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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-02-MMC-min RECEIVED 2122 16 I ay, I I 05 a rr Monuments & Memorials Committee Meeting Minutes TOWN CL,ERK Thursday, December 2, 2021 Conducted by Remote Participation LEXINGTON 7:00 PM Members Present Linda Dixon, Chair; Glen Bassett, Bebe Fallick, Chuck French, George Gamota, Leslie Masson, Danjun Pu Members Not Present Charles Price, Avram Baskin Guests Dave Pinsonneault, Director, Department of Public Works Dawn McKenna, Betty Gau, Jessie Steigerwald, Meredith Bergmann, Michael Bergmann, Martha Wood, Corinne Steigerwald, Michelle Tran, Annie O'Donnell, Pat Costello, Valerie Overton, Jeff Howry. Business Linda convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Upon motion moved and seconded, the minutes of November 4, 2021, were approved by roll call vote. Lafayette Historical Marker Having reviewed and commented on the Final Report of the Committee to recommend approval of the Lafayette Historical Marker, by roll call vote, the Committee unanimously voted to advance the report to the Select Board. LexSeeHer-Progress Report Jessie Steigerwald presented slides and photos of a permitted gathering on the Visitors Center Lawn, held on November 21, 2021, where artist Meredith Bergmann installed a full-size mock-up of their proposed monument. The group is proposing a gate with two back-to back panels containing approximately 20 figures in bas relief representing notable women of Lexington. The structure is 12 feet tall by 16 feet wide. Ms. Bergmann explained how this concept would express the symbolism of women's participation. Michael Bergmann described the patina process and how this monument will invite visitor interaction. Jessie Steigerwald described the 20 women to be honored. Discussion of funding matters will take place at a future meeting. Danjun Pu asked whether the group had considered including an Asian woman in the work. Ms. Bergmann said they would welcome suggestions on ways to include references to the Town's Asian women, perhaps by incorporating representative symbols. Dawn McKenna offered a perspective from the Tourism Committee. She commended the proposed design and concept but expressed concern with the specific location, noting its proximity to the Visitors Center and the sacredness of the Battle Green. She explained that the Battle Green Master Plan and Visitor Center project involved multiple stakeholder meetings over ten years, including hundreds of Lexington residents. The proposed location does not meet the vision or goals for the use of the Visitors Center lawn and preservation of sight lines described in the Battle Green Master Plan approved by the Select Board. Chair Dixon noted that the original proposal had described three figures vs. the 20 now presented. She was uncertain whether the bas relief design would successfully convey the exquisite detail of Ms. Bergmann's other works. Ms. Bergmann responded that, having already completed two major works with three figures, she felt it was time for a fresh approach. Lexington has numerous women of great achievement who deserve to be honored, and the gate design will showcase these women in a way they deserve. The bronze in a bas relief design is several inches thick, allowing for casting in fine detail. Monuments and Memorials Database Leslie Masson presented the database spreadsheet on behalf of the working group. It is a work in progress. Jeff Howry, guest, is seeking grant money for cemetery record documentation and would like a letter of support from the Monuments and Memorials Committee. Linda will compose a letter for the Committee to approve. Mr. Howry was invited to share his knowledge with the Committee. Policies and Procedures Document The Committee discussed how to move forward on the various areas with which the Committee is charged. The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m. Next meeting: January 6, 2022- 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bebe Fallick, Secretary