HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-25-2020-min
Town of Lexington
Lexington 20/20 Vision Committee
Minutes of Meeting of June 25, 2015
20/20 Vision Committee
A meeting of the was held on Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 7:45 a.m. in the
Parker Room in the Town Office Building at 1625 Massachusetts Avenue.
Members Present:
Peter Lee, Joe Pato, Dan Krupka, , Andrew Dixon, Alan Wrigley, Bhumip
Khasnabish, Peter Enrich, Fernando Quezada.
Members Absent:
, Saatvik Ahluwalia, Margaret Coppe, Carroll Ann Bottino, Ginna Johnson, Matthew
Pronchik
Others Present:
Marian Cohen, Elaine Ashton
The meeting was called to order at 7:45 a.m.
The minutes from the 20/20 Vision Committee meeting of May 22, 2015 were reviewed and approved.
Regarding the review of report of the May 13, 2015 special meeting and “Bright Idea” press release, Dan
Krupka highlighted the recommendation that recruitment for Town committees take place through PTA &
PTO groups. As a comment from a community attendee involved in PTA, Elaine Aston mentioned that
this would be a good idea. Another community attendee, Marian Cohen, mentioned that School
Councils are in a good position to share information. Peter Enrich pointed out that this is also a good way
to attract younger Lexington residents to committee participation.
The Committee voted to approve the recommendations presented in Dan Krupka’s meeting report. Dan
mentioned that he would proceed to circulate the report and related press release that would also
highlight the recognition from the Ash Center. The release would be based on the news that the meeting
was held and that there is upcoming work ahead. The distribution targets would include the Minuteman,
the Boston Globe, the Town web site. Joe Pato suggested that he also distribute the press release
through the Colonial Times, TMMA list, and the Lexington list as well as the Indian and Chinese
community newsletters.
In discussing one of the proposed new 20/20 focus areas, Peter Enrich mentioned that there was not
necessarily any new information to report on the proposed initiative on issues of diversity beyond race
and ethnicity. In framing the approach to these issues, his main concern is how the 2020 effort in this
area affects or intersects with what the Planning Board is planning to do in the housing area. He said that
there will likely be an overlap of interests in looking at trends in age, income and duration of residency as
categories of diversity. It was mentioned that a Town Meeting proposal on mansionization would likely be
scheduled for April 2016. Joe Pato said that perhaps January 2016 could be targeted for the 2020 effort.
He also stated that Lexington is fully built out and that options for new developments are highly limited.
Community attendee Marian Cohen said that she may be able to help think through the exercise and
Committee member Andrew Dixon said he will help with this effort. F. Quezada said he would also try to
get other volunteers.
On the topic of the future of e-government as a new 20/20 Vision Committee focus area, Bhumip
Khasnabish distributed a handout with a basic outline of some of the issues involved. F. Quezada
observed that two aspects to consider include the concern for Lexington to remain at the forefront of
modern applications of electronic applications for effective town government as well as the concern for
avoiding a “digital divide” in the community. Peter Enrich stressed the importance of improving
community participation in governance activities and enhancing the sense of community. Marian said
that it could eventually affect the rate of voter registration. Alan Wrigley asked if that would imply a
“virtual community”. Joe Pato said there would be increased capacity to reach out to people to let them
know about meetings. Peter Enrich said there is still a need to determine what is role of the 20/20
Committee would be vis-a-vis Donna Hooper’s activity. Discussion on how to open up a process to
engage the larger community brought forth suggestions of possible workshops. Joe Pato mentioned the
need to meet people where they are in the learning process.
Dan Krupka provided an update on framework for study of community models of multicultural integration.
He mentioned that representatives of CAAL and IAL have agreed to work on the project. One of the
tasks is to determine which communities in the US. What can we learn about them? What have they
done in this area? Dan mentioned the need to involve additional persons.
F.Quezada thanked the committee for responding to the call for input on the Board of Selectmen goal
setting exercise which was duly forwarded to the Board.
Regarding next meeting dates, F.Quezada mentioned that the meetings will return to Fridays and that a
confirmed list of dates will be sent by email.
..
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 am