HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-27-TCC-min Town Celebrations Committee
Minutes of Meeting
March 27, 2024
By Zoom Teleconference
Members Present:
Glen Bassett and Geetha Padaki, Co-Chairs; Linda Dixon, Yifang Gong, Dave Grabel, Cerise
Jalelian, Bonnie Karshbaum, Sondra Lucente, Sandy Podgorski, Ashley Rooney, Sue Stering
Members not Present
Sudha Balasuryan, Steve Cole, Kevin Collins, Dabby Harter, Mary Hutton, Lorain Marquis, Julie
Miller, Pam Winters, Hong Xie
Business
• Meeting called to order by Geetha Padaki at 7:02 pm
• The Minutes of March 6 were approved with minor corrections
• The Minutes of March 20 were approved with minor corrections
Patriots' Day Detailed Planning
• Photographers: Bonnie submitted a community service request to LHS for
photographers. Looks promising.
• Registration desk: Dave says DPW must provide tables and chairs by 11:30 a.m. He
will provide a popup tent. Sandy suggests we add a request for a table and chairs at the
East Lexington fire station for Parade Ambassadors to register, and another table and
chairs at the Town Pool for the banner returns.
• Youth Parade: confirmed participants include Cub Scout Troop 137; Girl Scouts;
Hanscom Air Force Base, and a student Civil War enthusiast(Bonnie will invite him to
wear his uniform/regalia). Sandy will check with Jonas to extend online registrations
for Youth Parade from April 1 to April 10.
• Ceremony: Linda shared the draft Order of Ceremonies for the Patriots'Day Ceremony.
• Parade Lineup: The Highland Pipe Band has withdrawn. Dave and Sondra
recommended approval of several new units:
Immaculate Heart of Mary School Band (application previously overlooked)
Harrington School Bicycle Group, didn't want to march in morning parade
LexSeeHer, were marching with Girl Scouts, Dave suggested applying on their
own was more appropriate
Dave said that, with the loss of the Highland Pipe Band and addition of these
three groups, we will save $1,000.
These groups were approved by the Committee.
• Cars: Peter Kelley has 3 available.
• Staking the parade marching order signs: a scheduling problem will prevent the
Minute Men from staking the parade signs on Friday of Patriots'Day weekend. Need
volunteers. Last year, Steve picked up the stakes at DPW on Wednesday. On Friday, he
and 3 Minute Men installed them along the parade route. DPW removed the stakes after
the parade.
• Golf cart drivers: We need to identify golf cart drivers
• Port-a-potties: Need to identify location of port-a-potties. Need 2 at Registration Desk
for sure. Glen will email Steve the plan.
• Signs: Sudha says signs are all set. When sponsorships are firmed up, she will finalize
the sponsor banners.
• Parade Ambassadors: Yifang reported that 20 Ambassadors have signed up.
• Sponsorships: In Lorain's absence, Linda reported that sponsorship donations have met
and exceeded last year's total of$20,000 and a few more returns are expected.
• Advance Requests for Marching Order: We are refusing requests from units to provide
their marching order number in advance for two reasons: 1) the order may change; and 2)
we want to be sure that all units personally register on parade day.
Memorial Day Planning
• Geetha and Linda will meet later this week to review overall plans
Lex250
• Cerise reported that Town Meeting is discussing security issues involved with inviting
the British Royal Family to the Patriots' Day 2025 celebration
• Lex250 will host the official kickoff ceremony on April 19, 2024, T minus one year.
VIP's will be present,the official 365-day clock will be activated, and each day, a
different group will have a photo opportunity to tear off a page from the calendar/clock.
The meeting was adjourned 8:32 p.m.
Meeting schedule for April: full meetings April 3 and 10. No meeting on the 17th, full
meeting on the 24th.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Dixon, Member