Update: Better Late Than Never?

Happy belated birthday Lynne Pease! I missed a celebration last night – and cupcakes.

Town Manager Carl Valente graciously sent me his notes on last night’s Town Manager’s report, which I’ll share.

Town Assessor Rob Lent, our commercial appraiser, was named as acting Town Assessor until we find a replacement.

Pauline Burke, from the   and Nadine Wright from the Lexington Police Department are both retiring. Pauline leaves at the end of May and the town is already looking for her replacement.

Marie Downie took over for Nadine and began her job this week.

This one bears repeating. The town is looking for a Veterans’ Services Officer. Carl said only two people have applied. “If you know any veteran (who served during a conflict period), who may be interested … please contact me or Charlotte Rogers.”

The position pays $16,000 annually.  Interested? Call the Town Offices at 781-862-0500, extension 275.

Posted at 5:45 a.m. this morning ...

Last night I was in left field playing shortstop, or a day late and a dollar short ...

Newly appointed selectmen Chairman Hank Manz sent an email telling me the meetings (held in the Town Offices) would start one-half hour early -- or maybe earlier -- but I thought he meant next week.

Big mistake because I was ready, willing and able by 6 p.m. 

At 6:40 p.m. I flipped the station to channel 37 only to see a show on Animal Rescue. After that, I went to the LexGo, a LexMedia show on another channel and watched eight minutes of Julie Miller, Minuteman Captain Bill Mix, His Majesty’s 10th Unit leader Paul O’Shaunessy and a few others talking about last week’s Patriots’ Day activities.

I learned that the reenactments and parade started 40 years ago, and that former President Richard Nixon attended one. Good to know, but I’m checking the details because author and historian Edwin Worthen tells us in his historical books that other celebrations occurred on the Battle Green in 1875.

At 7:08 p.m., I switched back to 37, just to make sure this wasn’t the week they started early.

They did, and I was late. (Sorry Carl.)

There was Town Manager Carl Valente holding an impressive piece of paper in his hand, and already more than halfway through the Town Manager’s report.

Drat.

I heard about a few retirements and then heard the last of the report, which I’ll share.

The is holding an open house May 19 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the at 201 Bedford St.

The trucks will be out and ready for viewing. This is a great event for youngsters – and maybe those who aren’t so young too. My son loved this and the Fire Department’s open houses and wanted to sit inside all the trucks.

Carl then announced that Lexington is looking for a new Veterans’ Services Officer. Under state law, this person must be a veteran of the armed services.

“It’s a very important position for the town,” he said.

Anyone interested should contact the

Unfortunately, that’s all – and it looked as though he had a lot more. So, I’ll be contacting Carl Valente tomorrow morning for his full report. I’ll have it all in an early update.

Lesson learned. Check and recheck … and then check again.