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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-07-MMC-min Monuments & Memorials Committee, Lexington, MA Minutes of Meeting March 7, 2024 By Zoom Teleconference Members Present: Linda Dixon, Chair; Avram Baskin, Glen Bassett, George Gamota, Leslie Masson. Members not present: Bebe Fallick, prospective members Liz Huttner and Nick Wong. Guests: Dave Pinsonneault, DPW; Karen Tyler, Veterans Services; James Pan, Parent Mentor; Bill Poole and Regina Sutton, volunteer workers Business Chair Linda opened the meeting at 4:03 and declared that a quorum was present. She introduced guests Bill Poole and Regina Sutton, who have volunteered to take on monument writing assignments. The minutes of the meeting of February 1, 2024 were approved on a roll call vote. Plan for Completing Work on the Database  James Pan displayed the database, in spreadsheet form, of all monuments identified so far. The Heroes Team has used the Chat GPT app to gather all available information on each monument, particularly the newer ones that lack any data. They coded Chat GPT to write text using third grade-level language.  Each committee member will receive up to five assigned monuments. Their job is to do some research and then produce finished text to accompany the photograph of each assigned monument. Linda and James cautioned that the Chat CPT text must be verified, as it is not guaranteed to be accurate.  We need to establish a maximum word count for the text submissions.  Karen Tyler offered to participate. As she has access to the DD214 forms of some of our World War II veterans, she can add valuable information to their profiles. She will work with George. Linda will send her the scrapbook of WWII fallen service members.  Linda and Nick will prepare assignments over the next couple of weeks. Creation of Maintenance Fund for future Monuments/Memorials.  Leslie and Linda met with DPW Director Dave Pinsonneault to discuss a universal maintenance fund for monuments. Dave is planning to bring on a consultant in FY26 to study our existing monuments and develop a maintenance and repair plan. He’ll make the capital budget request at Town Meeting in October ($25-50,000) and hopefully will secure Town Meeting funding approval in March of 2025. He’ll hire the consultant in July 2025. An ongoing maintenance account fund will be set up, from which Dave will periodically draw funds.  George felt that every proposed monument should be prepared to donate a certain amount to the Town Monument Fund, and all agreed. The Memorial Bench program works this way. A formula would need to be established for the donation amount for each proposal. Dave will ask the consultant for advice.  Regina Sutton asked whether our committee could raise funds for this purpose. Dave said no, but a group of citizens could. We would put any money raised into a gift account. Glen asked whether the generic Fund for Lexington might be used for an occasional monument repair. Dave will check this out with the Town Manager.  The Lexington Times reserves space for the DPW in each issue. Dave Pinsonneault suggested that he could offer this space to the M&M Committee to promote some relevant work. Lex250 update The four finalists for the Lex250 Monument will present their design concepts in a public meeting on Wednesday, March 13. The winning design will be announced a few weeks later. Status Reports Mass DAR Proposal for Lex250 Plaque: Mass DAR has received permission to install their plaque on the grounds of the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library. Since this is private property, DAR will not have to secure Select Board permission or meet with the Monuments and Memorials Committee. They will need approval from the Historic Districts Commission, as the plaque will be in an HDC district. IT Support during Judy Baldasaro’s absence: Linda wrote to Judy’s supervisor, Tim Goncalves, seeking any information about Judy’s return or temporary support during Judy’s absence. There is no information about Judy/s return date and there are no plans to provide temporary support. Tim suggested we ask Jonas Miller for assistance. Feedback on committee policy statement: This will need to be postponed to a future meeting, as there has been no response from Suzie Barry. Feedback on proposed committee logo: will cover at next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Next meeting: April 4, 2024. Respectfully submitted, Linda Dixon, Chair