Joe Pato Lexington Select Board Member

03/15/2026

March 2026 Monthly Community Forum with Joe Pato

Community Room – Lexington Police Department
Saturday, 3/21 4-5pm

Topic:
What’s coming to Town Meeting in March and other topics of your choosing.

03/09/2026

Community Listening Session about Potential Crematory at Westview Cemetery

Share your perspective!

In November 2024, Special Town Meeting passed the following resolution: "That the Town is urged to research, study, and present a plan to the Select Board for the potential construction of a crematory addition to the existing Westview Cemetery building to address the unmet end-of-life cremation needs of communities in our town." An Ad Hoc Crematory Study Committee was convened to conduct this work, including the gathering of community input, so that the wishes and concerns of Lexington residents are included in the committee's analysis, alongside legal, regulatory, financial, environmental, and socio-cultural considerations.

The purpose of this virtual listening session, a 90-minute Zoom webinar, is to gather input from members of the Lexington community who share and describe their interest and perspective on the potential for the Town of Lexington to build a crematory on the grounds of Westview Cemetery. All Lexington residents are welcome to attend. Everyone who wishes to speak will be able to raise their hand and will be given 2 to 3 minutes to explain their perspective on the issue. Residents unable to attend the webinar when scheduled will have the opportunity to view the recording and submit their comments via email.

Date and Time: Thursday, March 19, at 6:00 PM.

Registration Link: https://lexingtonma.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WKYv_Po3QW6qu30stDwz_w #/registration

Registration is encouraged but not required

Contact: Please contact the Ad Hoc Crematory Study Committee by email with any questions or comments. [email protected]

https://lexingtonma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/871

12/09/2025

Help shape the future of waste collection in Lexington! 🗑️♻️

Don't miss Lexington's next Waste Reduction Community Forum on Wednesday, December 17, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM in the Police Station Community Room.

The event will include a presentation to explain why changes to our waste management system are needed, and what kind of changes are being considered to modernize our waste collection system, reduce waste, and protect us from rising costs.

Learn more on the Town calendar posting: lexingtonma.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=6725

12/01/2025

LHS Project video interviews:

Over the past few weeks, Ranjeeta Khetan and her daughter Vyushti, an LHS junior, have created an independent student–parent video series about the Lexington High School building project. I was pleased to participate in a few of the Q&A sessions.

She writes:

"If you are a parent and Lexington resident who is confused by all the myths and mixed messages around this project, this series might really help. We’ve tried to ask the same questions many of us have and get clear answers from the people involved."

Full playlist – LHS Upgrade: The Real Story
PlayList - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBFUDcM9xJFoQ536es6upfR5NnASwjHwr

Episode1 - https://youtu.be/60Qmhh2bPSo

11/10/2025

November Monthly Community Forum

Community Room – Lexington Police Department
Saturday, 11/15 4-5pm

Topics: LHS Project progress, 12/8 Debt Exclusion Vote, and other topics of your choosing.

11/07/2025

LHS Project: Responses to questions arising at Town Meeting and on Social Media

The LHS Project consulting team and staff address some of the comments and questions raised at town meeting and that were circulating on social media and the Lexington List in the aftermath of the meeting. The slide presentation is attached to the Select Board packet for 11/10/2025 and two video segments will be loaded to the project website.

The videos are also currently available on my YouTube channel.
Video part 1 addresses cost and risk management:
https://youtu.be/iYEheLfYnvA?si=9IV0-RovnXtgiUo0
Question: What is Construction Management at Risk (CMR)? 01:00 Minute Mark | Slides 2-4
Question: What are the Town’s Financial Risks with CMR? 06:06 Minute Mark | Slides 5-6
Question: How is the Project Budget Controlled after the Debt Exclusion Vote? 07:55 Minute Mark | Slides 7-11
Question: To what extent do Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Projects experience cost overruns? 14:26 Minute mark | Slides 12-13
Question: To what extent do Lexington Projects experience cost overruns? 17:05 Minute Mark | Slides 14-15
Question: What is the MSBA Failed Vote Policy? 18:05 Minute Mark | Slides 16-18

Video part 2 addresses design, site planning, and construction topics
https://youtu.be/wCb5X7ifptM?si=azdxXl6ebL08MS7v
Question: Which fields are impacted by construction laydown activities? 00:45 Minute Mark | Slides 20-21
Question: What are the implications if FEMA does not redraw the floodplain map? 2:03 Minute Mark | Slides 22-24
Question: Characterize EEA Request regarding floodplain construction 05:15 Minute Mark | Slides 25-26
Question: Why is the triangle parcel across Worthen Road not utilized for this project? 06:18 Minute Mark | Slides 27-29
Question: How is the Town addressing parking and traffic issues at the existing high school? 07:28 Minute Mark | Slides 30-31

11/07/2025

11/01/2025

Need Food Assistance in Lexington? 🥕🍞
If you or someone you know could use a little extra support, there are several food resources available in Lexington and nearby communities.

Lexington Food Pantry
Online orders available at www.lexingtonfoodpantry.org/
Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM (curbside pick-up)

How you can help:
- Fund for Lexington: www.tinyurl.com/Fund4Lex
- Lexington Food Pantry: www.lexingtonfoodpantry.org/how-to-help.html

Most Needed Items:
- Canned vegetables, beans & fruit
- Rice, pasta, macaroni & cheese
- Peanut butter & canned protein (like tuna)
- Pasta sauce
- Toiletries
- Shelf-stable milk
- Hearty Soup

Important Resources:
- Massachusetts DTA: www.mass.gov/DTA
- DTA Assistance Line: 877-382-2363
- Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline: 1-800-645-8333 (Free, confidential, and available in multiple languages)
- State Information and Resources: www.mass.gov/SNAPFreeze
- Other Local Resources: www.lexingtonma.gov/1436/Food-Resources

Whether you’re seeking support or offering it, you are what makes Lexington strong, resilient, and compassionate.

Statement from the Town Manager: SNAP Information and Resources - October 2025: https://lexingtonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15414/Town-Manager-Statement---SNAP-October-2025

10/30/2025

Please view the following statement regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, containing both information and resources as it relates to the Lexington Community from the Town Manager.

https://lexingtonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15414/Town-Manager-Statement---SNAP-October-2025

10/14/2025

October Monthly Community Forum
Community Room – Lexington Police Department
Saturday, 10/18 4-5pm

Topics: LHS Project progress and other topics of your choosing.

10/08/2025

🗳️ Vote by Mail for the December 8, 2025 Special Election!
Follow these 5 easy steps to ensure your vote counts:

1. Request Your Ballot: Visit the Town Clerk’s Office or go online to request your vote-by-mail ballot (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/MailInRequestWeb/MailInBallot.aspx)
2. Submit Your Application: Applications must be received by the Town Clerk’s Office by 5:00 PM on December 1, 2025.
3. Receive Your Ballot: It will be sent to the address you indicated on your application form!
4. Vote!
5. Send It Back: Mail or drop off your completed ballot in a signed and sealed (inner brown EV-7) envelope in a white outer envelope to the Lexington Town Clerk’s Office, 1625 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02420.

Got questions? Reach out to the Town Clerk’s Office at [email protected] or visit the December 8th Election Page: https://www.lexingtonma.gov/2440/DECEMBER-8-2025-Special-Town-Election-In

10/03/2025

On October 14, there will be two opportunities to meet with representatives of the LHS Building Project:

* Casual conversations at the Lexington Farmers’ Market booth on Tuesday, October 14 (and again on the 28th)

* A Community Forum in Battin Hall, 1605 Mass Ave at 6:30 pm, Tuesday October 14 (or online via Zoom)