HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-01-TOUR2-Antony-minApproved 11.24.2015
Minutes for Antony Working Group meeting of the Lexington Tourism Committee on July 1, 2015
Meeting began at 7:22 PM - -- adjourned at 9:05 PM
Place: Parker Room (Town Office Building, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue)
Present at meeting: Dawn McKenna, Kerry Brandin, Dave Pinsonneault, Colin Godfrey, Kitty Galaitsis, Sandy Gasbarro,
Christina Gamota, George Gamota, Maureen Poole, Al Pincince
Absent: Fred Johnson, Marie - Tristan Rago, Tony Galaitsis
Documents available for review:
1. Minutes of May 28, 2015
2. Lexington- Antony Sister City Treasurer's Report, 5 June 2015
3. Compensation Sheet - -- Lump sum totals for design services of Studio 2112 Landscape Architecture, Inc.
4. Attachment 1 - -- Fees for professional services and reimbursable expenses, appended to and constituting a
part of the Agreement for landscape architectural services between Studio 2112 Landscape Architecture, Inc.
and the Town of Lexington, dated March 15, 2021
5. Maureen's statement of intent to relinquish her role as "minutes taker" for the Antony Working Group
Antony Park
a) Construction Status -- -Dave Pinsonneault
Phase I: The company is committed to coming in the next week or two to finish grading. The waterline is now
connected to the main. In -house staff will do spigot and irrigation in next three weeks or so. They will also add
a "meter pit." All of this work will conclude Phase I.
Phase II: the wall and pathways. A couple of stone people have taken a look and walked the wall. Final
estimates should be available in the next one to two weeks. With winter being especially tough on trees, plan to
take those there now out. The trees are coming out now, or first part of next week. This and grading done in
early autumn. Then the wall can be added. The plants now at Seasons Four will go back into stock and we will
reorder. In the available budget, we should have by mid - October: grading, wall, water connection, irrigation,
electrical box, pathways and trees - -- completing Phase II.
Various points made in discussion that ensued as we seek to understand expenses:
It's been two years since starting the project. There was a problem with the initial work stemming from the
purchasing office. Costs escalate over time. DPW have and will contribute as much as they can in labor and
materials.
Dawn brought up the stairs and two plaques on either side that are part of the stone work. The purchase
involves cap and stone together, curved cap, special cut. DPW worked with the architect and changed the stone
material slightly to lower the costs.
George raised the concern about the trees being put in again in November. Response was "NO." The definite
goal for the stonework is mid - October. The trees will be ordered this fall but not planted until the spring.
There will be no ordering of plants until parterres are ready. The beds' plantings would realistically be done in
Spring, late April /early May.
Phase III: Given that plantings and other pieces not able to be funded as part of Phase II, Kitty enquired about
the $6000 set aside - - -how flexible can we be in using that?
George: When will the park be in a state that an event could take place there?
Question was raised about the possibility of temporary signage. "Future home of Antony Park "? Maybe with a
picture attached? - -- Signs from DPW would only be in metal or wood. Other signs would come from
contractors.
Dave has called to have the price quote for the sprinkler system resent. Should know in next couple of weeks,
by the end of July. Expect to have updates at the September meeting.
More about financial status:
Dawn asked why there was an additional $6000 PO for Studio 2112 since the work being quoted was part of the
original contract. If the contract paid as authorized, then potentially the $6000 will be reduced. This is possibly
good news if such an adjustment is in the offing. Dave was going to look into it.
We had two charges ($680 & $500) for staking out the property, plus a third that DPW absorbed. These have
been paid and there will be no adjustment to that. These are in addition to the base contract.
b) Fundraising
Current goal is $16,000. Receipt of the Community Endowment Grant gives us $5000. As part of fundraising we
should definitely apply for it again next year. Kitty will keep an eye on when applications for the grant are
scheduled. Diners Amicaux should be planned. Also, we need to consider and discuss further another A French
Affair, which has potential to bring in $5000. There are seven trees still to sell, which will provide $14,000.
We'II keep focused on our mission of getting the Park built and our relationship with Antony. We wish to build
awareness in different ways. Christina will look into the percentage of people in Lexington who come from
countries where French is spoken. Consensus was to consider the various ideas but begin no explicit fundraising
until we have "concrete progress" at Antony Park. If there are sufficient changes, progress at the site, soon,
then we could compose a letter to go out in November.
Financial Report
To date there has been $9000 raised in 2015: $5000 from the grant; $4000 from sale of two trees. Questions
were raised about POs. There should be information by the next meeting to clarify the bottom line.
Communication and Constant Contact Response
Kerry said there was not a large response. She will report at the next meeting.
Programs
Discussion focused on possibilities available for Christophe Oruzio's visit to Lexington, July 10th through the 14tH
Also, were waiting to hear about Bastille Day celebration at Wilsons Farm. TBD. If anything surfaces, a notice
will be sent via Constant Contact.
Minutes
The minutes of May 28, 2015 were reviewed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the May 28, 2015 minutes
were approved as amended with one abstention.
Next meeting? Aiming for September, unless a reason occurs that requires an earlier time. Dawn will send out
again the calendar doodle that allows us to plug in our availability for particular dates.
Respectfully submitted, Maureen Poole