2023-09-07-MMC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Monuments & Memorials Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 7, 2023 7:00 p.m. Parker Room, Town Office Building, and by Zoom Members Present: Linda Dixon, Chair; Avram Baskin, Bebe Fallick, Chuck French, George Gamota. Members Absent: Glen Bassett, Leslie Masson, Charlie Price, Danjun Pu Guests: Carolyn Nutt, Patricia Karakashian, and Charlene Goddard-Lowe, Massachusetts DAR. Business:  Linda convened the meeting at 7:15 after initial technical difficulties. She read the Town notice regarding the conduct of public virtual meetings, and declared that a quorum was present.  The committee approved the minutes of its meeting of June 1, 2023 by roll call vote. Massachusetts DAR Proposal Carolyn Nutt, Regent, Patricia Karakashian, and Charlene Goddard-Lowe of the Massachusetts DAR informed the Committee that the DAR wishes to install a commemorative plaque in Lexington as part of Lex250. They are interested in locations on the Battle Green, Buckman Tavern, and the Hancock-Clarke House and have attended a preliminary meeting with Lex250. On August 31, these individuals joined Chair Dixon and DPW Director David Pinsonneault on the Buckman Tavern grounds to examine possible sites. DAR ruled out a site adjacent to the proposed marker by the Lexington DAR Chapter, claiming that the quiet location would not meet the national criteria for locating their marker, which needs to be in a high traffic area. The group spent considerable time examining a site near the walkway leading to Buckman Tavern. DAR would like to place a boulder, with marker attached, just to the right of the walkway. This would provide balance to the existing memorial to Prince Estabrook on the opposite side of the path. This location also has special meaning as the traditional meeting place for a group of DAR members and Lexington Minute Men annually on Patriots’ Day as they walk to the Battle Green for a solemn dedication ceremony. In discussion, the point was raised, “why do we need two DAR markers?” Carolyn Nutt explained that the local chapter and the state chapter, representing the national organization, were two distinct organizations. Avram wondered, if this committee approves a plethora of th markers, in 50 years’ time at our 300 commemoration, will people look back and disapprove of th all the markers? Charlene Goddard-Lyle countered with, in 50 years’ time, what if the 300 committee looks back and sees no markers, no evidence of remembrance, from 50 years ago. What message does that convey?