HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-13-MMC-min Monuments & Memorials Committee
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Conducted by Remote Participation*
7:00 PM
Members Present
Linda Dixon, Chair; Avram Baskin, Glen Bassett, Bebe Fallick, Chuck French, George Gamota,
Leslie Masson, Danjun Pu
Members Not Present
Charles Price
Guests
Doug Lucente, Vice Chair, Select Board
Dave Pinsonneault, Director, Department of Public Works
Gina Rada, Veterans' Services Director, Lexington/Bedford/Carlisle
Business
Linda convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and read the Town notice regarding the conduct of
public virtual meetings.
Introductions
Participants presented personal introductions.
Personal experience, expertise and committee interest included: Maintaining consistency of
procedures, creating a database, building a file system, maintaining historical monuments, GIS, and
implementing a thorough checklist for proposal reviews.
Discussion of Mission
Linda reviewed the Committee's three major responsibilities:
• Creating a user-friendly database of all monuments and memorials in town.
Working with the Department of Public Works, building on their current inventory,
expanding from there, expanding the current GIS system.
• Entertaining citizen proposals for a new monument or memorial.
Preparing a checklist of details to include: location;permission; funding; design and materials,
maintenance responsibility, advocacy.
• Assisting DPW in developing an annual maintenance and restoration plan for monuments and
memorials.
This was followed by a discussion and sharing of ideas.
Briefing by Doug Lucente, Select Board Liaison
Doug explained that the Select Board relies on the Monuments and Memorials Committee to do
the study, research, and communication necessary when an individual or group submits a
proposal to build a new monument or memorial. We are an advisory committee. We establish a
helpful and cooperative relationship with the presenter, pointing out areas where more
information may be needed. We maintain an open, public process in our deliberations. We may
do our own research and data identification in furtherance of a proposal. In our work, we may
identify a need for a new memorial and initiate our own proposal.
Briefing by Dave Pinsonneault, Department of Public Works Liaison
Dave introduced himself, citing his long experience with the Department of Public Works and his
personal love of history, and expressed his enthusiasm to assist in creating a monument database.
Such an inventory would greatly benefit his maintenance planning and funding efforts. Dave will
shortly distribute his current inventory, which is in Excel format. In a future meeting he will present
the report on the Captain Parker statue renovation.
Creation of Working Groups
Chuck French, Danjun Pu, and Leslie Masson will work with DPW to create a new system.
George Gamota and Avram Baskin volunteered to draft a process questionnaire/checklist for use in
considering proposals for new monuments.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Next meeting: 5/27/21
Respectfully submitted
Bebe Fallick, Interim Secretary