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Monuments & Memorials Committee 2021 00 II[�)ee, 1 A3 Ipiiri
TOWN CLERK
Meeting Minutes LEXINGTON MA
Thursday, September 30, 2021
7:00 PM
For this meeting the TCC is convening by video conference by the application Zoom
as posted on the Town's website identifying how the public may join.*
Members Present
Linda Dixon, Chair; Avram Baskin, Glen Bassett, 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
Dawn McKenna, Tourism Committee
Betty Gau, Jessie Steigerwald, Corinne Steigerwald, Martha Wood, Kamala Raj, LexSeeHer
Business
Linda convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and read the Town notice regarding the conduct of
public virtual meetings.
Progress Report from the LexSeeHer Steering Committee
Betty Gau gave an update. The Steering Committee conducted a site visit of their preferred
monument site with members of the Monuments & Memorials Committee on September 1. Betty
showed a video clip from Kathryn Jacob, Historian, on the importance of monuments as memorials.
Dr. Jacob described a number of monuments and their histories.
Jessie Steigerwald outlined the LexSeeHer process and solicited comments from the Committee,
understanding that no vote would be taken this evening. Chair Dixon mentioned that, in examining
other recent women's monuments, she was most impressed with those whose figures were seated,
leaning, reaching, or otherwise giving the impression of movement and fluidity, vs. still figures in a
vertical position. These positions also reduced the overall scale and increased the intimacy of the
monument. In response to a question whether the Committee needed more information on the
women under consideration for the monument, Linda felt that they had adequate information, but
suggested that when possible, LexSeeHer might consider using an allegorical figure rather than an
actual person.
Dawn McKenna, Chair of the Tourism Committee, felt that who is honored is important. She sees
broad community agreement that the Suffrage movement and the Spinning event should be
represented, and recommended that the monument should depict a relevant female style rather than a
specific individual.
Corinne Steigerwald stated the importance of women in time.
Betty Gau asked if there were any questions about the artists. Doug Lucente was particularly
concerned about ongoing maintenance and asked that artists include information about upkeep on
their respective submissions. According to Jessie Steigerwald, they are building a budget that
includes funds for upkeep.
Doug said that stakeholders and Committee input needs to come to the Select Board.
David Pinsonneault mentioned the need to look at the structure and the environment.
Linda asked if LexSeeHer has to accept the design as the artist presents it. Jessie answered that they
will explore the initial designs and then decide how to go forward with presentations. It is an
iterative process. When will they know Monuments and Memorials decision? Linda stated that the
Committee would vote after the Tourism Committee and the Historic Districts Commission meet
and vote. The Monuments and Memorials Committee expects to see a design at their next meeting.
Kamala Raj urged that Monuments and Memorials be first in the process.
Dawn McKenna asked what they expect the setting of the monument to be. The Tourism
Committee needs information as to who is being honored.
Linda stated that this is a public process involving private citizens and several official Town
organizations and it is necessary to allow for the time required. Tourism and HDC are necessary
steps in this process. Jessie stated that LexSeeHer is anxious for some indication from the Select
Board.
Approval of Minutes of June 24, 2021
Upon motion moved and seconded, the minutes of June 24, 2021 were approved by roll call vote.
John Frey Memorial Marker—Final Resolution
The HDC has issued a Certificate of Appropriateness for the John Frey Memorial Marker. With this
last process step complete, the Monuments and Memorials Committee will forward their report
recommending approval to the Select Board.
Developing the Monuments and Memorials Database
The Committee is planning a Crowdsourcing campaign to encourage people to identify existing
monuments and memorials anywhere in town, and to submit information about them on a Reporting
Form. Danjun, Linda and Wei Ding (from the Celebrations Committee) have created a rudimentary
website with Town Webmaster Kathy Santos, and Linda showed the website and reporting form.
Both will be enhanced when Kathy Santos returns from medical leave.
To aid in Crowdsourcing, Linda asked for suggestions of email lists we could access to spread the
word about our project and connect users to our Reporting Form.
As the raw data is collected, it needs to be refined. Three honors history students at the High School
have offered to participate, and we are exploring opportunities with the Scouts. Leslie will lead a
coaching process for those involved. Dawn mentioned the possibility of using the Visitors Center as
a resource, along with Lexington Historical Society and the Town Archivist.
Chuck presented a spreadsheet that will serve as the foundation for building the database.
Developing a Policies & Procedures Manual
The Committee reviewed, discussed, and revised the first draft of the Policies and Procedures
manual. This was a good first step but the document will require multiple drafts.
Setting a New Committee Meeting Time
It was agreed that the Monuments and Memorials Committee will meet on the first Thursday of the
month, at 7 p.m.
Next meetings are November 4 and December 2, 2021;January 6 and February 3, 2022.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bebe Fallick, Secretary