HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-09-TOUR2-min Town of Lexington
Tourism Committee
Draft Minutes of the Meeting of
July 9, 2024
Zoom
3:30 pm
PRESENT: Marsha Baker, Margaret Coppe (Chair), Fred Johnson, Suzie Barry,
Gardy Desrouleaux, Marie-Tristan Rago, Pam Fowler
Absent: Bebe Fallick, Melissa Robbins, Elsie Xu
Staff: Sandhya Iyer, Jay Abdella
Margaret called the meeting to order at 3:35pm. She read the authorization for
remote meetings.
A quorum was present.
Vote to call meeting to order: Marsha Baker, Aye; Gardy Desrouleaux, Aye; Marie-
Tristan Rago, Aye; Pam Fowler, Aye; Margaret Coppe, Aye
Economic Development Report Sandhya Iyer.
• People counter May and June: 9,700 and 12,700; many more charters and
tourist buses
• Visitor's Center Sales for May and June were healthy, 250th merchandise
nearly sold out. Marketing with Concord on WCVB Channel 5.
• Battle Green Tours May and June 2024: $35,000
• Liberty Ride Trolley May and June 2024: $16, 000
• Fall Initiatives/Plans: RFI for study on Economic Impact of Tourism in
Lexington (lexingtonma.gov/bids.aspc?bidlD=107)
Minutes:
Marsha Baker moved, and Pam Fowler seconded, approval of the April 30, 2024
minutes.
Marsha Baker, Aye; Gardy Desrouleaux, Aye; Marie-Tristan Rago, Aye; Pam
Fowler, Aye; Margaret Coppe, Aye
The vote was unanimous.
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Goals
Discussion arrived at consensus that a small group should put together a proposal
and bring it to the next meeting. Items discussed were recruiting for future
projects, tourism impact on Lexington, collaborating with other organizations,
engaging local businesses, especially food services.
Pam, Marie, Fred, and Marsha will work on proposal and bring it to the August
meeting.
Suzie Barry joined meeting as new Select Board liaison.
Lex 250 Report
Suzie reported from the 250th Committee:
• Dignitary invitees voted at Select Board meeting
• HDC approved placement of horse statues (5)
• Captain Parker Birthday celebration on July 13, 2024
• Lafayette Visit September 2, 2024
• Living History with Lexington Historical Society September 28, 2024
• Countdown Calendar: Margaret will get date and send out to committee
Bus Parking
Parking kiosk in Depot parking lot still needs to be removed.
Liberty Ride
Select Board has issued a RFI/RFP to extend the contract to 2026.
Two quotes from current trolley operator, Joseph's:
1. Similar to current contract, 4 days a week, 3 trips a day
April 2025—March 2026
2. 7 days a week, 3 trips a day
April 2025—March 2026
Tickets are $40/person. Go Boston which sells 90% of the tickets reimburses $28.
Buying a new trolley will run between$270-450 thousand. DPW has tentatively
suggested housing an in-house trolley at the Hartwell site.
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Olde Burying Ground
Interactive map of graves with print out ability. Gardy added that his restaurant
has many international visitors and many of them inquire about a guide to the
historical cemetery.
Historical Society is working on it.
Vision for Lexington
Spoke to the committee at their last meeting, March 29 meeting. Open to
consider more specific questions relating to tourism.
Updates and Miscellaneous
Center Committee: parking plan for Muzzey lot in the works; parklet opened on
Mass Ave in front of Avenue Deli
Lexington Historical Society: The Depot will be closed October-March for
renovations, fundraising campaign continues, school tour season was good
Website and email:
Other Issues:
Lexington Ben Soule has built a replica of the original meeting house, once
located on the Green, that measures approximately 4' x 6 . He would like to
donate it to the Town. A place needs to be determined. He would prefer that it be
near the Green and inside. Will look into placing it into the large room in the
Visitors Center while looking for a permanent place.
Adjournment
5:20 PM
Marsha made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Marie seconded the motion.
Marsha Baker, Aye; Marie-Tristan Rago, Aye; Pam Fowler, Aye; Margaret Coppe,
Aye
The vote was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted:
Margaret Coppe
712/2024
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