Accountability posts

At the Lexington Board of Health meeting on January 20, 2026, residents who checked the published agenda and decided not to attend missed something significant: formal votes on emergency preparedness policy, discussions of the state's stance on pediatric vaccine guidelines, and deliberations on e-bike safety regulations — none of which appeared on the advance agenda.

The most consequential moment came when board member Sue Will Fordham presented a detailed analysis revealing that Lexington has 14 separate emergency plans that don't connect with each other and lack a unified, interoperable disaster framework. The board's own Chair stated plainly: 'We are not adequately protecting the public's health when it comes to a disaster.' Another member warned that the town should 'expect to be on its own' for potentially longer than 72 hours — a pointed reference to diminished federal emergency response capacity. The board voted unanimously to send formal recommendations to the Town Manager calling for an integrated disaster plan, an updated Continuity of Operations Plan, a completed hazard mitigation plan, and a post-COVID lessons-learned report. No deadline was attached to any of these action items.

Also discussed without advance public notice: Massachusetts DPH has decided to follow American Academy of Pediatrics pediatric immunization guidelines rather than current federal recommendations — placing Massachusetts among only 6 to 8 states taking this position. The board directed staff to post DPH guidance on the town website, a step that signals local endorsement. Whether you support or question that stance, residents had no opportunity to attend specifically for this discussion because it wasn't listed. Additionally, the Open Forum that appeared on the published agenda — the designated slot for public comment — was never opened. No member of the public spoke at a meeting where formal votes were taken.

If you want to review what was decided, the meeting recording should be available through the town. The next Board of Health meeting is the appropriate time to raise questions about emergency planning timelines, vaccination guidance, or any item discussed on 1/20. Residents have a right to weigh in — but only if they know to show up. https://meetingwatch.org/ma/lexington/board-of-health/2026-01-20/ #MeetingWatch #LexingtonMA