HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-02-VISION2025-minTown of Lexington
Vision for Lexington Committee Meeting
June 2, 2023
Remote Meeting
7:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Members Present: Margaret Coppe, John Giudice, Marian Cohen, Weisong Wang, Daniel Joyner, Robert
Peters, Andrew Dixon, Samita Mandelia, Bhumip Khasnabish, Mark Sandeen
Guests: Ambilu Sivabalan, Steven Wartman, Carol Marine
Staff Present: James Robinson
Absent: Min Zhou, Shannon Murtagh, Mark Manasas, Kathleen Lenihan
The meeting was called to order: 7:50 a.m.
The Remote Meeting Script was read by Margaret Coppe.
Minutes:
Minutes from 4/28/2023 were approved unanimously.
Action Items:
Recommend potential member to the Select Board for appointment (Daniel Joyner, Mark
Sandeen)
Meeting Highlights:
VFL Website Report on Emails
Daniel Joyner shared that an inquiry was received from a new Lexington resident that was looking to
learn more about the Town and its local government.
Daniel Joyner also provided an update on the Communications Audit from the Communications Director
and will continue to be in contact as the project progresses.
Membership Review
Margaret Coppe introduced the three guests present in the meeting that are interested in joining the
VFL Committee: Steve Wartman, Ambilu Sivabalan, and Carol Marine. They shared introductions.
Margaret Coppe asked Mark Sandeen and Daniel Joyner to review the committee applications and to
make a recommendation to the Select Board.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
Margaret Coppe asked if the School’s DEI Director would be available to join the VFL Committee for a
meeting to discuss their role and provide updates on their operations.
Update on Subcommittee on Voter Participation in Lexington
Marian Cohen provided an update on behalf of the subcommittee, reflecting on voter turnout,
registration outreach, civic education, and the role of the Civic Academy. The subcommittee will be
drafting a report to submit to the Select Board.
Robert Peters shared that Presidential Primary Election years may feature increased levels of turnout
and resources regarding that tendency would be of-use to the subcommittee. Marian Cohen confirmed.
Daniel Joyner and Marian Cohen shared that the subcommittee is discussing ranked-choice voting.
Weidong Wang asked if there could be a potential, condensed, Civic Academy that could be offered in
addition to the original programming.
Ambilu Sivabalan suggested that the Civic Academy may be helpful with student outreach.
Daniel Joyner, an alum of the Civic Academy, reflected that it was a valuable experience to meet with
the senior managers during the programming.
Presentation of Survey Subcommittee Charter and Vote
John Giudice and Daniel Joyner shared the charge of the prospective subcommittee and noted that the
subcommittee will be tasked with coordinating with Town Departments and Organizations regarding
actionable items of the survey results. John Giudice, Daniel Joyner, Min Zhou, and Marian Cohen are the
current prospective members, with the group looking for a final addition.
Weidong Wang sought clarity on potential deliverable and how to measure success.
John Giudice responded that the subcommittee would be taking the survey results and formulating
actionable items for those referenced in the survey, will regularly provide updates to the VFL Committee
for feedback, and seek input for the improvement of future surveys.
John Giudice mentioned that the year-long term length will influence whether the subcommittee needs
more time to work through the survey results.
Weidong Wang suggested working primarily with the three elected boards and the Town Manager.
Robert Peters highlighted that there are distinctions between boards and management, and that the
boards will benefit from the subcommittee in their policymaking role.
Samita Mandelia asked if the general public will receive the information. John Giudice confirmed that
the meeting records will be public, and that the subcommittee will determine the strategy for
presenting results. Marian Cohen highlighted that the survey results are currently posted on the Town
Webpage.
Carol Marine asked if physical copies of results would be made available. John Giudice noted that the
subcommittee would look into physical copies.
The Subcommittee Charge was approved unanimously with revisions to include the School Committee
and Housing Authority as groups to work with. The charge confirms that the Subcommittee will meet on
Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. every two weeks.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Next Meeting: June 30, 2023 @ 7:45am
Adjourn: 8:43am