HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-10-MMC-min Monuments & Memorials Committee
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, June 10, 2021
Conducted by Remote Participation
7:00 PM
Members Present
Linda Dixon, Chair; Avram Baskin, Bebe Fallick, Chuck French, George Gamota,
Danjun Pu, Charles Price
Members Not Present
Glen Bassett, Leslie Masson
Guests
Doug Lucente, Vice Chair, Select Board
Dave Pinsonneault, Director, Department of Public Works
Betty Gau and Jessie Steigerwald, LexSeeHer Steering Committee
Jim Wood, Lexington Tree Committee
Citizen participation: Dawn McKenna, Tourism Chair; Wendy Reasenberg; Anne Lee; Mai
Huong,
Business
Linda convened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. and read the Town notice regarding the conduct
of public virtual meetings.
Approval by rollcall of Minutes of May, 27, 2021.
LexSeeHer: A Concept Description from the LexSeeHer Steering Committee, Betty
Gau and Jessie Steigerwald, Presenters
Betty and Jessie presented a video that introduced members of the Committee, provided
general background including images of several recently constructed monuments to
women in various US locations. They outlined their concept and process as they pursue
their goal: to erect a monument that will represent both the individual lives of real women
and also address the theme of Liberty and what Liberty means to women across time.
LexSeeHer has sent out a Call for Artists and hopes to select a finalist later in 2021 with
unveiling occurring in 2022 or 2023. They have launched a fundraising campaign and
intend to cover all costs from private donations. Their preferred site is located near the
corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Merriam Street (identified as Site 15). As this site is
located within the Battle Green Master Plan area, they are seeking approval from the
Select Board to grant special permission to erect their monument.
The Committee asked a variety of questions for further information: who would be
represented by the monument and why; would it be representational; how will agreement
on the final choices be achieved; have they obtained permission for the site; have they
considered any alternate sites. After a lively and productive discussion, all agreed that
this effort is in the early stages and more meetings will follow.
Continuing Discussion on John Frey Marker
James Wood presented several slides from Tower Park showing a simulated marker on
the ground representing the John Frey marker and its relationship to the three red oak
trees previously planted. The wording is nearing completion and funding has been
assured ($1000 from Town DPW budget and $400 from Bicycle Committee donations).
After discussion, a motion was made, seconded, and voted by roll call vote to send a
unanimous recommendation of approval for this marker to the Select Board.
Continuing Discussion on Lafayette Marker
On June 2, Linda, Bebe and George met with Marsha Baker to view two of her proposed
sites. Linda showed a photo of the recommended site at the entrance to Belfry Park, on
Massachusetts Avenue approaching the corner of Clarke Street. Per Dave Pinsonneault,
the undergrowth now present will be pruned to create a cleared spot. Her working group
felt that the good visibility from the cleared ground, the sign's distinctive colors (red,
white and blue on a white pole) and the authenticity of the location (this is a spot where
Lafayette actually stood), are strong reasons for locating the marker on this spot.
In the discussion, the committee was aware that this location fell in the Battle Green area.
They nonetheless felt that this marker was appropriate for the recommended location
because 1) it honored a true hero of the Revolution, living up to the Revolutionary theme
of the Battle Green; and 2) the site was a good distance away from the Minute Man and
not as politically sensitive as other nearby sites might be. Even with a positive vote from
this committee, Marsha Baker would still have to meet with the Tourism Committee and
the Historic District Commission and obtain their permission to move forward. After
discussion on the appropriateness of a vote to approve the proposal with two more
agencies yet to render a decision, the committee decided to proceed with their vote.
With this understanding, a motion was made, seconded and voted by roll call vote to send
a unanimous recommendation of approval for this marker to the Select Board. Member
Leslie Masson, unable to attend the meeting, submitted a letter of support.
Report on Database Working Group Meeting at DPW
Chuck French, Dave Pinsonneault, Danjun Pu, and Linda Dixon met at Dave's office to
start work on the database. More detail will be provided at next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Next meeting: June 24, 2021 —7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bebe Fallick, Interim Secretary