HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-22-LHRC-min
Town of Lexington Human Rights Committee
Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, January 22, 2025
LHRC MEMBERS PRESENT
Christina Lin, Chair (CL); Stephanie Hsu, Vice-Chair (SH); Stephanie Ryan (SR); Rachel Levy (RL); Judy
Zola (JZ); Dana Bickelman- Town of Lexington, Human Services (DB); Colleen Dunbar, Lexington Police
Department (CD)
Liaisons - Mark Sandeen (MS), Johnny Cole, Lexington Public Schools (JC); Shaun Grady, Commission on
Disability (SG)
The minutes recorded by Christina Lin
1. Welcome/Call to order –9:02am
2. Minutes Approval –
a. October 22, 2024 - motion to approve SR, second RL, 6-0-1 abstain
b. December 11,2024 - motion to approve with edits RL, second SR, 6-0-1 abstain
i. Spelling edit, section 2, Civil Rights Trip update - The organization should be
spelled Etgar
3. MLK Day - Debrief and actionables for 2026 -
a. https://www.youtube.com/live/zAG7wa_bl9c?si=ArsmUNlORu3zV2z0
b. There will be a presentation by members of the planning team on our programming
in the February meeting. General feedback are:
i. Pleased with the Town’s effort to clear the roads
ii. Loretta Ross, the keynote speaker, received excellent feedback.
iii. The Choir starting our event is a nice positioning of the agenda
iv. Lots of positive and encouraging feedback from members o the community
v. The program provided a sense of community
vi. Quality of the various components were excellent, Activator fair was engaging.
People were interested and signing up to help.
vii. Activator Fair allowed meaningful connections and participation.
viii. Conversation leading up to the Day of Service for acknowledging the
open prayer was inclusive and welcoming of all faiths.
c. Recommendations
i. Tighten program transitions to avoid confusion.
ii. Provide clear agendas and timelines for attendees.
iii. Address accessibility, such as better audio and ASL interpreters or
transcription on larger screen of speaker.
iv. Include reminders for attendees to bring reusable water bottles.
d. Another shout out to the ABCL concert on Sunday.
4. Upcoming LHRC programs
a. Community Conversation on Race (March) - some volunteers have signed up.
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
i. Rachel to follow up with email to community w/link to MLK program and also
to
b. Spring Roundtables (2-3 LHRC members, JZ, + 3 community members)
5. MBTA Zoning - citizen’s petition - The Chair proposed having a draft statement on
the zoning bylaw by Feb 12th meeting based on information from the presentation by the
Affordable Housing Trust at the previous meeting. Members shared that this issue is complicated
and emotionally charged and suggested caution in writing a statement. The committee should be
careful in any statement to focus on a human rights perspective. We should go back to past
meetings to understand what is happening. Concerns raised about the rapid rate of development
versus town infrastructure readiness.
● Emphasis on approaching the topic thoughtfully and addressing both sides’
concerns.
● Members were encouraged to review previous planning board meetings and zoning
articles for context.
● Possibly address vulnerability to misinformation.
6. Chief Equity Office position - committee discussion on the existing job
description
a. Feel this position should not sit vacant and be filled. We need to make sure we
don’t stop efforts to work towards DEI. Swiftly move forward. Others overall agree.
b. A little more clarity on the qualifications. Seemed a bit broad and would prefer a
little more specificity. The CEO needs to be a part of the leadership team.
Everything the CEO is expected to do needs staff.
Some of the physical description was worded in a way that is offensive and will
eliminate potential candidates.
c. The position addresses a community facing and internal facing role.
d. The Tangible Development report was an important piece of it. Some members of
the community felt there wasn’t enough Community Engagement.
e. We should address whether the CEO should be internal or external facing.
f. Support an additional staff member under CEO to help with the external facing role.
g. Why do job descriptions have physical descriptions?
7. Zoom settings for LHRC Meeting - the Chair asked that future meetings use a Zoom
meeting setting to allow for AI supported meeting minutes. This would be a departure from a
webinar format. Committee members agreed the switch in format would be worthwhile given the
support for AI generated meeting minutes.
8. Unexpected Items Not Reasonably Anticipated in Advance
a. Interest in organizing a civil rights trip inspired by previous trips (SH & RL)
9. Public Comments for Items Not on the Agenda
a. SG - ASL interpreter. May have student volunteers for ASL interpreters. Can we
offer 1 credit for college ASL service
b. Meeting adjourned at 10:18am
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420