HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-05-24-2020-minTown of Lexington
Lexington 2020 Vision Committee
Minutes of Meeting of May 24, 2013
A meeting of the 2020 Vision Committee was held on Friday, May 24 at 7:45 a.m. in the Selectmen's
Meeting Room in the Town Office Building at 1625 Massachusetts Avenue.
Members Present: Fernando Quezada, Dan Krupka, Marian Cohen, Alan Wrigley, Andrew Dixon, Peter
Enrich, Jane Warren, Peter Lee, School Committee Liaison Margaret Coppe, BOS Liaison Joe Pato
Staff: Candy McLaughlin
Members Absent: Chuck Benson, Bhumip Khasnabish, Planning Board Liaison Greg Zurlo
Others present: Carroll Ann Bottino
Action Items:
• As input to Selectmen goal setting, offer Committee's assistance on long -range community issues.
(Fernando /Candy)
• Follow up on potential new members for Committee. (Fernando)
• Ask three elected Boards for suggestions on where to focus analysis of the community survey results.
(Fernando /Candy)
The meeting was called to order at 7:53 a.m. and acted on the following items:
Approved the minutes from April 12, 2013.
Received update from subcommittee on demographic change. Dan Krupka reported that the subcommittee
has completed 33 interviews of Asians who have participated in school or Town organizations or committees,
and they have 5 more interviews pending. Most participants have been first generation, but a few are from
generation 1 -1/2 (came here as young children) and they have a significantly different attitude. The
subcommittee is working on tasks to complete their report by December. Margaret Heitz will send an
announcement to the Minuteman asking any past Asian participants to contact the subcommittee if they have
input for the report. Dan commented that it is important to treat the input as individual experiences and not
interpolate comments as "Asian" or even "Chinese."
A sample of what they have learned from the people interviewed:
• Most were invited to participate by other PTA or committee members.
• They experienced no problems participating.
Most don't like to serve on Town committees because: they view it as political, they feel there is an
entrenched culture, it requires a multi -year commitment and attendance at monthly meetings, and you can't
always join the committee you want. Most prefer working on projects with clearly - defined goals and a
finite time frame.
Committee members discussed possible reasons for these views, including the fact that Lexington is insular in
many ways and people lacking "cultural capital" may find community involvement uncomfortable. Peter Lee
commented that many Asians don't conceive of government as something you participate in voluntarily, but
feels the tide is changing and people are starting to realize "this is our town." Also, involvement in school
activities with their kids can be an entry point.
Discussed community survey analysis. Marian said she has ideas for analyzing the survey results in ways
that are true to the data. Because the possibilities for analysis are almost endless, she would like to focus on
what it would be most helpful to know, and suggested asking the elected boards what would be of greatest
interest to them.
Postponed discussion of Citizens' mini - Academy idea until the next meeting.
Meeting Adjourned: 9:00 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Candy McLaughlin, Scribe
Next meeting: Friday, June 21 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room