HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-02-VISION2025-minTown of Lexington
Vision for Lexington Committee Meeting
December 2, 2022
Remote Meeting
7:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Members Present: Margaret Coppe, Chair, Bob Peters, Bhumip Khasnabish, Daniel Joyner, Mark
Sandeen, Samita Mandelia, John Giudice, Andrew Dixon, Weidong Wang
Guests: Dan Krupka, Min Zhou
Staff Present: James Robinson
Absent: Shannon Murtagh, Mark Manasas
The meeting was called to order: 7:50 am
The Remote Meeting Script was read by Ms. Margaret Coppe.
Minutes:
Minutes from 9/30/2022 and 10/28/2022 were approved unanimously
Meeting Highlights:
VFL Website Report on Emails
Daniel Joyner provided the update that there are no new emails and the webpage is up to date. Bob
Peters and Margaret Coppe shared that the committee is seeking out previous Survey Reports. Marian
Cohen says there may be a document that the Town Webmaster can locate. Dan Krupka noted that he
has archived documents that could be reviewed.
Membership Review
Margaret Coppe welcomed Marian Cohen as a new member. There are still two vacancies.
Min is a guest who is interested in joining the committee and shared her background.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Update
Daniel Joyner shared that he completed a DEI-related course in Town and suggested a continued focus
on expanding communications as a means of pursuing DEI goals.
Mark Sandeen noted that there is a newly-hired DEI position in the Town Manager’s Office, the Chief
Equity Officer and suggested inviting them to a VFL Meeting.
Weidong Wang noted that the Town Meeting Members Association hosted a DEI instruction training.
Bob Peters highlighted the TMMA Training and shared that “Belonging” is a helpful addition to DEI, and
that “Diversity”, “Equity”, and “Inclusion” are individual efforts that need to be pursued.
Margaret Coppe suggested that the on-boarding process for new committee members include a DEI-
focused element.
Update on Subcommittee on Voter Participation in Lexington
Margaret Coppe noted that the work of the subcommittee is ongoing and is discussing current events.
Marian Cohen discussed the importance of education and civic curriculum in voter participation.
Marian Cohen also included social diversity into the conversation and that a group be formed regarding
that topic.
Next Steps: Discussion of new study Review of recommendations of previous studies Communications
Asian participation
Margaret Coppe discussed the Communications study and school communication.
Marian Cohen highlighted the Public Information Officer/Director of Communications and suggested
that the position also cover the school’s communications.
John Giudice added that the Center Streetscape Project was well-communicated, though added that
some functions of the town might not need the same level of communications, but perhaps a quarterly
program.
Mark Sandeen shared that parents of students receive more regular communications from the schools
than community members without school-age children.
Weidong Wang noted that the webpage navigation can be improved as a means to improve
communication.
Samita Madelia suggested utilizing the Town Webpage to provide more holistic communications for
events in Lexington.
John Giudice suggested drafting a list of priorities to share with the Town’s decision-makers.
Mark Sandeen highlighted the plan of a community charrette for downtown revitalization.
Bob Peters shared the Planning Board’s work on housing due to the MBTA Communities law where
there were successful and helpful engagement with residents surrounding the topic of multi-family
housing.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Next Meeting:
January 27, 2023 at 7:45am
Adjourn: 8:58am