HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-25-VISION2025-min Town of Lexington
Vision for Lexington Committee Meeting
June 25,2021
Remote Meeting
7:45 a.m.—9:00 a.m.
Members Present: Fernando Quezada, Dan Krupka, Margaret Coppe, Mark Manasas,Joe Pato, Bhumip
Khasnabish, Samita Mandelia, Peter Lee,Weidong Wang, Kathleen Lenihan and Rina Kodendera
Members Absent: Robert Peters, Daniel Joyner,Andrew Dixon and Alan Wrigley
Guests:Jyotsna Kakullavarapu and Marian Cohen
Professional Staff Present: Katharine Labrecque, Management Analyst
The meeting was called to order: 7:47am
The Remote Meeting Opening Script was read by the chair, Fernando Quezada.
Minutes:
• Minutes from the May 28, 2021 meeting were approved with minor edits.
Handouts/Documents Shared on Zoom Screen:
• Townwide survey project timeline.
Action Items Summary:
• Katharine and Joe will look at trimming the remote meeting script.
• Samita and Weidong offered to work on developing a master list of all community groups in
Town.
• Peter and Andrew will continue to work on the logo and think about ways to get the youth
involved.
• Fernando will send around the list of the committee's past projects to the new members.
Meeting Highlights:
New Committee Members Orientation
Margaret prepared an orientation for new members explaining the committee mechanics. Margaret also
discussed some of the committee's past work and projects that led to many notable reports and
recommendations. Dan mentioned that one of the issues we need to deal with is diversity. Dan Krupka
mentioned that one of the issues we need to deal with is diversity. Dan noted that a task force was
created by the former Town Manager and Superintendent of Schools to advise decision makers on
diversity issues as recommended by the subcommittee on Asian Communities. However, it seems like the
task force has been dismantled and replaced by a new body created by the new Town Manager and
Superintendent without consulting members of the task force.
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VFL sent a letter to both the Select Board and School Committee regarding this issue and haven't heard
anything.Joe commented that he and Kathleen have met and have been in contact with the chairs of the
two boards asking for a meeting. Margaret commented that we need to be responsible for following up
with our recommendations to these boards. Mark provided a brief update on the town-wide survey and
ECiL report. Mark suggested the new member review the committee page to learn more about these
recent projects. Margaret asked the new members for some ideas. Rina commented that we might want
to change the language we use referring to the purpose of these working groups/subcommittee to
improving versus dealing with problems,which opens up new doors. Rina also commented on Mark's
presentation, suggesting that they be smaller steps and something that members can work on. Weidong
asked about subcommittees and how Open Meeting Laws effects it, and further if the charge has to be
well-defined. Weidong also asked if working groups are impacted by the Open Meeting Law.Joe
responded that a working group can't be directly tasked by the committee to deliver something; it's the
work that an individual could do where less than a quorum of the members can participate.Joe
continued that as soon as it becomes a direct deliverable project that this committee is setting the
bounds for, it must be a subcommittee.There was conversation about the implementation of changes or
recommendations by the committee.Joe reminded everyone that these are just recommendations and
boards,for example,the Select Board don't have to accept them. Krupka commented that he finds it
frustrating that the Select Board accepts the recommendations but doesn't provide any feedback or
validation. Dan added that it would help this committee to get a better defined response from these
boards.Joe responded that almost always the Select Boards accepts recommendations not adopts them,
and will later work it into their goals certain elements that came from the reports. Margaret commented
that we have an opportunity during goal setting to convey the committee's feedback.Joe responded that
they no longer have an open meeting in which committee members can attend but solicit feedback in
advance.Joe recommended more narrow and specific goals going forward.
Consideration of Topics for New Scoping Groups
Fernando spoke about some of the topics discussed recently and listed on the website, such as
communication, e-government, social diversity, community public health, and housing. Fernando noted
that we need a champion to further pursue these topics. Mark suggested developing some master
directory of the organizations in Town and some easy way to get in touch with them. Fernando asked
how we should proceed with this. Mark suggested that we first start with Sean Dugan and then create a
charter. Margaret asked if this would be a working group. Mark responded that it could be a working
group.There was consensus that this would be a valuable resource. Rina suggested to add to Mark's idea
of the directory by including links to various social media accounts. Rina asked for the list of the
committee's projects to be sent around. Samita and Weidong agreed to be the point person for this new
project.Joe suggested that we look at other horizontal communications that make sense such as
calendaring.
Update on New Committee Logo
Peter mentioned that not much progress has been made on the logo. Peter noted he and Andrew are
going to need some graphic help. Mark commented that there is some synergy between this committee
and the Comprehensive Plan, and we may want to piggyback on their branding. Bhumip asked if they
reached out to LHS since they are the future. Fernando asked if the school year is over. Samita mentioned
a free software called Canva that may be useful.
Next Meeting Date
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• 7:45am,July 30, 2021
• 7:45am,August 27, 2021
• 7:45am, September 25, 2021
Meeting ended at 9:00 a.m.
Minutes submitted by Management Analyst, Katharine Labrecque
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