HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-21-LEX250-min
Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250) June 21, 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 21, 2023 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
Steve Conners, Reenactment Community Representative
Barry Cunha, Business Representative
Bebe Fallick, Tourism Committee Representative
Jane Hundley LPS 6-8 Social Science Coordinator
Cerise Jalelian, Town Celebrations Committee Representative
Noah Michaelson, Community Representative
Mona Roy, Community Representative, Vice Chair
Jillian Tung, Music & Arts Representative, Clerk
Via Zoom:
John Rossi, Commission on Disability Liaison
Steve Cole, guest
Absent:
Paul O’Shaughnessy Historical Organization Representative
Julie O’Leary, Civic Representative
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 P.M. by Ms. Barry
· Approve Minutes - A motion to approve the minutes of the June 14, 2023
meeting was made by Ms. Barry and seconded by Dr. Cunha and unanimously
approved without discussion by roll call vote
· Working Group Updates Community
o Group discussion on possible marquee events
o Kickoff Festival, Patriots Day, and Public Closing Event
o Group discussion on possibility of ball or gala, when would that fit in,
who would take the lead, do we have the bandwidth in terms of time,
manpower and money, would it be a distraction, is there public appetite,
th
venue indoor or outdoor, 300 had planned for a ball and then canceled it.
General consensus of group that it would be a distraction. Dr. Cunha noted
that Lexington Historical Society has a yearly gala and he would reach out
Carol Ward to see if in 2024 or 2025, they would be interested in
cobranding.
o Group discussion on engaging arts community. Ms. Hundley mentioned
engaging LPS. Dr. Tung spoke of connecting with Alethea Roy of LPS,
with Munroe Center and Lex Art and Ms. Hundley noted that LPS wanted
to discuss internally and then decide how LPS wants to do community
outreach. Ms. Fallick noted that she spoke with an artist __??__ Tovah
from ??_____. Dr. Tung noted interest in focusing on Lexington artists and
confirmed to Ms. Fallick that she would be meeting with Matthew Siegal in
due course.
o Publicity working group submitted written report and noted concern on
lack of RFP for professional website as described at Town meeting
o Ms. Barry noted that Town manager put the website on pause as it may
be part of the previously discussed intermunicipal agreement which may or
may not address joint website, joint calendar, crisis management,
transportation and perhaps event manager so that we are using the same
language to bring people in
· Use of ARPA Funding
o Group discussion on Penny machine
§ original quote was about $7-$10K
§ Machine would only take cash
§ Would want a machine where one can change out the die and/or
offer multiple designs
§ Ms. Barry will get in touch with Sandhya Iyer (Economic
Development) and get an updated quote
o Group discussion on other items for possible purchase
§ Possibility of selling old time candy w
o Group discussion on Give Aways and Merchandising
§ Dr. Tung noted that 1000 buttons and stickers cost $600 in 2022–
not sure what they cost now
§ Group Consensus Agreement that items mostly fall into 3 buckets:
give aways, purchasable, big ticket or limited edition and that Ms.
Barry would connect Mr. Michaelson with Melissa Batitte Lexington
Recreation to see whom they use and would circle back with pricing
for the various items
· Give aways – buttons ($.50 if we buy in bulk), stickers
magnets, lanyard ($1.09 if we get 500); pens, pencils, pins
· Purchasable merchandise (perhaps at Visitor center or
local vendors) with standard markups,
o discussion on other different kinds of pins (Small
pins, lapel pins, enamel pins)
o Discussion of offering Bound Booklet with schedule
with entire year, multiple people noted that event
details might change, or a keepsake calendar
o Discussion of offering QR code for updated
schedule, Ms. Barry will look into the rules
surrounding sponsorship of booklet
o Ms. Roy note that perhaps a student volunteer could
build an app for real-time schedule updates also noted
TM
we should use raised TM mark () with our logos
until registered
o 4-6 piece set with donation (maybe more Disney pin
style vs button)
o Posters
· Collectibles
o Art from Art exhibit
o Limited edition pin
o 250 coins – bronze
o Scavenger hunt challenge coins or event specific
buttons or pins
o Gift with donation tiers
· Publications for 3 public scale events
· Road Show Update
o Discussion on timing – may book them for the fall unless sooner is better
for them
o Discussion on content – should be a thumbnail sketch using Dr. Tung’s
templates
o Initial group reachout
§ Rotary Club (Ms. Roy)
§ Lions Club (Ms. Jelalian)
§ The Knights of Columbus (Ms. Barry)
§ Chamber of Commerce and Lexington Retailers Association (Mr.
Michaelson)
o Discussion on whether some outreach should be coordinated across 4
communities (Lexington, Arlington, Concord, Lincoln)
o Discussion on bringing in cultural groups to a specific of
sharing/exchange/collaborative of ideas. Mr. Michaelson noted that he was
on SEAT and could highlight Lex250 and requested Ms. Barry to send the
language
o Also LICA can be invited to a future meeting
o Publicity asked about vetting process for partnership with Lex250,
§ events on calendar
§ not limited to free events
§ Group decided that partners need to be defined
§ Ms. Roy noted possible starting point to look at human rights
committee website for event sponsorship form and
(https://www.lexingtonma.gov/FormCenter/Human-Rights-
Committee-47/Event-Sponsorship-Request-Form-132) ; Ms.
Hundley and others offered to draft a proposed form
· Pop Up Tent Dates
o Will begin in August
o Need to get flyers printed and give aways ordered by then
· Future meeting dates
o Next meeting next week June 28 remote only, to discuss merchandise
approval
o Summer meeting dates (7/26/23 and 8/16/23 at 8 am – remote only)
· Motion to Adjourn made at 5:59 by Ms. Barry, Seconded by Dr. Cunha, all in
favor
Respectfully submitted,
Monami D. Roy