HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-13-TOUR2-min
Town of Lexington
Tourism Committee
Dawn McKenna, Chair info@tourlexington.us
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
Tourism Committee Minutes
Thursday, January 13, 2022
3:30 pm
Conducted Remotely
Members Present: Marsha Baker, Kerry Brandin, Margaret Coppe, Bebe Fallick, Dawn McKenna, Erin Sandler-
Rathe
Members Absent: Sarah Boulos, Wim Nijenberg, Elsie Xu
Also Present: Doug Lucente (Select Board Liaison), Casey Hagerty (Economic Development Coordinator), Carol
Ward (Executive Director, Lexington Historical Society), John Livsey (Town Engineer), Michelle Jarvis (Exhibit
Project Manager)
1) Battle Green Master Plan
John Livsey, Town Engineer, presented the Streetscape portion of the Battle Green Master Plan to the Committee
that had been presented to the Select Board in December. The streetscape portion of the Battle Green Master Plan
has been in design since 2016. John is seeking input from the Tourism Committee. The streetscape specifically
involves improvements to the roadway network around the Battle Green and the three intersections that surround
it, as well as the perimeter sidewalks. They are: Mass. Ave and Bedford St.; Mass Ave. and Harrington Road; and
Harrington Road and Bedford Street. There were 11 different design options considered for the Harrington Road
and Bedford Street intersection. As part of the process several trials of the impact of proposals were conducted
and results analyzed.
Dawn disclosed that she and her husband are abutters to the Harrington Road and Bedford Street intersection. She
also confirmed that the land is owned by the Town as part of Buckman Park for which there exists a long-term
lease. Committee members would be asked to comment on the project through John before Dawn.
Erin asked about whether there was a sufficient turning radius to accommodate the Patriots’ Day parade. John
needed to understand more Kerry asked about the differences between an at-grade or raised island, especially
around the Minute Man Statue. Margaret commented the design at that intersection was a “big improvement.”
Regarding the intersection at Harrington Road and Bedford Street, Margaret indicated while previously opposed,
anything that could be done to slow down the traffic is important. Margaret felt that elimination of the slip lane
from Bedford Street down Hancock St. was key. She also asked whether there would be improved lighting,
especially near the crosswalk area. John indicated that there is no plan yet regarding the lighting. Marsha
indicated that the crosswalk from Buckman Tavern to the Battle Green is dark at night and needs lighting and that
she is strongly supportive of the roundabout. Once all members wanting to make comments spoke, Dawn
validated that the proposals for both the Mass. Ave. at Bedford Street, and Mass Ave. and Harrington Road
intersection designs were consistent with what was presented at the start of the design project and meet the goals
laid out by the Committee and Engineering for those areas. Dawn agreed with the comments by Marsha and
Margaret that she too had been against roundabouts but based on positive experiences with a roundabout on
Martha’s Vineyard that solved a longstanding traffic problem, she too in general is now a fan of them. With
respect to abutting the intersection, Dawn explained that she feels that she is a steward of the property at a period
in time and has a preservation perspective on the intersection and the Battle Green area generally. Having watched
the traffic go through that intersection for many years and experienced first-hand all the trials, she felt like the
possible solution that would have the least impact on the historic nature of the area had not been tried. There are
many historical images that show that intersection as a triangle. Further, one of the original recommendations of
the Master Plan was that no more land be taken as the Battle Green has shrunk considerably over the years,
primarily due to traffic encroachments. Separately, Dawn also mentioned that the sidewalk between the Minute
Man Statue and the Belfry Hill accessible viewing area on Clarke Street needs to be improved to make it
accessible. Otherwise, if those with mobility issues cannot get to the area designed for them to experience Belfry
Hill, it defeats the purpose of providing an accessible viewing area.
Michelle Jarvis then reviewed the changes to the Interpretative Rails since our last meeting, the main focus of
which was the illustration on the panel titled “Birthplace of American Liberty.” The panel is primarily about the
Battle looking from the perspective of visitors standing with their backs to the Statue looking towards Harrington
Road. The illustrations for the respective panels have been developed from a pencil drawing to colorized views.
Other minor changes were also described.
Motion made by Dawn and Bebe seconded included a friendly amendment by Dawn following discussion and
was voted unanimously by role call vote:
To approve the packet as was presented today with the following changes: that the sepia style Dolittle Print be
replaced with a version that is more colorized if we can get that, that the Battle Green be colorized to include
more of the grass-like feeling, and that if appropriate, Bedford Street be colorized up to the triangle to the extent
we can, and to have of the Minute Men in the drawing reflect Prince Estabrook’s role in the Battle.
The appreciation of the Committee was expressed to both Michelle and the artist (Leslie – not present) for their
work given the challenges of design by committee.
2) Minutes
The Committee reviewed the several sets of minutes that had been outstanding and discussion minor edits and
typographical corrections that will be made for the final version with approval of the Committee Dawn thanked
Casey for getting them drafted. There are still a number of minutes that need to be prepared and Casey is working
on getting caught up on them.
Motion made by Dawn and Kerry seconded was voted unanimously by role call vote with Erin Rathe-Sandler
abstaining as she was not on the Committee at the time of the meetings:
That we accept the minutes of June 11, 2020; June 25, 2020; July 9, 2020; November 12, 2020; December 3,
2020; January 14, 2021; June 10, 2021, and July 8, 2021 with the ability to make typographical changes and to
adopt the changes that were reviewed at the Committee meeting.
Dawn informed the Committee that this morning she had attended the meeting that the Town annually has
regarding the Open Meeting Law which discusses the best practices for meetings and deliberations, etc. The chair
has a lot of discretion of how the meetings are run, scheduling, setting the agenda and posting, and ensuring
compliance with the Open Meeting Law. The public has a right to attend the meetings, but whether public
comment is taken is left to the discretion of the chair. She highlighted procedural items of which the members
needed to be aware. The slides will be sent to the Committee for their review and Dawn urged all to read them.
3) FY2022 Committee Goals
The Committee reviewed the draft goals and discussed whether we should make the goals calendar year or fiscal
year. The categories included marketing, advocating for resources to stimulate the visitors-based economy,
partnering with Economic Development staff, businesses, and organizations to facilitate submission of
Lexington’s application for a cultural district, and working to finalize outstanding projects. Kerry and Erin
mention the wonderful programming that other organizations are doing but emphasized the importance of
advocating for funding and sponsorship from the town. History shows that events bring people to Lexington. It is
important for the Town to be involved in that.
Margaret indicated that there would be a meeting tomorrow regarding the Cultural Districts Application to discuss
the resolution to go to the Select Board and the composition of the management team. Both of these need to be on
the Select Board agenda. According to Margaret the work is a little behind our original schedule but is ok.
Kerry inquired as to whether the short-term parking has been made permanent. It is still a pilot and Doug
indicated the importance of getting the signs up so a real trial can take place before a decision is made by the
Board to make it a permanent solution.
Motion made by Dawn and seconded by Bebe was voted unanimously by role call vote:
That we approve the goals as corrected for the calendar year 2022.
4) Economic Development Report
Both Sandhya and Casey had to leave the meeting prior to reaching this item. Doug gave a summary of the
approximately $1 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that was approved by the Select Board.
The Board voted on issues that are people and health focused rather than regular maintenance projects. There will
be a public process on some of the funding. The Town has already received $4+ million and expects a total of
$9.9 million in ARPA funds. Small business assistance in the amount of $250k and $50k for cultural and non-
profits was also included.
The four items that were discussed as priorities for tourism were: replenish Visitors Center and Liberty Ride
Revolving Funds for staffing; an amount available for the cultural district; events; and funding to purchase a
trolley. The Liberty Ride Trolley replacement is time sensitive. A one-year contract was signed last year, and here
we are coming up to another year with an April 1st deadline and no progress has been made on this issue. The
trolley has regularly been out of service. The Town is over a barrel with the contract. One of the frustrations is the
lack of understanding outside of Economic Development office of the importance of the Liberty Ride in
stimulating the economy. The internal process is geared towards staff needs. Fortunately, the Select Board made
clear that they wanted to do stimulating items. Doug suggested that there is still a lot of money left to allocate.
More data will be helpful for the Select Board decisions regarding the use of ARPA funds.
5) Marketing
Outdoor Calendars currently state Fall 2021 on them. We are missing an opportunity by not regularly updating
those boards. People stop to read those all the time. It is not a good reflection on the Town for them to be so out of
date. Will need to discuss with staff how they can be supported to keep those timely.
The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) has a new marketing newsletter “Spirit of MA.” Dawn
forwarded it by email to the Committee. Concord is well represented in it. There is nothing about Lexington.
Typically, activities can be posted at no charge. In general, a better job of keeping Lexington relevant needs to be
done. How to do this needs to be addressed with staff.
A new event called LexDoingGood was planned by the Community Endowment of Lexington last year and
postponed due to COVID. It is for 40 organizations that have received CEL grants to talk about their activities
and will be held at Cary Library on April 30th. LexMedia will be producing videos about each of the
organizations. They need a logo and a 150-word script. Perhaps working with Sandhya and Casey for a brief
script around the Cultural District and the 250th. The Tourism Committee will have a table there to and members
will be asked to help at the table.
6) Updates and Miscellaneous
The 250th Committee was waiting on some legal information before meeting next week.
Erin had a motion to offer. Dawn explained that it was inappropriate to present a motion on a topic that was not
on the agenda. Erin could contact Dawn regarding anything she wanted to add to a future agenda. Marsha had a
similar request which she would connect with Dawn about for a future meeting.
Upon motion duly made by Dawn and seconded by Kerry, the meeting was adjourned at approximately
5:57 pm. Unanimously passed by roll call vote.
Respectfully submitted Dawn E. McKenna
Approved: September 29, 2022