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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-10-LEX250-minSemiquincentennial Commission (Lex250) May 10,2023 Meeting Minutes Pursuant to notice duly filed with the Town Clerk,the Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250)convened in a hybrid meeting in person in the Parker Room of the Town Office Building and via Zoom video conference on Wednesday,May 10 at 4:32 pm by Ms.Barry as allowed by legislation (S.2475)extending the suspension of certain provisions of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law. Present in person: Suzie Barry,Select Board Member,Chair Steve Conners,Reenactment Community Representative Barry Cunha,Business Representative Cerise Jalelian,Town Celebrations Committee Representative Bebe Fallick,Tourism Committee Representative Noah Michelson,Community Representative Mona Roy,Community Representative,Vice Chair Attending Remotely: Julie O’Leary,Civic Representative Jillian Tung,Music &Arts Representative,Clerk Paul O’Shaughnessy,Historical Organization Representative John Rossi,Commission on Disability Liaison Guest:Mina Makarious,Town Counsel Guest:C.Alexander Chiulli from Savage Law Partners,Trademark Counsel ●The meeting was called to order at 4:32 PM by Ms.Barry ●Town Counsel and Trademark Counsel gave an update on the Commission’s trademark filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and answered questions related to the topic ○There are two pending federal intent to use trademark applications to register the two winning designs from last fall’s logo contest.The copyright applications filed alongside the trademark applications are also still pending ■Trademark Counsel noted that due to an increased number of applications and the effect of the COVID pandemic the response time of the USPTO has slowed.Trademark Counsel is hoping to see a response within the next 30 days. ■Trademark Counsel noted that priority date extends retroactively to the date of filing ○Discussion on the rights and protections granted by a registered trademark and enforcement options. ■A registered trademark confers the right to exclude others from using the mark in connection with listed or related goods and services listed in the registration.The standard for trademark infringement is likelihood of confusion,and would compare the registered mark as a whole against a potential infringeer ’s mark as a whole. ■Trademark Counsel noted some steps that can be taken in cases of trademark infringement including:a cease &desist letter, settlement,and in some cases litigation. ○Ms.Barry raised the question of whether any current situations regarding trademark were best discussed in open meeting,executive session,or privately with counsel. ■After discussion,it was decided that Ms.Barry,Ms.Tung,Ms.Roy, and Mr.Conners would meet with both Town Counsel and Trademark Counsel to decide further steps. ●Approval of the minutes from the April 26th meeting was postponed to next meeting due to the draft minutes being distributed just prior to this meeting. ●Noah Michelson was welcomed to the Commission as a Community Representative. ●Updates ○The next meeting of the Commission is May 17,2023 at 4:30 in the Parker Room.The primary topic is a discussion including Town Staff regarding Patriots’Day Weekend 2025 with the goal of creating a preliminary schedule. ■Dr.Cunha raised concerns about solidifying the schedule due to conflicts with Concord’s schedule to the weekend and the availability of reenactment groups and dignitaries. ○There will be a collaborative meeting between Lexington,Concord,and Lincoln on Thursday June 1,2023 from 6:30-8:30 in the Goodwin Forum at the Concord Library. ○Tuesday May 9 was the meeting of the commonwealth’s 250th American Revolution Anniversary Commission.Lexington got a shoutout from Sarah Stanton,Undersecretary of Economic Strategies at the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. ○The $250,000 that was approved by the Legislature is currently in a trust fund at Mass Office of Travel &Tourism ○State budget updates:The original $1m bill filed by Rep.Ciccolo and Rep. Cataldo of Concord does not have a funding source,he $2m that was in Supplemental Budget #2 has not been taken up and the $250,000 originally in the House budget has been lowered to $150,000 in Consolidated G of the House Recommended budget.Rep.Ciccolo’s amendment to put $2m into the House Budget was declined. ○The Town still has American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA)money left unspent.The Commission would be looking to ask for $500,000 to be appropriated to the 250th Celebration,falling into the Select Board’s focus area of Economic development. ○Staff and committee representatives from Arlington,Lexington,Lincoln, and Concord are working on engaging in an inter-municipal agreement to create a request for proposals.The RFP would seek bids from event companies on the scope of work to deal with marketing and event planning,so that consistent messaging applies across the four towns. ■The agreement would define where the contracted firm would get its direction from. ■The estimate for the total cost is $200,0000,with the suggestion that the cost be divided evenly among the four towns. ■The goal is to have the IMA signed and a contractor in place by September 1. ●Monument Updates ○Ms.Fallick has connected the town with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC),who have agreed to help with taking the next steps with the monument.An estimated $20,000 is needed for this,and the Town Manager has suggested the money come from $200,000 directed to the Town by Senator Mike Barrett. ○A vote for recommendation on engagement with MAPC on the 250th monument planning,funding,and funding source will be placed on the next week’s agenda. ●Working Group Updates ○The suggestion boxes have been placed at various town buildings.Further discussion will focus on other places in the community to house boxes, and whether new boxes will be purchased or existing ones will be rotated around. ○Mr.O’Shaughnessy has spoken with Heather Hartshorn at the Lexington Chamber of Commerce,and while the Chamber is still finalizing their concert schedule they would love to have the Commission pop a tent there. ■Mr.Michelson will assist Ms.Tung in investigating tent options. ○Ms.Barry has spoken with Doug Lucente about the Commission having a tent presence at the Lions’annual carnival.The Commission will need to speak with the carnival company for final permission. ○Ms.Barry has spoken with the commanding officer at Hanscom Air Force Base about their participation in the 250th festivities and requesting the Thunderbirds.Ms.Barry &Dr.Cunha will be visiting the Base next week. ●Encampment ○Ms.Barry raised the possibility of hiring a group to run an encampment during Patriots’Day Weekend 2025 as a venue for guests to interact with reenactors. ■Tower Park,Munroe Tavern,Hastings Park,and Emery Park were raised as potential venues. ■Questions were raised as to whether there were groups available for hire. ■The possibility of some members of reenactment groups already participating in the weekend running it was raised.Further availability numbers would be needed. ●Adjourn ○A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 6:15 PM and passed unanimously by roll call vote. Respectfully submitted, Noah Michelson