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Home My WebLink About2019-03-22 BOS Packet - Released SELECTMEN'S MEETING Friday, March 22, 2019 Town Office Building, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Selectmen's Meeting Room 9:00 AM AGENDA ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION 1. Battle Green Request- Gathering for Lost Lives in New Zealand 9:00 a.m. ADJOURN 1. Anticipated Adjournment 9:15 a.m. Hearing Assistance Devices Available on Request All agenda time and the order of items are approximate and Ley6edil"a subject to change. Recorded by LexMedia AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY LEXINGTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Battle Green Request - Gathering for Lost Lives in New Zealand PRESENTER:TER• ITEM S NUMBER: Suzanne Barry, Chair I.1 SUMMARY: Jessie S teigerwald and Ragini P athak have requested the use of the Battle Green on Sunday, March 24, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. for the purpose of a Community Gathering following the 51 lost lives in Christchurch, New Zealand. Police and DPW have reviewed this request and have no objections. SUGGESTED MOTION: Move to the request from Jessie S teigerwald and R agini P athak to use the Battle Green on Sunday, March 24, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. for the purpose of a Community Gathering following the 51 lost lives in Christchurch, New Zealand. FOLLOW-UP: DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA: 3/22/2019 9:00 a.m. ATTACHMENTS: Description Type From: n Lexington Says,#Enough: Ragini Pathak,Jessie Steigerwald Amber Igbal First Parish in Lexington,Minister. Reverend Anne Mason,Dan Fenn LexPride:Valerie Overton March 19,2019 Board of Selectmen and Town Manager Lexington,MA 02420 q Dear Board of Selectmen members Suzie Barry,Doug Lucente,Joe Pato,Jill Hai,Mark Sandeen, and Mr. Malloy,Town Manager: We understand the requirement for you to meet in public to evaluate an application for the use of the Battle Green,and ask you to please consider holding a special meeting this Friday to consider ,,our request to use the Battle Green this Sunday March 24,from 6:00-7:45 p.m.to hold a community vigil in the wake of Christchurch shootings in New Zealand. The event will begin at 6:30, but organizers would like time to be on the Battle Green in advance of participants. This horrific event has shaken our community. The violence expressed crosses religious intolerance,white supremacy,and gun violence. Following the horrific events,we have the opportunity to do something constructive locally by partnering with other community groups, including Lexington Interfaith Clergy Association,LexPride,the Association of Black Citizens of Lexington,the Chinese American Association of Lexington,the Koreans of Lexington,the Indian Americans of Lexington,the Arlington Human Rights Commission and others to create a space for the entire community to grieve the loss of 51 innocent lives in New Zealand and to also show support for our Muslim neighbors and friends in Lexington and also expressing our views about the worldwide need to end gun violence. The program is in draft form and will be refined, but will open with a community welcome co-led by members of Lexington Says#Enough and at least one LICA representative. State and local elected leaders will be(and are being)invited to participate.(Unlike events hosted by the Town Celebrations Committee,we do not plan to have an opening and closing prayer.)Our co-sponsor groups will have representatives speak, or may stand together with one spokesperson. We will light candles and deliberately read the names and ages of the 51 Christchurch victims.We will have 51 empty prayer mats visible at all times to memorialize the lives.As we will be meeting in the evening close to sunset,,Muslim members of our community will have their evening prayer with community members present and able to have silent time`to reflect on the loss of innocent lives.As the Muslim prayer is said in another language,we ask permission to have a paper handout that will translate for all gathered.This will allow people to understand what is said,while maintaining a quiet and respectful atmosphere.We will conclude learning about constructive actions people can take locally,fronj the anti-bias trainings now available in Lexington to current legislative proposals,to upcomipg talks to learn about different faiths,including the Muslim faith. Finally,those who have gathered will be invited to walk across Harrington Road to First Parish Church where refreshments and conversation will be available as a way for people to reflect,meet new friends,and also get to know some of the Muslim members of our community-most of all,to make sure that everyone knows that all are welcome in Lexington, and that when we say"We are Lexington",we include everyone.The Battle Green offers the closest public space to First Parish and we believe the proximity will be best for accessibility for all. We very much hope that yoU will grant our community permission to use this very special community space. We will take care of it. We will keep it clean. We recognize that it is a treasure. Sincerely, ws t'4 TOWN OF LE.X:INGTON SELECTMEN'S OFFICE: 4.W, APPLICATION FOR :r BATTLE('REEN PERMIT The.Hoard of Selectmen issues permits for the use of the Battle(been(see attached regulations), Please fill in this form completely and return to die Selectmen's Office no less than two weeks prior to the requested date. A NAME, PHONE NUMBER,and EMAIL ADDRESS OF A RESPONSIBLE CONTACT: Ragini Pathak(617) 515-318176 Hancock Street Jessie Steigerwald (781)861-7190143 Cedar Street DATE AND TIME OF EVENT:Sunday March 24,2019 6:30-7:30 1 Request use of Battle Green from 6:00-8:00 to allow set up and clean up NATURE OF EVENT: Community gathering following 51 lost lives in Christchurch, New Zealand EXPECTED NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS&SPECTATORS: 100-250 people DURATION OF EVENT:One hour for event STATEMENT OF EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES TO BE USED: Request use of Battle Green and speaker system SECTION OF THE GREEN DESIRED: Area near the flag pole so that speaker system could be used ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Following the outdoor gathering, people will be invited into First Parish Church for refreshments and the opportunity to meet new friends. This is one action people can take to introduce themselves to neighbors, and especially to get to know members of our Muslim community. Authorized Signatures AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY LEXINGTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Anticipated Adjourrnnent PRESENTER: ITEM NUMBER: SUMMARY: SUGGESTED MOTION: FOLLOW-UP: DATE AND APPROXIMATE TIME ON AGENDA: 3/22/2019 9:15 a.m.