HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-24-TOUR2-Antony-minApproved 1.27.2016
Minutes for Antony Working Group meeting of the
Lexington Tourism Committee on November 24th,
2015
Present at meeting: Kerry Brandin, Sandy Gasbarro, Tony Galaitsis, Kitty Galaitsis, Fred
Johnson, Dawn McKenna, Maureen Poole, Marie - Tristan Rago
Absent: Christina Gamota, George Gamota, Colin Godfrey
Friend: Bill Poole
Documents available for review:
1. Minutes of July 1, 2015
2. Lexington- Antony Sister City Treasurer's Report, 16 November 2015
3. Sympathy letter from Selectman Joe Pato to Antony officials
1I
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Thanks to Tony, the selectmen sent a nice letter to Antony. Individual members reached out to
their friends in Antony who are all fine. Our Facebook mentioned it and Kerry will send
something about the Selectmen's letter to the constant contact list. Dawn will send a
thanksgiving card to show the group support to Antony so they can display it at the Town Hall.
2. Voyages en
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Marc
Voyages en Francophonie will take place in Cary hall on March 12th 2016. We are limited
with space so there will only be 8 countries. 7 are confirmed, 3 others are interested but
volunteers don't know their schedule yet. We'll have workshops and small concerts instead of a
long one. 2 food trucks are allowed in the front of Cary building.
To bring foot traffic to Lexington, we would like to work in partnership with the Center Alliance,
Retailer Association and Chamber of Commerce for a "Francophone" window decoration event
March 1st -March 10th, judging of the best window will take place on March 11th and prizes
given to the 3 best windows at Cary Hall on March 12th.
Lexington will have a new Economic Development Coordinator starting on Dec. 14th who could
help in reaching out to the merchants. The Center Alliance already showed support for the idea.
The best time to contact businesses would be in January, March has nothing else organized for
businesses so it should help them. Non - profit organizations /schools would "adopt" the windows.
The painting is done outside so there is little involvement from businesses who would only be in
charge of cleaning afterwards. Alot of them already have francophone products that they could
showcase at the same time.
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We reviewed the financial statements. We were happy to notice a new donation.
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Dave Pinsonneault hasn't reviewed the original invoice versus what he charged.
DPW made a request for $60,000 through CPA funding to financially support the park. The
DPW will take responsibility for the park as a town project. They wanted to know how much
money we still have available to complete the project up to Phase 3. Approximately $7,000 is
available for the Park, with $6,000 still set aside for the sprinklers.
DPW got a bid for the wall of $23,000 and is still looking for estimates for the sprinkler system.
They are committed to complete the stone work by June 2016 even if they don't get funding
from Town Meeting.
The overrun costs are a direct result of the actions or inactions of various town staff members in
various department. The landscaping might also be more expensive as Season Four had
donated the plantings and provided the trees at cost which the DPW might not be able to do.
To support the park as many members as possible should attend the next Community
Preservation and other Town finance meetings.
Fundraising:
Until we have something to show, or know more about the status with DPW, we should not
actively fundraise for the park. Community dinners have been organized around town, so this
type of fundraising might not be as successful as they used to be.
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porters
It was decided to not do anything right now as we have nothing to share. We'll wait for next
meeting and re- assess.
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The minutes of July 1st, 2015 were reviewed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the July
1st, 2015 minutes were approved as amended.
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Next meeting will take place in January. In January, Kerry will send a letter (Constant Contact)
with the information about the meeting and events scheduled. Marie - Tristan to reach out to
onestoplex.com to have them combine the information from new tourism newsletter that lists all
the events taking place in Lexington every month.
Meeting adjourned at 8:42 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Marie - Tristan Rago