2022-01-18-COD-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Update about Pandemic Effects Work Group – Stephanie Hsu Stephanie Hsu, HRC liaison, shared that the composition of the working group included Martha Duffield, and CoD members Victoria, Francine, Janet, Shaun and HRC members Mona. She reported that Kate DeAngelis, from the Recreation Committee, has provided support and guidance on the development of the survey. Stephanie also consulted with the people from the town’s Human Services Department. Currently, outreach plans will include focus groups and office hours for private session. The LexDEI inbox has been arranged to accommodate anonymous comments from community members. [https://www.lexingtonma.gov/human-rights-committee/news/lexdei-inbox-send-us-your- thoughts-perspectives-and-concerns-anything] Finally, Stephanie finished her discussion by sharing the timeline which will begin with focus groups in late February and early April, and a final report submitted in June. This report will include stories as well as a collection of links to town resources to support community members. Bonnie also shared the challenges that she has observed during the pandemic related to increasing difficulties mental health, physical isolation, missing life events, the challenges in behavioral health issues are pervasive. Announcements and New Business • The Commission welcomes Nancy Wong and John Rossi to complete the Commission membership which has been approved for 9 members instead of 8. • Elaine Dratch will be our new liaison from the Transportation Advisory Committee. Update on Willards Woods Victoria explained that there is growing push back about parking in the proposed enhancement at Willard Woods. We had proposed parking at an entrance on a residential street. Amber Carr, from Conservation, will keep us in the loop about the timing of next steps. Update on Munroe Center The Munroe team has gone ahead and tried to get their own grant to cover the architect’s feasibility study. If successful, this would accelerate the timeline by about a year. Len will reach out to Christina Burwell to help support their process. Jim Kelly also shared that they met with the town to review their vision for future planning. This meeting included the Planning and Recreation departments. As a public/private partnership, they have a good vision, but the town needs to begin the process of anticipating the cost of addressing the accessibility issues and renovations. Additional new business and updates on new projects • A new business, a bike shop, will be coming into the old Panera site in Lexington Center. Jim Kelly is meeting with them to ensure compliance with necessary code and accessibility concerns. He is suggesting that they also make an improvement to the signage for handicapped parking in the lot. • The Town has asked for mitigation behind 99 Hayden in the form of parking access to the trails in that space. Jim Kelly will be asking for handicapped parking. • Relative to increasing the visibility of the Commission, Bonnie suggested reaching out to Sean Dugan, the communication director for the Town, and the Colonial Times. Stephanie suggested “highlighting a committee a week” through the citizen’s education program. Meeting adjourned at 6:46pm. Minutes submitted by: Susan Cusack