HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-30-TOUR2-min
Town of Lexington
Tourism Committee
Tourism Committee Minutes
Thursday, September 30, 2021
3:30 pm
Conducted Remotely
Members: Dawn McKenna, Bebe Fallick, Kerry Brandin, Marsha Baker, Wim Nijenberg, Sarah
Boulas, Jon Himmel, Margaret Coppe
Center Committee Liaison: Fred Johnson
Economic Development Staff: Casey Hagerty, Sandhya Iyer
Guests: Pam Lyons, Center Committee; Erin Sandler -Rathe, Lexington Chamber of
Commerce Executive Director
Ribbon Cutting October 7th at 9:30 am
The Committee discussed details about the upcoming Ribbon Cutting. 150 copies of the program will be
printed. The committee discussed details such as who should cut the ribbon and groupings for pictures.
Discovery Day
Some Committee members volunteered to work the table at Discovery Day.
Committee Vacancies
A motion was made and seconded to recommend to the Select Board to appoint Erin Sandler Rathe
from the Chamber of Commerce and Carol Ward from the Lexington Historical Society to the Tourism
Committee. The motion passed by roll call vote 8 -0.
Budget Reco mmendations
The Committee discussed their proposals for the next fiscal year. Their proposals include using the
trolley to pick up visitors from Alewife Station during the weekend, making the Economic
Development Coordinator Position full time for tourism, and increasing the marketing budget to 10%
of the Hotel and Meals tax numbers.
Ms. Iyer explained to the Tourism Committee that budget has already been sent to the Select Board
for review. She mentioned that the Economic Development Office has submitted two program
improvement requests: one to move the Visitors Center Manager to the EDO budget and the other to
increase the Assistant Visitors Center Manager to full time.
A motion was made and seconded for the Tourism Committee to send a memo to the Select
Board asking them to consider their three ideas and to support the two PIRs that staff is
recommending. The motion passed by roll call vote 8-0.
ARPA funds will be discussed at the next meeting.
Lafayette marker location and HDC Meeting tonight
Marsha Baker explained that she met with Dave Pinsonneault and Dawn McKenna about a location for
the Lafeyette Marker. She will be going to the HDC for approval on October 7 th.
Cultural District presentation to Select Board
Ms. Coppe explained that she will be going to the Select Board the following week to give a
presentation about Cultural Districts. They will be asking the Select Board to sign a resolution. They are
also planning a large community meeting to teach the community about the effort to become a cu ltural
district.
Bus Shelter at Emery Park
Pam Lyons from the Transportation Safety Group was at the meeting to present her idea for a bus shelter
at Emery Park. She explained that it is one of the busiest bus stops in Town and there is no place for
people to wait in bad weather. The Committee discussed the proposal. Members were not sure how this
proposal would have an impact on Tourism and decided not to take a position. It will be discussed at a
future meeting.
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. The motion passed by roll call vote 8-0.
Submitted by Casey Hagerty, Economic Development Coordinator
Approved: July 14, 2022