HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-27-VISION2025-min Town of Lexington
Vision for Lexington Committee Meeting
June 27,2025
Remote Meeting
7:45 a.m.—9:00 a.m.
Minutes
Members Present: Marian Cohen, Margaret Coppe,Andrew Dixon,John Giudice, Bhumip Khasnabish,
Tom Lin, Carol Marine, Michael Schanbacher(Planning Board), Catherine Yan, Min Zhou
Absent: Sara del Nido Budish, Daniel Joyner, Larry Freeman (School Committee), Shannon Murtagh
Meeting was called to order: 7:47 AM
Members present for the Subcommittee on Voter Participation: Margaret Coppe, Marian Cohen, Eileen
Zalisk,Jeri Zeder
The remote meeting script was read by Margaret Coppe.
Roll Call Vote: Cohen,Aye; Coppe,Aye; Dixon,Aye; Giudice,Aye; Khasnabish,Aye; Lin,Aye; Marine,Aye;
Schanbacher(Planning Board),Aye;Yan,Aye;Zhou, Aye;
Minutes:
• The approval of minutes from May 30, 2025, was moved by John and seconded by Carol.
• Roll Call Vote: Cohen,Aye; Coppe,Aye; Dixon,Aye; Giudice,Aye; Khasnabish,Aye; Lin,Aye;
Marine,Aye; Schanbacher(Planning Board),Aye;Yan, Aye;Zhou,Aye.The vote was unanimous.
Meeting Highlights
Select Board Policies &Warrant Timeline
The Select Board policy on conduct and decorum was sent to all committees by the respective board
chairs. Margaret Coppe confirmed that everyone received the policy.There were no questions on this
item.
The Town sent out the Warrant Article Timeline. Margaret Coppe notified the committee that if anyone
plans to submit a warrant article,this is the timeline they will follow.
VFL Website and report on emails
The committee has received general notifications from the Town. There are no other updates on the
email.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity
The Town has not hired for this role.The job posting closes on Monday.The Town is assembling an
interview team.
Draft Report Subcommittee on Participation in Local Elections
The subcommittee on local elections presented its draft report, which was previously sent for
committee members to review.The Town Clerk's Office already provided feedback on the report.Jeri
Zeder reviewed the notes from the Clerk's office with the committee. Concerns raised over the financial
implications of the suggested improvements. It was noted that the role of the subcommittee is to
provide the report, and cost considerations will be made by the Select Board and Town Meeting
process.
The groups also discussed the voter participation rate in Lexington.The committee highlighted that
ranked-choice voting was approved by Town Meeting in 2023, but requires a Home Rule petition from
the State Legislature. It was suggested that a long-term task force may be the answer to increasing voter
turnout.The committee discussed the format of the survey and the best way to communicate the
subcommittees most critical recommendations.
The discussion concluded with a review of the competitive elections portion of the draft report—
specifically,the high commitment and financial costs of running for office.
Town Wide Survey
Three committee members, Sara del Nido Budish,Tom Lin, and Min Zhou, have volunteered to support
with the survey. Michael Schanbacher is supporting as the Planning Board member. Marian Cohen
stressed the importance of having a Select Board and School Committee representatives as part of this
process. Margaret Coppe will be brought up to the respective representatives.
Public comment
No public comment
Subcommittee on Voter Participation: Motion to adjourn from Jeri Zeder. Seconded by Marian Cohen.
The subcommittee voted 4-0 by roll to adjourn.
Motion to adjourn: Motion from Carol Marine. Michael Schanbacher seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Cohen,Aye; Coppe,Aye; Dixon,Aye; Giudice,Aye; Khasnabish,Aye; Marine,Aye;
Schanbacher(Planning Board),Aye;Yan,Aye;Zhou, Aye;
Adjourn: 9:00 AM
Next meeting:July 25, 2025, 7:45 AM
Remote by Zoom