HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-27-MMC-min Monuments & Memorials Committee
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Conducted by Remote Participation*
7:05 PM
Members Present
Linda Dixon, Chair; Avram Baskin, Bebe Fallick, Chuck French, George Gamota, Leslie
Masson, Danjun Pu
Members Not Present
Charles Price
Glen Bassett
Guests
Doug Lucente, Vice Chair, Select Board
Dave Pinsonneault, Director, Department of Public Works
Gina Rada, Veterans' Services Director, Lexington/Bedford/Carlisle
Business
Linda convened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. and read the Town notice regarding the conduct of
public virtual meetings.
Lafayette Trail Marker: A Proposal from Lexington Historical Society, Marsha Baker and Bill
Poole, Presenters; Julien Icher, The Lafayette Trail Inc.
Lafayette visited Lexington on August 24, 1824. Marsha described the welcoming banner which the
Historical Society has in its collection and the document requesting powder for a gun salute.
The Lafayette Trail Inc. has funding to offer 175 markers free of charge (covering manufacturing
and shipping) to interested communities where Lafayette visited. Mounting the sign on the pole,
installing the marker and maintaining it are the responsibility of the recipient. Markers are 2 feet by
3 feet cast aluminum atop a 7 foot aluminum pole (3 feet of the pole will be underground after
installation.
Lexington's Sister City Association (Antony, France) has been approached for the funding to be
sent to the Lafayette Trail Inc.
Various possible locations were discussed:
Revolutionary War Monument on Battle Green
Island at Mass Avenue and Harrington Road
Belfry Park opposite the Battle Green
The area of the current CVS where the Monument House Hotel displayed the banner
Julien Icher stated that 25 markers have already been installed across US.
Julien talked of the tour history and the connection with the Revolution.
Bill Poole praised the work of Marsha Baker
Dave P stated that the CVS area is prohibitive because of the ongoing streetscape work
Questions: date, time needed for all to be installed
Avram: Battle Green not a possibility?
Julien spoke to his feeling that Lafayette is significant and should be placed on the Green
George outlined the connection with Emery Park for the marker and the Depot where the banner
could be placed
It was suggested that an entire meeting be devoted to the Battle Green Master Plan (approved 2011).
Bebe advised inviting Dawn McKenna, Chair of the Tourism Committee, because of her knowledge
of the plan.
Linda asked for a walkabout of the proposed marker spots
John Frey Memorial Marker: A Proposal from the Lexington Tree Committee, Jim Wood,
Chair, Tree Committee
George Gagliardi, Bike Committee; Chris Filadoro, DPW;
Red oak trees to memorialize John Frey for his service on the Tree Committee and numerous
further committees have already been planted on Arbor Day. The Tree Committee wishes to
install a flush mounted granite stone (3 feet by 1 by 4) adjacent to one of the trees. The
monument, created by the Newton Memorial Art Company, will have the following inscription:
THREE RED OAKS DAEDICTED TO
JOHN W. FREY LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT FALSA
FOUNDING MEMBER AND CHAIRMAN TREE
COMMITTEE 2001-2018 BIKE COMMITTEE 24
YEARS WITH SEVICE ON 9 OTHER COMMITTEES
The current cost of the stone with engraving is just under $1400 . It will be paid for by the Tree
and Bike Committees.
Chris stated that lawn maintenance would not be a problem.
Avram stated the need for a process to honor Lexingtonians going forward.
Chris mentioned the options of trees and benches, and John's wish for trees.
Chuck mentioned the need to document on a map where a monument stands.
Doug approved and indicated that the marker approval needs to go to the Selectboard.
Bebe spoke in favor of the need to honor John for all his contributions to the Town.
Tonight's presentations pointed out some of the process details that will need to be discussed in
the future as the Committee develops its new parameters.
DEVELOPING THE MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS DATABASE
Chuck spoke of the existing Tourism Committee and Economic Development Website (Google)
and Dave's spreadsheet(Excel). Work will be done to combine the two and enhance it with
points of interest.
M&M needs to be a committee that asks for info before an applicant comes to a meeting.
Linda stated that we need to develop and publish a list of all monuments and memorials.
Inventory categories need to be expanded—items need to be imported for the future
Avram will put together a list of group responsibilities.
George has created a first pass at a Submission Form. Since the Submission Form was not listed
as an agenda item, there could be no further discussion.
LexSeeHer Steering Committee will present at next meeting.
Minutes of May 13, 2021, were approved.
The meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.
Next meeting: June 10, 2021 - 7 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Bebe Fallick, Interim Secretary