HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-06-MMC-min Monuments and Memorials Committee
Minutes of Meeting
July 6, 2017
Reed Room, Town Office Building
Attendance
Sam Doran, Chair; members Linda Dixon, Kathy Jacob and Charlie Price; Liaison from the
Board of Selectmen Suzie Barry. Guests included Dave Pinsonneault, Director of Public Works,
and Matt Mallio, Reporter for the Lexington Minuteman.
Summary of Selectmen's Meeting on June 19, 2017
At its regular meeting of June 19, 2017,the Board of Selectmen approved the treatment method
for the Minuteman Statue recommended by Joshua Craine of Daedalus Associates and endorsed
by the Monuments and Memorials Committee. The Board directed Director of Public Works
Dave Pinsonneault to obtain bids, select a contractor, and oversee the restoration process.
Update on Restoration Project
Dave Pinsonneault reported that his department had identified seven possible firms specializing
in this type of conservation work and sent out a request for proposals with a submission deadline
of July 14. Criteria for selection included professional membership in the American Institute for
Conservancy and Historical Works; experience working in an outdoor environment; and
familiarity working with metal.
The Town wants this work underway by August or September at the latest. Depending on the
work schedules of the responding firms, however, the project may have to be delayed until
spring 2018. A dedicated budget of$50,000 has been set aside for this work.
All bidders have been asked to match the present green patina as closely as possible. The
winning bidder will submit three different color samples to the Monuments and Memorials
Committee, the Board of Selectmen, and the Facilities Department. The contractor will be given
leeway in selecting the appropriate cleaning and finishing materials and methods. In response to
a committee request to install signage as a"descriptor"to keep the public abreast of the ongoing
work, Dave agreed it was a good idea and will see what can be done.
Repairs on the base of the statue have been completed. A stone conservator has examined the
base and declared it to be in very good shape.
Once the statue work is completed, the same cleaning and restoration work will proceed on the
Minutemen Memorial located across Bedford Street. A separate landscaping study is underway
to resolve issues including the status of the fence surrounding this monument. The landscaping
study will be shared with the Tourism and Town Celebrations Committees, the Historic District
Commission, and the Board of Selectmen.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Dixon