HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-12-13-LEX250-minFunding RequestsSemiquincentennial Commission (Lexington 250) - Agenda
Parker Room (Lower Level) in Town Office Building, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington
and on Zoom
Pursuant to the notice duly filed with the Town Clerk, the Semiquincentennial Commission
(Lex250) was convened in a hybrid meeting on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 4:30-6:00 pm
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
Mona Roy, Community Representative, Vice Chair
Barry Cunha, Business Representative
Tom Colatosti, Community Representative
Bebe Fallick, Tourism Committee Representative
Jane Hundley, Lexington Public Schools Representative
Doug Lucente, Select Board Member
Noah Michelson, Community Representative
Ashley Rooney, Community Representative
John Guilfoil-John Guilfoil Public Relations, LLC
Present Remotely
Cleve Coats, Community Representative
Steve Conners, Reenactment Community Representative
Cerise Jalelian, Town Celebrations Committee Representative
Paul O’Shaughnessy, Historical Organization Representative
John Rossi, Commission on Disability Liaison
Jillian Tung, Music & Arts Representative, Clerk
The meeting was called to order at 4:31 p.m. by Ms. Barry
○ Meeting norms were reviewed
Updates & Discussion- 4:35 pm
● Public Relations and Crisis Communication Presentation- Mr.Guilfoil
○ LEX250 Celebration Communications Services- Proposal submitted for the
Commission's consideration
○ JGPR proposes a full public relations and crisis communications campaign for the
Town of Lexington’s Lex250 celebration activities
■ Content Creation & Media Relations
■ Crisis Communications
■ Team of Experienced and Professionally Trained PIOs
■ Planning of all anticipated and unanticipated operations
■ 90 days to get a website up and running upon signing a contract
■ Will work with us on a communication strategy that fits our goals
■ Existenting relationships with local news outlet
■ Sets up press conferences and all of the logistics
Funding RequestsSemiquincentennial Commission (Lexington 250) - Agenda
Parker Room (Lower Level) in Town Office Building, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington
and on Zoom
● Commission members’ questions of Mr. Guilfoil
○ Ms. Barry-How do we prevent overlap/confusion with the messaging of other
towns and departments?- Mr.Guilfoil- Integration with local fire chiefs and police,
ran COVID clinics and has trained with FEMA
○ Mr. Lucente: How does the “incident command center” work over multiple events
over a multi-month period? Mr.Guilfoil: We are part event planner, fixer, crisis
management, and strategy provider. There will be a steady stream of
communications with all events
○ Mr. Lucente: Who would be the point person? Mr.Guilfoil: The Lex250
commission chairperson
○ Ms. Hundley: Will all four communities who are part of the IMA join in the
contract? Mr.Guilfoil: Only if those communities sign a contract with the
company individually
○ Dr. Tung:Expressed need for support with calendars, selling tickets, etc
○ Mr. Lucente: How does social media work? Mr.Guilfoil: They will become
administrators on all platforms so that they may post items
○ Mr. Connors: It would be great to have all of the IMA communities sign contracts
with the same public relations firm
○ Ms. Rooney: How are you going to work with everyone here? Mr.Guilfoil: Will
work with folks to produce content and others to approve it. Will work with the
folks on the town side too. It might be good to explore a media partner
○ Dr. Tung: Emphasized the need for a Lexington central website Mr.Guilfoil:
Agreed and stressed his relationships with other towns and connections. He also
stressed the importance of updating all media
○ Debrief of JGR presentation-Committee members expressed opinions and
discussion
○ The Commission voted unanimously for procurement of PR, Incident Command,
and Communication proposals
Ms. Barry: Reminded Commission members about Friday, December 15, 2023-
America250 Event in Boston
January 2024 Community Meeting
○ Date-January 31, 2024
○ Time- 7pm
○ Location-TBD
○ Invitation-Send out ASAP
December 250th Collaborative Meeting Debrief
○ IMA Update
○ Town of Acton-Has formed a committee
Funding RequestsSemiquincentennial Commission (Lexington 250) - Agenda
Parker Room (Lower Level) in Town Office Building, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington
and on Zoom
Funding Update
○ Annual Town Meeting 2024 Warrant Article- Mr. Lucente and Ms. Barry are
working on this for the Commission to consider
○ Merchandise Funding Request-Mr. Michelson-restocking of merchandise-
$2,133.84 (see his memo) Vote: Unanimous YES
Future Meeting Date
● December 20, 2023
Adjourn 6:00 pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Jane Hundley
Funding RequestsSemiquincentennial Commission (Lexington 250) - Agenda
Parker Room (Lower Level) in Town Office Building, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington
and on Zoom