HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-08-LHRC-minTown of Lexington Human Rights Committee
Meeting Minutes for Wednesday,Nov 8,2023
Conducted in remotely on Zoom
Call to Order 8:53 am
LHRC MEMBERS PRESENT
Christina Lin,Chair (CL);Stephanie Hsu,Vice-Chair (SH);;Lieutenant Colleen Dunbar -Town of
Lexington Police (CD);Melissa Interess -Town of Lexington,Human Services (MI)
Absent:Amber Iqbal (AI);Larry Freeman -Lexington Public School District (LF)
The minutes recorded by Stephanie Hsu,LHRC Vice-Chair
1.Minutes -September 2023 Minutes -CD motion to approve,SH second -passed 5-0.
October minutes will wait until we have full quorum.
2.Housing and Planning Board Updates -Abigail (Abby)McCabe (AM),Planning Director
presented -Articles 33 &34 which were passed during Spring 2023 Town Meeting led to
the updating of the online application process.The Planning Board would like to send
applications to the LHRC for input around equity recommendations with a planned 4-6
week turnaround.Abby will meet with the LHRC to give an overview for us to provide
comments at the first hearing.The Affordable Housing trust meeting voted to contribute
funds to LexHab for the 497 Mass Ave project which will create a 2 family home.The
Town is working with consultants on a housing feasibility study and are looking lots at 173
Bedford St.to see if mixed purpose units could be built.A video presentation is available
and they will be wrapping up study soon.They are trying for a grant to fund another
housing assessment in 2024.LHRC members requested a link to the application for us to
review,and for further support in the process when an application comes through.
3.Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration in Lexington 2024 -Pastor Brent Maracle and
Stephanie Stonefish Ryan asked for the LHRC support in planning an Indigenous Peoples
Day Celebration for October 14,2024.Lexington has not recognized Indigenous Peoples
Day in the past,so this is a positive step forward.
a.Will be a social gathering vs.a Pow Wow -a social gathering allows for building
relationships,educating and connecting.
b.Lexington has an opportunity to do this correctly and create a collaborative effort
with surrounding communities.
c.Co-Sponsor Lexington Indigenous Peoples Day 2024 -CL motion to approve;MR
second -Approved 5-0
4.Updates
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE •LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420
a.Lexington Lyceum -Sabine Clark gave her appreciation for the LHRC
co-sponsorship of their program on Civil Discourse.They had their highest turnout
to date and the survey response was 50%response rate,with 4.5 out 5 satisfaction
rating,and 92%of attendees interested in this topic.Members shared some
concern about the demographics of attendees and how we can do more outreach to
cultural and affinity groups to encourage attendance.
b.Collaborative Reform Group (CRG)held their first program,Breaking down Stigma
around Mental Health,Neurodiversity and Less Visible Disabilities on November 1,
2023.More than 50 people attended in person,with another 50-60 tuning in
through LexMedia/Zoom.Link to the program can be found on LexMedia under
the title Human Rights Committee 11/1/2023.
c.MLK Day Conversation on Race -planning is well underway and we will be calling
on all o the team to help out the day of the event.
5.Housekeeping business for next time
a.Julie Fenn –looking for co-sponsorship of Parent Academy –March 24
b.Diwali celebration this weekend
c.October was Hindu Heritage month
d.Transgender Remembrance Day –November 20
e.November –Indigenous Peoples Month –there is work happening to create
banners
6.Unexpected Items Not Reasonably Anticipated in Advance
a.Mona Roy and Sal Jarmillio are stepping down from the LHRC.They have been
valuable members of our committee and they will be sorely missed.SJ is moving
out of Lexington and on to higher education,but we are fortunate that MR will
continue to reside in Lexington and provide sage advice to all of us.
7.Public Comments for Items Not on the Agenda
8.Meeting Adjourned at 10:20 am
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE •LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420