HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08-16-LEX250-min
Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250)
August 16, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Pursuant to notice duly filed with the Town Clerk, the Semiquincentennial Commission
(Lex250) convened in a hybrid meeting in the Parker Room at the Town Office Building and via
Zoom video conference on Wednesday, August 16 at 8:03 am 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
Jillian Tung, Music & Arts Representative, Clerk
Noah Michelson, Community Representative
Jane Hundley, LPS 6-8 Social Science Coordinator
Barry Cunha, Business Representative
Mona Roy, Community Representative, Vice Chair
Julie O’Leary, Civic Representative
Present remotely:
Bebe Fallick, Tourism Committee Representative
John Rossi, Commission on Disability Liaison
Bebe Fallick, Tourism Committee Representative
Paul O’Shaughnessy, Historical Organization Representative
Absent: Steve Conners, Reenactment Community Representative
● The meeting was called to order at 8:03 am by Ms. Barry.
● The minutes of the 6.28.2023 meeting were approved unanimously.
● New members update
○ The Select Board is currently evaluating applications for 4 new Lex 250
Commission seats.
● Pop up tent update
○ Mr. Michelson created a spreadsheet to organize booth volunteers.
○ Our goal is to set up the booth at the Farmers Market which takes place on
Tuesdays.
○ Mr. Michelson can help set up the tent and indicated that we still need a portable
table. He indicated that lanyards are ready. The updated flier still needs to be
printed. The tent is being stored on Marrett Road.
○ Dr. Tung indicated that we have enough Lex 250 buttons and stickers for general
distribution.
○ We will also plan to have a volunteer sign up and a suggestion box.
○ Ms. Roy will pick up a folding table at BJs.
● Road Show updates
○ Ms. Roy is planning to connect with the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Lions
Club, and K of C .
● Merchandising update
○ Mr. Michelson indicated that lanyards are ready to go and he is looking into
window stickers, bookmarks, enamel pins, different types of buttons, and T-shirts
for volunteers.
● Update on permanent memorial
○ Abbey Judd, Ananth Udupa from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council
(MAPC) shared information about their background and provided an update on
the permanent memorial.
○ MAPC serves 101 municipalities greater Boston and provides technical assistance
to towns regarding land use and cultural planning.
○ Update on monument planning
■ Will put out call for artists to respond nationally
■ Stakeholder group meeting: August 29 (virtual)
■ Opportunities for participation in project advisory group, selection process
■ Proposed location is Belfry Park
■ October: hope to finalize vision and call
■ Goal to release call for artists November
■ Timeline will also be shared during August 29 meeting
■ Dr. Cunha emphasized that representation for selection should include
those grounded in historical knowledge
■ Ms. Roy emphasized need for transparency in process
● 2024 updates
○ Dr. Tung provided an update on the kick off festival.
○ The Lexington Bicentennial Band will present a joint concert with the Concord
Band during the summer of 2024. Date is still to be determined; we are aiming for
mid to late July.
○ The concert will be followed by a community festival. We are looking into hiring
an event planner.
○ Dr. Tung will discuss the feasibility of celebrating a one-year countdown at the
LBBB concert in April 2024 with Jeff Leonard.
● The next regional meeting with Concord, Arlington, and Lincoln will be on Thursday,
September 14.
● The proposal to expand the reenactment was discussed by the group.
○ Do a dry run in 2024, start incorporating it,
○ Dr. Cunha indicated that the ladies association of Lexington contacted the
Minutemen about the importance of recognizing the roles and heroism of women
and children on that day.
○ Historically, they were known to be drilling on the Common prior to the arrival of
Redcoats.
○ A proposed expansion of the reenactment would include the role played by
women.
● Future meetings will be hybrid:
○ Wednesday, August 30, 2023, 4:30 pm
○ Beginning in September the second & fourth Wednesday at 4:30 pm
○ Wednesday, September 13, 2023, 4:30 pm Hybrid
○ Wednesday, September 27, 2023, 4:30 pm Hybrid
● A motion made to adjourn the meeting at 9:27 was made by Dr. Cunha, seconded by Mr.
O’Shaughnessy, and accepted unanimously by roll call vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Jillian Tung