Electric Vehicle Charging Station – At the Indianapolis 500 race the call for engines to start is, “Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!” This got me wondering what the announcer will say if we ever see electric cars racing. What does this have to do with Lexington, you may ask?  In the next few weeks Lexington will have its first public electric vehicle charging stations in town. They will be located in the town’s parking lot behind the NSTAR building off of Edison Way. The town received a grant from the state for four of these charging stations. In order to encourage this "green" technology, the plan is not to charge vehicles for the electricity to re-charge a vehicle. Drivers will, however, have to pay the $.25 per hour for being at a metered parking space. These spaces will be restricted to electric vehicles only.

Back to the Indy 500: It has been a long-time tradition for the winner of the race to celebrate by drinking a bottle of milk in the winners circle. What should be the beverage of choice for the winning race car driver of an electric vehicle – an energy drink?

4710, The Year of the Dragon – On Saturday evening the Chinese American Association of Lexington (CAAL) hosted a celebration at to ring in 4710, the “Year of the Dragon.” The event, held at Minuteman High School, was a fabulous evening with a variety of performances sponsored by the Chinese Folk Art Workshop, American Chinese Art Society, Boston Guzheng Ensemble, Daoist Gate Wudang Arts, Lexington Chinese Elder Masters Group and Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association. Each performance was masterful, high energy and artistic.  Individual born in the Year of the Dragon (1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012 are full of vitality and enthusiasm, intelligent, gifted and a perfectionists.

New Police Lieutenant – As Town Manager, one of the most important parts of my job is hiring and promoting staff. I am pleased to announce, therefore, filling an important position in the Lexington Police Department. On Friday, Sergeant Christopher Barry will be promoted to Lieutenant in the Police Department. Chris was hired by the Department in 1998 and promoted to Sergeant in June 2005 and will now assume command of a night shift. Congratulations to Chris on this well-deserved promotion. This announcement comes shortly after the retirment of Lt. Bob Simmons, a veteran of more than 30 years.

Scams – Police Chief Mark Corr reports that the Police Department has had numerous calls in the past two weeks of suspicious persons approaching residents with offers to do tree work, inspect water meters and make driveway repairs. One alert resident provided the police with a license plate number.  The owner of the vehicle is known to the police for prior activities of defrauding, stealing and providing grossly inferior work. These individuals were in Lexington last winter shoveling roofs for extraordinary fees. If someone comes to your house offering  this type of service, please call the Police Department.