It is my honor to serve Lexington on the Select Board since 2013.
As a Member of the Board, I represent and work for the people of Lexington. I cherish Lexington’s diversity. I strive to engage all residents, to tap into the skills and talents of our entire community – both to make better policies and to create a sense of belonging and inclusion.
Working on hard problems is what I love to do. I strive to develop consensus, to engage all respectfully and equally, and to make sure all are welcomed.
– Joe
As your Select Board Member, my priorities are to pursue: wise fiscal policy, environmental sustainability, and public safety for all. In pursuing these priorities, my approach is to avoid assumptions, dig for facts, and clarify – in a transparent manner – the issues for our community. Working on hard problems toward sustainable solutions is what I love to do. I believe in aligning support by stating a clear, open case and finding common interests collaboratively. I search for the value in every idea, and I value respectful closure when it’s time to move forward.
I would love to hear from you. Please contact me.
I hold my office hours as virtual meetings. To schedule a phone or online zoom meeting, please contact the Select Board’s office staff at selectboard@lexingtonma.gov or call the office at 781-698-4580
To join my weekly casual office hours from 2-3pm on Wednesdays, which were normally held at the Community Center, use the contact information below:
Join Zoom Meeting
One tap mobile:
+16465588656,,623099257#
Or Dial in by phone:
+1 646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 623 099 257
Latest BLOG entries
- How to Protect our Trees
Is Lexington doing enough to protect its tree canopy? This video shared by the Lexington Climate Action Network outlines concerns for tree canopy loss. What are your reactions – are there approaches we should be pursuing to better protect our trees? This year’s Town Meeting will be considering one way of strengthening our protections –… Read More » - Open Letter Regarding the Effects of Housing Expansion on School Enrollment
To: Planning Board and Planning DirectorFrom: Joe Pato and Rod Cole, members of the LPS Enrollment Working Group As the community considers proposed zoning amendments to comply with the new multifamily zoning requirement for MBTA communities in the Zoning Act (MGL Chapter 40A Section 3A), some residents have raised concerns about the potential effects on… Read More » - Reduce Waste and Trash Costs
Image designed by macrovector / Freepik How to properly dispose of waste is everyone’s challenge. The costs for town provided waste hauling and disposal for waste (up 21%) and recycling (up 28%) are jumping and creating difficulties for the Town’s budget. To manage about a $1 Million increase in these costs, fees are being considered… Read More » - Center Bike Node Complete
Completed over the summer and fall, the new bike node adjacent to Grain Mill Alley and the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway is now active. The node includes a repair station with tools and an air pump, a solar-powered device charging bench, and a set of racks for parking bikes in the center. The Dero Fixit Station… Read More » - Food Insecurity Resources
Early this year the Select Board approved allocation of a portion of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to address the issue of food insecurity in Lexington. The Human Services Department will be utilizing some of these funds to disburse Wegmans grocery gift cards to families in need. In the coming week, all Lexington… Read More » - Town Meeting 2023 Warrant Is Now Open
The warrant for the 2023 Annual Town Meeting is now open. Citizens may submit articles for consideration by filing a citizen’s petition by the end of business on Friday, December 16, 2022. For information on how to write and file a citizen’s petition see the guides on the town web site. Citizen Petition Timeline for… Read More » - New Waste Disposal Ban Regulations for Textiles and Mattresses
Beginning on November 1, new regulations in Massachusetts ban the disposal of textiles and mattresses in the trash, as well as decrease food waste from businesses and institutions. Massachusetts previously had a food waste ban on businesses disposing of one ton or more per week, and these regulations lower that threshold to a half-ton per… Read More » - Campaign 2022
I am unopposed in the 2022 Municipal Election, but I still attend campaign forums and respond to questions from interested organizations. My Campaign Statements page keeps a cumulative collection of questions and responses I provided at these events. Some elections, however, are contested and I recommend you learn about the candidates for School Committee and… Read More » - Town-wide Survey
Join over 1250 of your neighbors who have already filled out the 2022 Town-wide survey. The Vision for Lexington Committee invites all residents to participate in a survey about Lexington’s community, services, and government. The Committee has conducted this survey at five-year intervals to inform the town’s governing bodies and staff about citizen’s perceptions, interests,… Read More » - 1929 Act Establishing Representative Town Meeting in Lexington
SPECIAL ACTSCHAPTER 215, ACTS OF 1929AN ACT TO ESTABLISH IN THE TOWN OF LEXINGTONREPRESENTATIVE TOWN GOVERNMENT BY LIMITED TOWN MEETINGS (As amended by Ch. 381, Acts of 1954; Ch. 442, Acts of 1956; Ch. 18, Acts of 1959; Ch. 179, Acts of 1978; Ch. 132, Acts of 1989; and Ch. 158, Acts of 1992; Ch…. Read More » - Solar Panels to be Installed on I95 Sound Barrier
As recently reported in electrek, Lexington may soon host the first solar panels on highway sound barriers. The installation, first discussed with the Select Board in 2016, will be the first of its kind in the US, and construction is expected to begin in spring 2022. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) conducted public outreach… Read More » - Community Feedback on Police Station Project and Policing in Lexington
From mid-March through the end of June 2021, Select Board members Joe Pato and Doug Lucente conducted small group discussions focused on the Town’s Police Station project and the future of public safety in Lexington. We received a wide range of responses from the community and appreciate the time and thoughtfulness participants brought to our… Read More » - Fall Special Town Meeting – November 8
The Select Board has issued the warrant for the 2021 Fall Special Town Meeting. The meeting will be held virtually using Zoom simulcast on LexMedia beginning on Monday, November 8, at 7:30pm. Warrant articles to be considered this year are: Reports of Town Boards, Officers and Committees Appropriate for Prior Years’ Unpaid Bills Establish, Dissolve and… Read More » - LexingtonNext: Attractive and Vibrant Public Forum
Lexington Next, Lexington’s Comprehensive Plan Update Public Forum – Defining an Attractive and Vibrant LexingtonOctober 26, 2021, at 7:00pm In September, the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) focused on Housing in Lexington. Now it’s time to shift gears to think about Lexington’s commercial areas and corridors. As an open discussion focused on engaging all members… Read More » - Living With Coyotes
Responding to three incidents of residents bitten by coyotes in Arlington, the Town of Arlington presented a panel session on living safely with coyotes. The main presentation was from former Belmont Animal Control Officer John Maguranis where he presented guidance on how to live safely with Coyotes. This was followed by a Q&A session featuring… Read More »
