HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-28-TOUR2-min
Town of Lexington
Tourism Committee
Dawn McKenna, Chair info@tourlexington.us
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
Tourism Committee Minutes
Thursday, April 28, 2022
3:30 pm
Conducted Remotely
Members Present: Marsha Baker, Kerry Brandin, Margaret Coppe, Bebe Fallick, Dawn McKenna, Elsie Xu
Members Absent: Wim Nijenberg
Others Present: Sandhya Iyer (Economic Development Director), Mark Connor, Anne Grady, David Green
(Temple Isaiah), Masha Traber (Temple Isaiah), Steve Poltorzycki (Lexington Council for the Arts Co-Chair)
1) Economic Development Report
During March 2022, 3,000 people visited. There were 4,200 counted over Patriots’ Day weekend. Sales data
for the time period was also presented. The Liberty Ride was sold out for the weekend and 218 took Battle
Green tours. Going forward the Liberty Ride tours will operate beginning Memorial Day weekend Fridays –
Mondays. Marketing efforts were increasing and there will be a television ad on Channel 5.
Sandhya indicated that they are working on data to present regarding the trolley and what to recommend
regarding purchasing going forward. A survey has been sent out to the Select Board, the Economic
Development Advisory, Center, and Tourism Committees, as well as business owners. She asked members of
the Committee to respond.
2) Tourism Projects
Bebe suggested that a rack card explaining the various options within the Visitors Center be developed. The
Committee discussed doing so. There was not sufficient interest in taking this on so it was left up to staff to
determine whether or not it was necessary.
Dawn reminded the Committee that they had voted to move forward with a proposed panel for the Visitors
Center, preferably to go in the diorama room, or perhaps downstairs. The panel would cover the three
presidential visits of George Washington on his 1789 celebration tour, Ulysses S. Grant’s visit in 1875 for the
Centennial, and Gerald Ford’s visit during the Bicentennial in 1975. On June 23, 2021 Michelle Jarvis, the
Exhibit Design Project Manager for the Visitors Center gave a proposal for design, fabrication, and
installation of $1,520 to complete the project. What has held it up has been finding a source of funding. The
Committee was asked for suggestions. Bebe suggested that Dawn contact Suzie Barry as there are funds to
support the 250th that must be spent by June 30th and this might fit in nicely. Dawn will do so.
The Battle Green Master Plan was discussed. The work should begin soon. One of the hold ups for the project
will be materials. Due to the pandemic and supply chain issues, the Department of Public Works, is waiting
additional time as is common in all areas now. It is expected that the contractors will begin work and do as
much as they can prepping and installing the materials they are able to secure. This just means the project is
likely to last beyond August.
3) New Proposals
Masha Traber and David Green presented their work on the Temple Isaiah Reparations. They are looking for
input from the Tourism Committee on ideas that might be acceptable. According to Masha Lexington residents
owned 110 slaves. One idea they are considering is a “steppingstone” project similar to what has recently been
done in Europe for the holocaust. In this case, stones would be placed at various locations in Lexington were
slaves were known to have lived. These stones would be marked with appropriate information. It was thought that
this idea could also lead to a walking trail map and might be of interest to visitors. The Committee was intrigued
by the idea. Once Temple Isaiah decides how they will move forward, they will come back to the Committee.
Mark Connor, who is a member of the Historic Districts Commission, has been working on a possible design and
location for the Hosmer House. Mark took input from the Tourism Committee and is hoping the Select Board will
consider his suggestion.
Stephen Poltorzycki, Co-Chair of the Lexington Council for the Arts, is working on a storefront public art project
which he presented to the Committee for support. The project is “Neighborhood Haiku.” Residents will be asked
to create three line Haiku poems. The project will include free workshops by local poets/teachers. A number of
them will be selected by a jury of local poets. Those selected will be painted by artists on storefront windows. The
goals are to “engage the community in creative enterprise, showcase local visual artists, highlight the remarkable
cultural diversity of the Town, and promote tourism and the local economy.” They hope to “increase a sense of
community and pride, support local artists, contribute to the economic vitality, and draw new visitors – from
Lexington and beyond – to discover and explore.” The Committee enthusiastically supported the idea and that it
be included in the marketing staff is doing. Steve was thanked for all the work he and the Arts Council have done
to stimulate art in Lexington.
Following up on our prior discussions to have the electric box that is behind the Visitors Center be painted as had
been done throughout town. Steve was asked to describe the process used to paint the boxes in East Lexington
that were recently done which he did. The Arts Council managed the project. It would require finding an artist,
discussing design, and paying a stipend for their service. Based on the amounts paid for the boxes previously
painted, and the slightly larger sign, Steve indicated that a stipend of $1,250 would be appropriate. Once the
Committee identifies a source of funding for the project, we will contact Steve.
4) Committee membership
Erin has contacted Dawn to indicate that she has left the employment of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce.
She will be submitting her resignation to the Select Board in the coming days. The Committee was asked if we
request that the Select Board appoint Carol Ward, Executive Director of the Lexington Historical Society in her
place. Previously, the Committee had recommended that Carol be appointed. The Committee reiterated their
believe that it is important that the Executive Director participate as a member of the Committee as had been the
case historically. Dawn will contact Jill Hai to inform her of our request to appoint Carol once the formal
resignation has been received.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 5:55 pm
Unanimously passed by roll call vote.
Respectfully submitted Dawn E. McKenna
Approved: September 29, 2022