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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-24-TOUR2-minTown of Lexington Tourism Committee Draft Minutes February 24, 2025 Hybrid Parker Room, Town Office Building and by Zoom 3:30 pm PRESENT: Marsha Baker, Margaret Coppe (Chair), Gardy Desrouleaux(AI), Ting Fang*, Pam Fowler, Marie -Tristan Rago, Elsie Xu* *Joined half way through) Absent: Suzie Barry Select Board, Bebe Fallick, Melissa Robbins Staff Present: Sandhya Iyer, Jay Abdella Guests: Melissa Stratton, Pandina Gabriela Sepulveda, Artists for East Lexington Mural Project Margaret called the meeting to order at 3:34 pm. She read the authorization for remote meetings. A quorum was present. Vote to call meeting to order: Marsha Baker, Aye; Margaret Coppe, Pam Fowler, Aye; Marie -Tristan Rago, Aye. The vote was unanimous Spring Initiatives/Plans A Stitch in Time An interactive Mural Experience Melissa Stratton Pandina Gabriela Sepulveda Melissa Stratton and Pandima Gabriela Selepulda presented their proposal for the East Lexington Mural Wall project. The community paint party will be April 26 (rain date May 3) and will last 2 hours. Location of three murals: 135 Mass Ave, 131 Mass Ave, 55 Mass Ave. No Historic District involvement. The project was initiated by the Economic Development department with ARPA funding. The project needs approval from the Select Board and would like a letter of support from the Tourism Committee. 11 Discussion from the committee included clarifying historical elements from Marsha Baker, questions about the presence of children in the murals, and questions about the ethnic depictions. The next project will be an art installation in the rear of the Depot, on the bikeway (Sandhya is going to the HDC to present on March 56), followed by way finding signs (digital, similar to the one in East Lexington) in Lexington center. Both will be installed in the fall. Economic Development Report Sandhya Iyer • People counter Jan 2025, 1, 320 • Visitor's Center Jan 2025, $2,742 • Battle Green Tours Jan 2025, $1,612.50 (387.50 private, $1,225 private charter) • Liberty Ride Trolley • January website report: Sperling Display ads are strategically placed; more ads in late fall, fewer in winter • Spring initiative/Plans Greater Merrimack CVB produced video on Lexington/Concord winter visit Sandhya headed FAM Tours (Familiarization tours for travel industry) Minutes Marie Tristan-Rago moved, and Marsha Baker seconded, approval of the January 27, 2025 minutes. Marsha Baker, Aye; Margaret Coppe, Aye; Gardy Desrouleaux, Pam Fowler, Aye; Marie -Tristan Rago, Aye. The vote was unanimous. Goals There was a clarification on volunteers for April 19, 2025 for the Visitor Center. Tourism Committee does not need to find 40 volunteers, but was asked for committee members to help out during the day. Sandhya will set up a sign up form for Tourism Committee members to help out during the day. Pa A second goal to establish a set of processes that enable better communication that improve the visitor experience was acknowledged. More work and discussion needed. Countdown Calendar March 12, 2025 Lexington 250th Bebe Fallick reported • Ken Burns in Lexington April 17, 2025 Cary Hall, 100 tickets will be available for Lexington citizens, starting March 1 • The Visitor Center has stocked souvenir umbrellas and ponchos • Shuttles will move between towns, Route 2A will be closed on April 19. • Lexington is working on shuttles from Hartwell Ave to the center. More information to come. • March 12 Witness House banners distributed to participating homeowners. • Bunting has been ordered for town buildings, not sure how private businesses are being involved. • Monument?? Updates and Miscellaneous Center Committee: No response from Committee for liaison Lexington Historical Society: • January 2025, Buckman Tavern only open on weekends, 89 visitors • Annual Volunteer Appreciation dinner: 50 attendees Security training and regular season opening training scheduled • Recent events sold out: Candlelight tour, Joel, Bohy, Tavern night • Lexington Historical Society will soon be known as the Lexington History Museums (DBA). A new look is being rolled out beginning March 1 to better reflect Lexington's diverse history through time. • Museum hours will be Wednesdays -Mondays, 10 AM to 4 PM All historical houses and museum will be closed on Tuesdays. • Beginning in the summer/fall rentals on a reduced scale, outside of museum hours, will be accepted. • Buckman Tavern has been open on Saturdays and Sundays this winter. • There was a 17.6% increase in 2024 in House ticket sales. 3 • Books are the biggest sales item in the Buckman Tavern. Website and emails: None Cultural District: Grant Applications will open later this week. Adjournment 5:05 PM Marsha Baker moved and Marie Tristan-Rago seconded adjournment. Marsha Baker, Aye; Margaret Coppe, Aye; sling Fang, Aye; Pam Fowler, Aye; Marie -Tristan Rago, Aye; Elsie Xu, Aye The vote was unanimous. Next Meeting: Monday March 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM, Hybrid Respectfully submitted: Margaret Coppe February 27, 2025 L!