2021-06-10-MMC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Committee asked a variety of questions for further information: who would be represented by the monument and why; would it be representational; how will agreement on the final choices be achieved; have they obtained permission for the site; have they considered any alternate sites. After a lively and productive discussion, all agreed that this effort is in the early stages and more meetings will follow. Continuing Discussion on John Frey Marker James Wood presented several slides from Tower Park showing a simulated marker on the ground representing the John Frey marker and its relationship to the three red oak trees previously planted. The wording is nearing completion and funding has been assured ($1000 from Town DPW budget and $400 from Bicycle Committee donations). After discussion, a motion was made, seconded, and voted by roll call vote to send a unanimous recommendation of approval for this marker to the Select Board. Continuing Discussion on Lafayette Marker On June 2, Linda, Bebe and George met with Marsha Baker to view two of her proposed sites. Linda showed a photo of the recommended site at the entrance to Belfry Park, on Massachusetts Avenue approaching the corner of Clarke Street. Per Dave Pinsonneault, the undergrowth now present will be pruned to create a cleared spot. Her working group felt that the good visibility from the cleared ground, the sign's distinctive colors (red, white and blue on a white pole) and the authenticity of the location (this is a spot where Lafayette actually stood), are strong reasons for locating the marker on this spot. In the discussion, the committee was aware that this location fell in the Battle Green area. They nonetheless felt that this marker was appropriate for the recommended location because 1) it honored a true hero of the Revolution, living up to the Revolutionary theme of the Battle Green; and 2) the site was a good distance away from the Minute Man and not as politically sensitive as other nearby sites might be. Even with a positive vote from this committee, Marsha Baker would still have to meet with the Tourism Committee and the Historic District Commission and obtain their permission to move forward. After discussion on the appropriateness of a vote to approve the proposal with two more agencies yet to render a decision, the committee decided to proceed with their vote. With this understanding, a motion was made, seconded and voted by roll call vote to send a unanimous recommendation of approval for this marker to the Select Board. Member Leslie Masson, unable to attend the meeting, submitted a letter of support. Report on Database Working Group Meeting at DPW Chuck French, Dave Pinsonneault, Danjun Pu, and Linda Dixon met at Dave's office to start work on the database. More detail will be provided at next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Next meeting: June 24, 2021 —7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bebe Fallick, Interim Secretary