HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-05-2020ECON-min.pdf Lexington 2020 Vision Committee
April 5, 2007 Meeting Minutes
7:45 am—Ellen Stone Room
Members Present: Fernando Quezada, Peter Enrich, Mollie Garberg, Stacey Hamilton, Ann
Redmon, Marian Cohen, George Burnell
Others: Candy McLaughlin, Ingrid Klimoff
Fernando called the meeting to order at 7:50 a.m.
The minutes from the March 8 meeting were approved.
Sustainable Lexington Task Force Transition. There was agreement that the draft charge for
the ad hoc committee should be simply stated, clearly parallel to and not overlapping with the
Energy Conservation Committee's charge. The Energy Committee's scope is Town and school
buildings; the Climate Action Plan will also cover businesses and residents. George emphasized
that the new ad hoc committee should focus on"nuts and bolts" as distinct from the "eyes on the
future"role of 2020 Vision. Candy will set up a Process Subcommittee meeting with Task Force
Chair Toby Sackton to discuss the draft charge, and will circulate it to the larger group by email.
With regard to potential members, Ingrid noted that the Chamber of Commerce should be
involved, and Peter affirmed that the business community needs to be at the table because the
Climate Action Plan will have things for them to do. Discussion will continue at the May
committee meeting.
Economic Development Task Force Update. Mollie reported that the group has been meeting
with business people as they work on creating an RFP for a consultant. A subgroup has been
formed to draft language and have the RFP ready June 1. A request to move money from
Economic Development personal services to expenses will be made under Town Meeting Article
42; the exact amount has not yet been determined. The Task Force is developing a work plan,
and anticipates that some work can also be done on a volunteer basis.
Larry Smith is going to provide analysis of other economic areas,though the most likely focus
for attention will be the area near the Hartwell Avenue and Bedford Street intersection.
Discussion ensued about the complex agenda for this area and the 20-year history of issues
including Massport,traffic, and neighborhood concerns. Mollie responded that the Task Force
wants to inform the debate, not rehash old issues. They will go before the Planning Board and
the Appropriations Committee in the near future to give them a current update. Fernando
commended the Task force for their steady progress.
Written Report to Town Meeting. This year the 2020 Vision Committee will not make a
verbal report to Town Meeting under Article 2, but will provide a written update. Comments
were made on a draft, which Candy will revise and circulate and then finalize on April 23 for
distribution to Town Meeting on April 25.
Input to Elected Board Goal Setting. The Committee will review the 2020 Vision goals and
the recommendations of the four Task Forces to identify potential input to the Board of
Selectmen goal setting process. Mollie suggested looking at how changing demographics and
land use will affect current Board goals. Peter said the Committee should also offer their broader
perspective as a resource to help the Selectmen think about issues more than 18 months into the
future. The Committee will work through Town Manager Carl Valente with regard to the
Selectmen's goal setting process. Fernando will call School Committee Chair Tom Diaz to
identify the opportunity for 2020 Vision to inform their annual goal setting process. He will also
note that Carl attends Committee meetings fairly regularly, and communicate that Superintendent
Paul Ash would be welcome as well.
Candy passed around an informational survey that Arlington 2020 Vision recently distributed to
Arlington residents via the Town Census. This is an annual project.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 am.