HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-07-LEX250-min
Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250) June 7, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Pursuant to notice duly filed with the Town Clerk, the Semiquincentennial Commission
(Lex250) convened a hybrid meeting in person in the Select Board meeting room and via Zoom
video conference on Wednesday, June 7 at 4:30 pm by Ms. Barry as allowed by legislation
(S.2475) extending the suspension of certain provisions of the Massachusetts Open Meeting
Law.
Present:
Suzie Barry, Select Board Member, Chair
Jillian Tung, Music & Arts Representative, Clerk
Julie O’Leary, Civic Representative
Steve Conners, Reenactment Community Representative
Noah Michaelson, Community Representative
Barry Cunha, Business Representative
Mona Roy, Community Representative, Vice Chair
Bebe Fallick, Tourism Committee Representative
Via Zoom:
Cerise Jalelian, Town Celebrations Committee Representative
Jane Hundley LPS 6-8 Social Science Coordinator
Paul O’Shaughnessy Historical Organization Representative
John Rossi, Commission on Disability Liaison
Richard Canale
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 P.M. by Ms. Barry
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The meeting minutes for May 10, 17 and 31 were approved unanimously without discussion
Updates:
1. The committee was informed that the ARPA request for $500,000 to the Select Board
was approved. The money will be managed by the Town managers office to be used
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partly for public safety, and other expenses related to the 250 celebration
a. Ms Roy emphasized the need to establish a realistic budget as we proceed with
expected expenses
b. Ms. Fallick questioned whether we would need town approval for committee
approved projects such as the penny machine proposed for the Visitors Center
c. Ms. Barry said currently we still have some money left from previous grants and
when we would need to determine which “pocket” of funds we would use for
incurred expenses
2. Various suggestions for a tag line to be placed on the valence panels of the Rev 250 event
tent were discussed with no final decision made. We will review these and pick one after
further review.
a. Dr. Tung suggested using one of the longer tag lines “ A Glorious morning, a
promising future for a kick off event or on our literature
b. The blue tent with white interior was approved
3. The Concord debrief from our joint meeting with representatives from Arlington,
Lincoln, Concord, Lexington. NPS, and fire, DPW ,Hanscom AFB, and Police from all
the towns was discussed
a. The meeting was held in the Concord Library on Thursday, June 1
b. Every committee member gave a brief summary of what was discussed at their table.
The main topic that came up was how to coordinate the logistics of all the events on
Saturday April 19, 2025. Each town will need to make some changes to address the
logistical and transportation challenges with the time constraints inherent in the
schedule
c. A suggestion was made to Mr. Conners if he could talk to the NPS personnel in
charge to see if they would be willing to adjust their schedule for Battle Road to an
earlier time. This might allay some of the problems with movement and participation
of the reenactors in the parades with what is now an impossibility how the draft of the
schedule stands now.
d. The committee was informed that Arlington and Lincoln see their roles as more
trending towards logistic and transportation support. These towns are still in the
beginning phase of planning, although Arlington did approve $25,000 towards Rev
250
e. Every town expressed doubt that any federal or more state money may not be
forthcoming, and fundraising would be needed by each town to procure the remaining
funds needed.
f. Dr. Cunha suggested that major donors be approached as a multi town ask, not just
for one town. Major donors may be more apt to give to a larger more encompassing
venture. The suggestion of setting up one financial entity where funds from all the
towns would be placed was discussed.
g. Coordination and joint cooperation from all the interested parties in all matters was
widely discussed and enthusiastically embraced. To that end the Fire, DPW, and
Police all agreed to set up a combined Command Center to better coordinate the
activities of Patriots day weekend.
h. A joint shuttle system was discussed to ease the anticipated traffic problems
i. Concord has approved food trucks noting the need for more food sources for that
weekend. They also are engaging in a multi media marketing program with their
paper, and hopefully articles in publications such as Yankee magazine.
j. Concord suggested a need for Event coordination with perhaps each town be
responsible with specific roles within that plan. They also suggested certain key
people be trained in emergency response training, and media training.
4. The next combined meeting of everyone is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 14 in
Lexington, Cary Hall.
5. A discussion as to whether we need to have a rehearsal in 2024 in preparation od Rev
250 in order to work out any problems ahead of 2025 was discussed. A poll of
committee members was taken and by a vote of eight to two with one abstention it was
decided that we would not hold a rehearsal and proceed as we have in the past.
6. Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 14 at 4:30, hybrid format
7. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30, passed unanimously by roll call vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Barry Cunha