HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-21-LHRC-min RECEIVED
Town of Lexington, Human Rights Committee Meeting 2021 29 IIMov, 3A,5 Ipui °m
TOWN CLERK
Thursday, October 21, 2021 LEXINGTON MA
Virtual
8:30a.m.-9:36a.m.
Present Members:Tanya Gisolfi [TG] (Chair), Monami D. Roy [MDR] (Vice Chair), Stephanie Hsu
[SH] (Clerk), Chris Barry [CB] (Police Department), Scott Bokun [SB] (School Committee
Member), Cleveland Coates, Melissa Interess [MI] (Town Manager's Office Member/Human
Services Department)joined at 8:40am
Meeting called to order at 8:32 AM, Quorum was present at 8:32 AM
1. Welcome
2. Minutes—SB moved to approve September 9, 2021 minutes with the request for co-
sponsorship of Dyslexia/ADHD Awareness Month Activities attached.CB Second; Minutes
approved unanimously
3. Co-Sponsorship request for Transgender Day of Remembrance—Valerie Overton
presented the co-sponsorship request. Date November 20, 2021, 7pm.
TG moved to approve; MR second; approved unanimously
4. No Hate November-SH reported Human Services will be a permanent co-sponsor of No
Hate November. We have received great support from the community and that we will
likely have between 5-6 interviews and 2 anonymous stories to share, along with videos
and photos of support that will be posted on the website. The public discussion will take
place on November 9, 5-6pm and staff from Human Services will help facilitate. LHS
students who watch the videos or participate in discussion will earn service hours. The
Munroe Center for the Arts will host a Kindness Rock making activity on November 19,
3-4:30pm. The No Hate November website and Kindness Challenge will be ready to
launch by November 1.
5. Workgroups
a. Impact of COVID on Persons with Disabilities—SH will take over chairing this
committee. Notice to community for volunteers will be put out to form the
workgroup.
b. MLK Community Conversation on Race—TG—first meeting has taken place, and
anyone interested please email us at the Human Rights Committee email
address. MDR—topic still under discussion.
6. Updates from Members
Committee members gave updates regarding meetings attended or planned. CB
updated on an incident at Re-Discovery Day. SB indicated there have been several
fighting incidents in the schools and investigations are underway. SH requested that
Kate DeAngelis, the Therapeutic Recreation Specialist present on their adaptive
programing come to HRC at a future meeting. MDR noted that October has been
declared Hindu Heritage Month by the State.
7. Chair Report—TG gave a verbal report detailing many meetings attended and noted
work with Julie Fenn at LHS and Sharon Gunda, Human Services Department, to work
toward a larger Community Civility Discourse town encompassing event. Written report
will be presented next month.
8. Unexpected Items Not Reasonably Anticipated in Advance
Member asked whether should have a logo for the LHRC? MI recommended using Logo
Tournament which is what they used for Human Services. Martha Duffield will find out if
we can have a logo. Committee agreed we should investigate this and discuss further at
the next meeting.
9. Public Comments For Items Not on the Agenda
Public comments included concerns around the recent report on policing in Lexington
through the town, appreciation of the LPD for looking into the Re-Discovery Day
incident, and encouragement to support the Planning Board CSRD article.
MDR Motion to adjourn; CB Second - Approved unanimously
Next Meeting Date and Time: November 18, 2021, at 8:30am
Attachments:
Request for co-sponsorship of Transgender Day of Remembrance
Chair Report