HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-17-LEX250-minSemiquincentennial Commission (Lex250)
August 17,2022 Meeting Minutes
Pursuant to notice duly filed with the Town Clerk,the Semiquincentennial Commission
(Lex250)convened in a meeting via Zoom video conference on Wednesday,August 17,2022 at
3:37 pm as allowed by legislation (S.2475)extending the suspension of certain provisions of the
Massachusetts Open Meeting Law.
Present:Steve Conners (Reenactment Community),Cerise Jalelian (Town Celebrations
Committee Representative),Mona Roy (Community Representative),Jillian Tung (Music &Arts
Representative),Steve Cole (Community Representative),Bebe Fallick (Tourism Committee
Representative),Barry Cunha (Business Representative),Suzie Barry (Select Board Member),
Julie O’Leary (Civic Representative),Paul O’Shaughnessy (Historical Organization
Representative)
1.The meeting was called to order at 3:39 pm by Ms.Barry.
2.Website update
a.Mr.Conners provided a summary of the introductory meeting that was held with
Shields 2 weeks ago.
b.Commission representatives and Shields leadership engaged in a productive
dialogue regarding our vision.Shields will follow up with ideas that incorporate
the Commission’s goals.
3.Outreach
a.Community kick-off meeting:Wednesday October 12 at 10 am and 7 pm.
b.Both meetings will be in the Cary Library living room.
c.Ms.Barry shared the updated invitation list,which includes cultural groups,
schools,parent-teacher organizations,elected officials,town committees,media,
civic groups,sports and other community organizations.Group members
suggested possible additions to the list and discussed the importance of being as
inclusive as possible.
d.The group discussed approaches to outreach.Invitations will be distributed to
participants from the Commission’s email addresses,and individual members
could follow up with groups.
4.Volunteer form
a.A draft of the volunteer form was reviewed and group members offered
comments and suggested edits.
b.Volunteers may be needed from September 2024 until September 2026.
c.Patriots Day dates should be specified.
d.Change email address to simplified form
e.Ask for name and email address;phone number would be optional.
f.Other possible questions:
i.“What draws you to want to participate?”Or “What excites you about
participating in Lex 250 events?”
ii.“Tell us about your interests/areas of expertise”
iii.Form should include a list of working groups with checkboxes.
5.Discovery Day and other outreach possibilities
a.Rescheduled to Saturday,October 8,which falls during a long weekend.
b.At the next meeting,the group will discuss the feasibility of our participation.
c.Doug Lucente asked if the Commission would do road shows with different
groups
6.Calendar
a.At the next meeting,the group needs to decide on dates to present to Select
Board
b.The group discussed options for the timing of Patriots Day weekend events:
i.Paul Revere’s ride:because of logistics and safety,we could move the
event from 11 pm to 9 pm.
ii.Need to discuss options with LICA (Lexington Interfaith Council).
iii.Saturday would be the focus for the reenactment events.The reenactment
would begin at 5:30 am and finish at around 6:30 am.The march from
Lexington to Lincoln would then take place.Events will take place
throughout the day in Lexington and in Concord and will likely be
expanded compared to previous years.
iv.On Monday,the day would start with the morning parade,followed by
ceremonies on the Green,DAR events,and afternoon parade.
v.The group weighed pros and cons of different timing scenarios and
communication strategies with stakeholder groups.
vi.The group reached a consensus that a separate stakeholders’meeting in
September would be beneficial.
7.Mr.Cole raised the possibility for a naming opportunity for John Brown,a fallen
Minuteman for whom a building has not yet been named.Ms.Barry offered an overview
regarding procedures for naming.
8.Funding update
a.We were not able to receive ARPA funding.
b.We will need to bring an article to Town Meeting November 1st,2nd,3rd for
funding.
c.We will need approval from the SB to bring an article to Town Meeting and will
discuss further at our next meeting.
9.Ms.Barry reminded us that we still have an open seat on the Commission for a school
community representative and we should recruit a member this fall.
10.Mr.Cole discovered a website that was created by a third party using the domain
lexington.com.Ms.Barry discussed this website with the Town Manager and Town
Counsel,and they have been in contact with the party.
11.A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr.Cole,seconded by Ms.Roy,and
approved by roll call vote at 5:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jillian Tung