatalities, with an exceptionably high number of police-involved deaths since 2021.”
Letter to the editor: A young visitor’s first Patriots Day
“It was interesting that all the battles were at the same time, place, and day, so it was like seeing the patriots standing on the same field at the same time that the gunshots were going on in 1775.”
Letter to the editor: In support of additional Lexington Public School funding
“…we believe the additional funding for the upcoming school year will provide for a more orderly and better planned transition to the fiscal realities that we will continue to face, many of which are beyond our control.”