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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-25-TOUR2-min Town of Lexington Tourism Committee Minutes November 25, 2024 Hybrid Parker Room, Town Office Building and by Zoom 3:30 pm PRESENT: Marsha Baker, Margaret Coppe (Chair), Bebe Fallick, Ting Fang, Pam Fowler, Marie-Tristan Rago, Melissa Robbins Elsie Xu Absent: Suzie Barry Select Board, Gardy Desrouleaux, Staff Present: Sandhya Iyer, Jay Abdella Guests: Miriam Gusevich, 250 monument artist Barry Cunha, 250 monument chair Margaret called the meeting to order at 3:31 pm. She read the authorization for remote meetings. A quorum was present. Vote to call meeting to order: Marsha Baker, Aye; Margaret Coppe, Aye; Bebe Fallick, Aye; Ting Fang, Aye; Pam Fowler, Aye; Marie-Tristan Rago, Aye; Melissa Robbins, Aye; Elsie Xu, Aye. The vote was unanimous Lex 250 Report The Tourism Committee has been asked by Linda Dixon, Chair Monuments and Memorials Committee to vote on the proposed 250 Monument. The Disability Committee voted unanimously to support. The Historic District Commission approved on a split vote. Miriam Gusevich went over her vision of the proposed monument, explaining that is an allegorical representation of the events of April 19, 1775. Questions from the committee: Grade of site; will need to be regraded. Landscaping; will be done by town. Lafayette marker; will remain in place (but may need to be temporarily moved during construction). Path to Belfrey: will remain but will not be made handicap accessible (viewing area is on Clarke Street). Trees; will be untouched although 1 scrub and brush will be removed. Brick inlay in plaza; will represent the thirteen red and white stripes in the flag. Groundbeaking now scheduled for April 19, 2025 with installation in summer 2025. Color samples of materials were requested. Melissa moved and Marie seconded approval of the proposed plan. Vote: Baker, No; Coppe, Aye; Fallick, Aye; Fang, Aye; Fowler, Aye; Rago, Aye;Robbins, Aye; Xu, Aye. The motion passed 7-1.f Economic Development Report Sandhya Iyer • People counter October 2024 up 12% over 2023 • Visitor's Center Sales up 5% • Battle Green Tours on-line up 40% • Liberty Ride Trolley 15% 2024 over 2023; July —October up 16% • October website analytics from Sperling: consistent with September report A full year report will be scheduled in February 2025. • No merchandise sold on line, all in house in Visitor Center, no soaps in VC due to concern about allergens, odors; most popular items are hats, both tricorn and baseball, teddy bears, sweatshirts, and books • Fall Initiatives/Plans Will be featured in Celtics yearbook Taste of Lexington, Dec 5, 20% off in VC all months Minutes: Bebe Fallick moved, and Pam Fowler seconded, approval of the October 28, 2024 minutes. Marsha Baker, Aye; Margaret Coppe, Aye; Bebe Fallick, Aye; Ting Fang, Aye; Pam Fowler, Aye; Marie-Tristan Rago, Aye; Melissa Robbins, Aye; Elsie Xu, Aye. The vote was unanimous. Goals: Postponed until December Countdown Calendar March 12, 2025 2 Meeting House Model Ben Soule reported that he is working with First Parish for a site for the model prior to the 250th celebration. Will need to find new location after that. Lex Lux Illumination Night Event Saturday, January 11, 2025 Late afternoon/evening Updates and Miscellaneous Center Committee: No response from Committee for liaison Maija Sawyer is new head of Chamber of Commerce Lexington Historical Society: Ghost and Graves event sold out. Lexington Tea Burning December 14 with Minute Man drills, Buckman Tavern open from 12-3. Depot closed for renovations, mural for exterior has been approved. Website and emails: None Cultural District: Will meet on December 5 to vote on state grant. Adjournment 5:11 PM Marsha moved and Pam Fowler seconded adjournment. Marsha Baker, Aye; Margaret Coppe, Aye;; Bebe Fallick, Aye; Ting Fang, Aye; Pam Fowler, Aye; Marie-Tristan Rago, Aye; Melissa Robbins, Aye; Elsie Xu, Aye The vote was unanimous. Next Meeting: Monday December 30, 2024 at 3:30 PM, Hybrid Respectfully submitted: Margaret Coppe 12/01/2024 3