HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-18-TOUR2-min
Town of Lexington
Tourism Committee
Dawn McKenna, Chair info@tourlexington.us
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
Tourism Committee Minutes
Thursday, November 18, 2021
3:30 pm
Conducted Remotely
Members Present: Marsha Baker, Sarah Boulos, Kerry Brandin, Bebe Fallick, Dawn McKenna, Wim Nijenberg
Members Absent: Jason Connell, Margaret Coppe, Elsie Xu
Also Present: Fred Johnson (Center Committee Liaison), Sandhya Iyer (Economic Development Director), Casey
Hagerty (Economic Development Coordinator), Erin Sandler-Rathe (Executive Director, Lexington Historical
Society), Carol Ward (Executive Director, Lexington Historical Society), Meredith Bergmann (Sculptor) and
other representatives of the LexSeeHer project
1) Tourism Committee Appointments
On Monday (11/15) the Select Board appointed Jason Connell and Elsie Xu to the Tourism Committee. Both
were invited to attend this meeting but were unable to on short notice. While the committee looks forward to
both serving, a discussion ensued about the process that did not consider expertise gaps on the Committee.
The Select Board did not appoint either of the two people recommended by the Tourism Committee.
Traditionally, The Committee reiterated that as part of our charge to “work with community groups to ensure
a cohesive tourism experience,” having the leadership from both the Lexington Historical Society and the
Chamber of Commerce on the Committee should be a priority.
2) LexSeeHer
Meredith Bergman, the sculptor for the proposed LexSeeHer monument, presented a detailed look at the
project and the proposed design. Other members were present from the LexSeeHer group and spoke in favor
of the project. Meredith discussed how the project had evolved and that it would be a screen that connected
women from different eras visually and from a storytelling standpoint. As part of the materials the Committee
was provided with slides from the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail in support for the proposed location of the
LexSeeHer Memorial dated November 28,2021. Slides showed photographs of the Boston Women’s
Memorial created by Meredith along Commonwealth which was dedicated on October 2003. Photographs
also showed subsequent anniversary celebrations and ways in which the work involved with the monuments
has been used to support tourism with plays, guides, etc. Statistics presented showed that a majority of US
and world travelers are female.
The proposed size of the figures are at least life size, up to 6’8” tall. The rectangle would be as10’ by 16’ and
12’ high. It is to be set on a circular pad with a 24’ diameter. The proponents suggested that the site is planned
to meet the current sidewalks. As the Tourism Committee discussed that, it was noted that the location of the
walkways in front of the Visitors Center will be determined in a future phase of the Battle Green Master Plan
(BGMP). Various Committee members discussed whether or not this type of structure was in conflict with the
open sightlines between the Visitors Center and the Battle Green as described in the BGMP. Committee
members liked the storyline. Dawn McKenna suggested that the placing the monument at the Stone Building
near Pleasant Street could be compatible with telling Lexington’s history of women leaders, especially since
the building is named after Ellen Stone. In this location, the monument would be at one of the gateways to the
Town and anchor the other end of Mass Ave. as part of the proposed Cultural District. Ultimately, this is a
private group looking to make a donation to the Town. It is up to the Select Board whether to accept that
donation and if so, where it can be built, Dawn added.
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This coming weekend, there will be a Sculpture Rehearsal which will be a working session for Meredith.
Town Boards and Committees will be able a full-size rendering that will provide a sense of the mass and
scale, in the groups preferred location. Meredith will show how her work moves from 2-dimentional sketches
to 3-dimensional mockup. Committee members asked questions. The Committee will need time to absorb the
information presented and Dawn suggested that the Tourism Committee attend the rehearsal if possible.
Further discussion and a vote on the Committee’s recommendation will be held at a subsequent meeting.
3) Economic Development Coordinator Report
Casey Hagerty reported that 11,000 people visited in October generating $33k in sales. Events are beginning
to be held in person again, one of which is the Taste of Lexington planned for December 2nd. The tree
lighting will also take place in Depot Park. Casey listed the new businesses that have opened in Lexington or
plan to open soon.
Sandhya Iyer described the federal funding that Lexington will receive. Lexington’s share of American
Rescue Plan (ARPA) fund is $9+ million over two years. Staff continues to recommend to the Select Board
projects for use of those funds. One suggestion being recommended is a participatory budgeting process.
Sandhya described how that might work. Dawn reported that at the November 1st meeting of the Select Board,
she stated the Tourism Committee thoughts on use of funds. Tourism is an investment that pays off
economically, Dawn told the Select Board and one of the prime purposes of ARPA is for economic
development. The Committee appreciates the support expressed by the Town Manager and Senior
Management Team for recommending funds to rebuild the website. Dawn informed the Board that other
tourism focused uses either have not been discussed or not supported by staff: Replacing the 15 year old
Liberty Ride trolley (possibly electric) which would help control the fixed costs; financial support for the
Liberty Ride and Visitors Center Revolving Funds as these operations were dramatically hurt during the
pandemic and resulted in furloughs and shutting down winter operations from which funding has not
recovered; funds for town sponsored events in the proposed Cultural District and events in general; seed
money for the ultimate use of the Stone Building; broadly supporting staff; and towards the 2025 celebration.
Dawn also indicated that the proposals along the Bikeway made sense as the Visitors Center was designed to
take economic advantage of the bikeway and as a connection to East Lexington for the Cultural District.
The Committee agreed to schedule a joint meeting with the Center Committee to discuss common goals for
ARPA spending to be presented to the Board.
Following an email from Dawn this week detailing the 15 sets of minutes dating back to February 2020 that
remained outstanding and the number of requests to have them completed over the last 18 months, Sandhya
indicated that Casey would be working on bringing the minutes up to date.
4) Tourism Goals and Implementation
Phase II of the Battle Green Master Plan is moving along. It is expected that bids will be opened soon and the
project would begin after Patriots’ Day and run into late summer, early fall. Michelle Jarvis is working with
the artist selected to provide image and content for the interpretive rails for the Battle Green and the Belfry
Hill accessible viewing area are being prepared for the December 16th meeting.
Following confirmation that the Commission on Disability supported the benches proposed for the
area, the Select Board unanimously voted at their November 15, 2021, to approve the Tourism
Committee's request. Along Mass. Ave. there will be 6-8’ black metal Victor Stanley benches with
backs on the Battle Green. The backless benches along Bedford Street will be similar, however will
be ordered from a different company. The Victor Stanley the base of the backless version has a
“knocked kneed” look which is different from the version with backs. As approved, the 6’ Belson
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model PB6 classic backless black backless bench better matches the Victor Stanley design. Two
wooden benches with backs were also approved for the Belfry Hill accessible viewing area.
5) New program idea – Ashley Rooney
Ashley Rooney is working with Cristina Burwell from Munroe Center for the Arts to encourage organizations
and people to work together to hold a week-long themed event May 23-29 called “Fairy Homes and Gardens:
Lexington.” There is worldwide interest in building these small, whimsical outdoor dwellings and placing
them at various locations for people to enjoy. They believe this is a way to strength community while creating
ties to one another. It would be a large-scale community event that would culminate in a viewing like Open
Studios. They are hoping that Fairy House could be placed near the Visitors Center as well as at other
locations throughout town. The week would coincide with Discovery Day, and the Michelsons are supportive
of the proposal. The Committee felt this was a creative idea. The Motion made and seconded, passed
unanimously by roll call vote:
That the Tourism Committee supports the Fairy Homes Project and the week-long themed event for May 23-
29 as described, and further that in consultation with Katie Johnson, placing fairy home(s) in the Visitors
Center landscaping is appropriate.
6) FY2022 Committee Goals
An updated draft of FY2022 Committee goals was provided for consideration. Members were asked to review
them for discussion at the next meeting.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:10 pm
Unanimously passed by roll call vote.
Respectfully submitted Dawn E. McKenna
Approved: November 21, 2022