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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-17-2020-min 2020 Vision Implementation Committee Joint Meeting th Monday, October 17, 2005 Meeting Minutes Selectmen’s Meeting Room 7:45 am Members present: Fernando Quezada, Peter Enrich, Ann Redmon, Stacey Hamilton, Scott Burson, Richard Pagett, Tom Harden Others: Jeanne Krieger, Carl Valente, Tom Diaz, Paul Ash, Candy McLaughlin, Maryann McCall-Taylor, Tom Watkins Call To Order and Introduction Fernando opened the meeting by first welcoming everyone and asking all of the attendees to identify themselves. He clarified that, although the meeting was a regular 2020 Committee Meeting, it also served the purpose of holding a joint discussion with representatives of the three elected Boards and related staff members on the topic of 2020 activities. The meeting minutes th from September 7, 2005 were then approved. He then asked Peter to help articulate why the 2020 Committee felt the need to touch base with the Boards and renew mutual understandings of priority areas to address. Peter stated that there were two major themes: 1. Checking in on the status of the 2 Task Force reports 2. Guidance as to where 2020 shall go next: a. Important to look back at goals and assess their status b. Can the same constructive process be implemented again? Fernando also noted that it is important to review the goals and revisit the process periodically because the composition of the Boards changes. Implementation of Task Force Recommendations Constructive Community Discourse Task Force: Fernando asked Ann to discuss the ideas raised at the recent status meeting of the Community Discourse Task Force. She mentioned: ?? “Last Night” ?? Improving Town website ?? Training for Committee chairs ?? A gathering place for Lexington residents. More specifically, a multi-generational Community Center. Candy commented that staff is currently working on training for committee chairs and planning improvements to the website. Different people mentioned the Farmer’s market and the Library’s programs, which provide gathering places that relate somewhat to the community center idea. It was also mentioned that Avalon Properties has proposed Kline Hall as a community center for all residents to use, however, the location is not that desirable because it is far from the Town Center. Jeanne stated that the multi-purpose community center idea is worth exploring further. Peter asked what is the next step? It was discussed that the senior citizens of Lexington do want a Senior Center and not a Community Center in which the facility would have to be shared with teens. Peter asked if the Senior Center Action Committee would be charged with exploring a multi-generational use for such a facility. Jeanne replied that although the idea probably will be discussed, the goal of the Senior Center Action Committee is to explore future sites for a Senior Center. Richard commented that one of the major problems with the idea of a multi-generational facility is that there is no living example of how such a facility works and is managed. He also said that such a facility would have to be double the size and the real issue behind it all is money. Budget Task Force: Peter described the various ways in which several recommendations of the Budget Task Force were already being adopted. The recommendation to appoint a Financial Policy Review committee has been adopted and the committee is actively working. Carl talked about beginning the budget process earlier, and engaging the schools in moving the budget schedule forward. He also discussed communicating with the citizens about the ongoing budget process, and utilizing such communication tools as the Town’s website and LexMedia to do so. New or Renewed Task Forces Following additional discussion, there was general consensus on revisiting the idea of an Economic Development Task Force. It was suggested that a renewed effort would be made to involving area businesses and providing adequate leadership and 2020 Committee support for this effort. Additionally, topic of Sustainable Lexington was raised. Jeanne mentioned that an ongoing concern in this area is to encourage environmentally sensitive practices in the community among households, businesses and the town departments themselves. Richard asked whether or not discussing such ideas would duplicate the work of other committees? Fernando answered by stating that 2020 is not an implementation group but can help to integrate the vision and incorporate the objectives and concerns of both new and existing committees and groups. It was agreed that the 2020 committee would explore the creation of a Sustainable Lexington Task Force as part of the 2020 Vision process. This group would address several of the goals in Theme III (Sustain/Enhance Physical Character & Environment) of the original 2020 Vision report. Emergency Planning and Preparedness Fernando asked the group for any thoughts on the recent Avian Flu epidemic and what, if any, could 2020 or the Town do to address the issue? Carl stated that such an issue falls into the category of emergency planning and preparedness. He stated that the Town is currently working to improve their current emergency planning efforts in the hopes of making them more efficient and conducive to recent emergency issues. Such a process, Carl noted, requires community input. Progress Report and Future Direction Candy distributed samples of the February 2003 Progress Report that was mailed town-wide. She welcomed suggestions on format and content for a new progress report in the near future. Adjournment Peter and Fernando concluded the meeting by stating that this session had been very helpful. The 2020 process has been successful in bringing together diverse groups in the community to share ideas and thoughts with each other. Fernando noted the 2020 Vision Committee will continue to support the Town’s leadership in working for the future of the Town of Lexington, its residents, and visitors. Fernando concluded the meeting by thanking all who had come. Future Committee Meeting: ?? Thursday, November 3 at 7:45 am in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room ?? Thursday, December 8, same time and place