HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-19-2020-min
Town of Lexington
Lexington 2020 Vision Committee
Minutes of Meeting of July 19, 2013
2020 Vision Committee
A meeting of the was held on Friday, July 19 at 7:45 a.m. in the Selectmen’s Meeting
Room in the Town Office Building at 1625 Massachusetts Avenue.
Members Present: Fernando Quezada, Bhumip Khasnabish, Dan Krupka, Marian Cohen, Andrew Dixon,
Peter Enrich, Peter Lee, BOS Liaison Joe Pato
Staff: Candy McLaughlin, Melissa Jones
Members Absent: Chuck Benson, Jane Warren, Alan Wrigley, Planning Board Liaison Greg Zurlo, School
Committee Liaison Margaret Coppe
Others present: Carroll Ann Bottino
Action Items:
Review and edit Town Report narrative (all)
Conduct the first cut of the survey analysis (Marian)
Future agenda item: Explore mechanisms for handling citizen complaints (Candy)
The meeting was called to order at 7:48 a.m. and acted on the following items:
Approved the minutes from June 21, 2013.
Received update from subcommittee on demographic change:
Dan provided an overview of the barriers to
Asian-American involvement in the Town that emerged from interviews. The interviews confirmed that there
are a large number of young, busy families that do not have time to volunteer. In addition, distinct cultural
issues can inhibit involvement. Chinese people, in particular, think that politics is bad and that professionals
should not engage in politics. The Committee discussed language as a barrier, noting that groups use different
vocabulary and methods of expressing themselves. Dan said that the subcommittee heard that operating in an
informal environment is uncomfortable for some groups. The Committee discussed how Town committees can
be seen as closed systems, even “clique-ish,” so people feel excluded. The need for better outreach processes
as opposed to a reliance on word-of-mouth was discussed. Dan said that just two of the more than thirty
interviewees were second generation, so many people are not even aware of volunteer committees. He also
commented that information about committee responsibilities, activities, and the talents needed is not readily
available. Fernando said that a power distance exists between Lexingtonians in positions of authority and new
residents from other countries, and that volunteering on committees is a way to lower this.
Discussed ideas for Citizens’ mini-Academy:
Marian provided an overview of a proposed structure which
included staff presentations, and then Q&A following a break. Discussion about the possibility of having this
event serve as the first night of the full Citizens’ Academy led to the conclusion that the audiences are
different. The Committee talked about creating a module that could be used in many different venues at
different times of year to provide a kind of “Lexington 101.” The Committee decided to have the working
group continue to move forward on this idea.
Discussion arose regarding the need for a more formal process for handling citizen inquiries and ensuring
proper follow-up to resolve issues brought to Town government officials. Candy noted that the Town is
implementing Citizens Connect, a mobile app that will allow citizens to report issues. The Committee
discussed how an advocate/ombudsman might also serve this purpose. Fernando noted that Town
responsiveness and transparency were part of the 2020 Vision’s original mandate.
Discussed community survey analysis:
Marian discussed how to best present the data so that it is both
statistically accurate and clear to the public. Peter Enrich suggested doing a preliminary analysis (including
demographics) to distribute as soon as possible and then engaging in a deeper analysis to present to the Board
of Selectmen. Marian said that she would try to have her first analysis done by the next Committee meeting.
Discussed Town Report submission:
Candy and Fernando asked that the Committee members review the
draft and provide comments so that the submission may be approved at next month’s meeting. The Town
Report photographer will take the Committee’s photo at that time.
Meeting Adjourned:
9:03 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa Jones, Scribe
Next meeting:
Friday, August 23 in the Parker Meeting Room