HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-07-22-2020-min
2020 Vision Implementation Committee
Friday July 22, 2005
Meeting Minutes
7:45 a.m. Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members Present:
Fernando Quezada, Marian Cohen, Stacey Hamilton, Peter Enrich,
Ann Redmon, Scott Burson
Others:
Carl Valente,Candy McLaughlin, Elaine Sterzin, Tom Watkins
Minutes:
The minutes from the June 10, 2005 Implementation Committee Meeting were
approved.
Introduction:
Fernando began the discussion by summarizing the minutes from the
previous meeting and took the time to welcome Lexington’s new Town Manager, Carl
Valente, to the group. Carl stated that he has been spending his first two weeks meeting
with various Department Heads and Committees and looks forward to working with the
2020 Vision Committee. He also stated that he sees two objectives to these types of
committees (the latter of which he is very interested in grasping):
1. Community input and vision
2. Budgetary impacts
2020 Background:
Fernando asked Peter if he could share with the group some
background information about the 2020 Vision Implementation Committee in order to
help Carl become more acquainted with the history of the group. Peter began by saying
2020 had first started around 1990 when the Town was experiencing some serious
financial issues. By the late 1990’s, the group decided there was a major need for a
strategic planning process. The 2 major goals were:
1. To look long term in regards to a Town vision and planning
2. To establish a process which would allow a wide range of community voices
to be heard.
Peter continued by stating that early on the Committee decided to be managers of the
process rather than owners of the goals, and that ongoing dialogue with the Boards was
important. The first phase of the public process (1999-2000) identified 5 major values
and 27 sub-goals under those values. Two years ago, the group worked to fine-tune the
values and goals and developed 3 major areas of focus:
1. Economic Development (which has yet to really take off)
2. Budget Process
3. Improving the Character of Community Discourse
Moving Forward:
After the introductions, Fernando stated that he would hope that
getting others involved in the process would help the Committee to reach its goals. Carl
asked if there was a working plan in place for the coming year. Fernando answered that
one of the priorities was to go back to the original goals and renew the list as the list
changes. Peter also mentioned the Task Force reports issued last March and said that it
was not this Committee’s job to implement their goals but to support and monitor.
Several members of the Budget Task Force will be involved in the Selectman’s Financial
Review Policy Committee. Candy pointed out that several items from the report are on
st
the agenda for the Selectman’s August 1 Goal Setting meeting. It was also mentioned
that the group would like to meet with the 3 elected boards in the fall to go over the
recommendations of the Community Discourse Task Force. The Task Force plans to
meet before that to identify items that can be implemented immediately.
Carl asked if the Senior Management Team (SMT) had seen the reports. Candy
answered that they had not, but felt it would be appropriate if the SMT did. She also
passed around the 2020 Vision Implementation Committee Charge, which laid out the
members, term lengths, and description of the Committee.
Center Planning and Vision:
Stacey shared with the group her experience of the Center
Collaborative meeting she recently attended. The focus of the meeting focused on a
vision for the Center, i.e. housing, transportation, parking, commercial and beautification
planning. At the meeting, groups were formed in order to create their own wish lists of
ideas for the downtown. In doing so, each group asked themselves, “What do we want
the center of Town to look like”? And, “What draws you and others to come to
Lexington”?
Stacey added that the biggest role the 2020 Committee can play is looking at a long-term
plan in relation to the downtown. In doing so, the Committee must keep abreast of the
changing ideas and views of the community.
One valuable resource the 2020 Committee recognized and is hoping to connect with
again is that of Mary Jo Bohart. She was the Town’s former Economic Development
Officer (title created in 1989) whose position was later nixed by the failure of an override
vote.
Committee Recruitment:
Fernando volunteered to make initial calls to individuals
whose names have been suggested as potential members of the 2020 Vision Committee.
Those who are interested would need to be appointed by the Selectman.
In Closing…
Fernando stated that the group had a recent meeting with the Natick Town
Administrator. Candy mentioned that it was interesting to see what other towns were
doing in relation to strategic planning as Peter added how different Natick’s goals were in
comparison to Lexington’s.
Stacey said she would attend the Operations Subcommittee meeting as a liaison to the
2020 Committee. Fernando will be attending the TMMA Executive meeting.
th
The Next Meeting
is scheduled for Thursday, September 8 in the Selectman’s Meeting
Room at 7:45 a.m.
Minutes Recorded
by Tom Watkins