HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-28-2020-minTown of Lexington
20/20 Vision Committee Meeting
April 28, 2017
Parker Room, Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Avenue — 7:45am
Members Present: Peter Enrich, Fernando Quezada, Alan Wrigley, Kathleen Lenihan, Dan Krupka (by
phone), Joe Pato, Ginna Johnson, Margaret Coppe, Andrew Dixon
Members Absent: Bhumip Khasnabish, Peter Lee
Visitors: Marian Cohen, Koren Stembridge
Minutes: Claire Vanessa Goodwin
CaII to order: 7:55am
Minutes: The minutes from January, February, and March were all approved.
Working group on Issues of Social Diversity: Peter said that the survey was closed two weeks ago and
the project received 1,700 responses. Peter stated the working group hasn't met since finishing the
survey. Peter stated a month ago, the group was dealing with controversy from the Chinese American
community. A couple of days after the meeting of the committee of 2020 which convened the Town
Manger and Chair of the Selectmen and members from the Asian community. It was decided that the
problematic question (Question #49) be changed. Peter said the conclusion was to change the question
which produced two data sets and surveys which will require additional funds to compare.
Marian stated she would consider the respondents a representative sample. The average age of
respondents is average for the population, but the distribution of respondents is different: many older
respondents and younger, but not as many in the middle. The respondents also have higher levels of
education and income than is in the population. Marian says this is normal for surveys.
Marian said respondents are talking about open space, housing issues, schools, and taxes. Marian is
compiling the responses so people can see what is being said. Once the committee decides what to do
with the focus groups, the committee should reach out to those who volunteered for the focus groups.
Marian said keeping focus group size to 10 and under is ideal.
Marian stated she will have the data analyzed by the beginning of the summer (which is different than a
final report). Marian said overall, she had 2 Chinese and 11 Korean versions of the survey returned.
Ginna asked about the responses to the tradeoff questions. Marian said there were many people who
said that the tradeoffs were too hard. There was concern about over -crowding in the schools and
concern about housing that brings additional students.
Peter asked about validity of a survey like this. It came out in the middle of Town Meeting. Is the
perception that people were being activated by "hot button" issues being touted at Town Meeting.
Margaret said she attended a First Friday on asylum issues, and it was discussed that asylum seekers
likely would not be settled in Lexington because of the high cost of housing.
Peter said the working group should dig into the focus group issue at its next meeting. What would it
require of facilitators and facilitator skills if they pursued that path? Dan on the phone said in Cupertino
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they formed focus groups where in the beginning, the questions were wide open then over time they
teased out the main issues. The focus groups would be independent from each other, and ask each
focus group what is important to them. You need a facilitator and a recorder.
Ginna asked if the focus groups would be a good group to invite to volunteer on the comprehensive
plan. Marian said the folks who signed up, something in the survey struck a chord and are committed
and should be talked to. Alan said there is a limit on the number of facilitators able to conduct the focus
groups. Marian said it is ideal to have one facilitator for consistency. Marian said she will give Peter the
budget plan for the new financial request for their next meeting. Peter said they have conducted focus
groups before and they can be fruitful.
Plans for dissemination of results and related follow-up: Peter stated the meeting would be either next
Thursday or Friday. Fernando said when we tried to disseminate the survey, there were problems.
When we disseminate the findings, we need to think about how to communicate to the respective
stakeholders. Fernando said the committee had trouble getting things posted in the Minuteman.
Margaret said the Colonial Times would be a good resource — especially an executive summary of the
findings.
Peter asked when the findings should be disseminated - before the focus groups or after. Kathleen
asked if the group would be interested in presenting at the PTA presidents meeting. Peter said yes, that
is an important audience. Peter added the Chamber of Commerce would be a good audience too.
Fernando asked if at the upcoming subcommittee's meeting, if they could discuss who will present to
stakeholders. Koren said assuming the report is online, the group should refer back to it when
presenting. Koren said she would be happy to put a hardcopy in the Library. Peter said the League of
Women Voters meetings would be a good audience.
Fernando said the learning we had about question #49 should be discussed. Joe said the important
lesson is we can't think about any group as a monolithic group. CAAL and IAL are very different than a
few years ago, and it is easy to forget the evolution of the issues of important changes over time.
Diversity Think Tank: Dan said after speaking with Susie Lee Snell, he was concerned about the direction
of the Diversity Think Tank. Susie and Dan are drafting a charter to guide the Town Manager and School
Superintendent. People who are interested in the think tank, should submit an application on why they
are interested. Dan would like Carl and Mary to interview applicants directly. Dan said it was a project
intended to be owned by Carl and Mary and not the BOS or School Committee. Joe said the
conversation is being reconvened next week. Peter said the diversity think tank group would have been
a good group to tackle the problem of question #49.
Fernando said the next meeting, the CIO Tom Case was invited to attend.
Margaret stated she thinks the Library is doing a great job with signage in Chinese. Koren said there has
been push back by members of other non-English backgrounds who want their languages posted. The
Tourism Committee and Economic Development Department is looking into getting a brochure
advertised in Chinese to be provided at the Tourism Center.
Adjourn: 8:54am
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