HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-11-LEX250-min Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250)
September 11, 2025 Meeting Minutes
Pursuant to notice duly filed with the Town Clerk, the Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250)
convened in a hybrid format in the Select Board Meeting Room at the Town Office Building and
via Zoom video conference on Thursday September 11, 2025 at 4:30 PM by Ms. Roy as allowed
by legislation (S.2475) extending the suspension of certain provisions of the Massachusetts
Open Meeting Law.
Present in person:
Mona Roy, Community Representative, Chair
Bridger McGaw, Community Representative, Vice Chair
Cerise Jalelian, Town Celebrations Committee Representative
Melanie Lin, Community Representative
Doug Lucente, Select Board Member
Julie O'Leary, Civic Representative
Present remotely:
Noah Michelson, Community Representative, Clerk
Cleve Coats, Community Representative
Steve Conners, Reenactment Community Representative
Jane Hundley, LPS Representative
Jillian Tung, Music &Arts Representative
• The meeting was called to order at 4:30 by M.Roy
• Minutes
o B. McGaw moved to approve the minutes from the meetings of June 11 and
August 6, 2025. The motion was seconded.
■ The motion was passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
• Patriots' Day 2026
o The Select Board has asked for the Commission's opinion on whether to hold
Patriots' Day weekend events on Saturday or Monday in 2026.
o Saturday is preferred by the public safety departments for access to state and
regional resources that otherwise go towards the Boston Marathon on Monday.
o A poll of the Lexington Minutemen found they would entertain doing the events
on Saturday in 2026, despite the logistical challenges it brings to the reenactment
community, but they would not support a long term change to Saturday. LMM
would also like to see some of the ceremonial events done on Saturday in 2025
return back to Monday for 2026 in order to recognize the holiday. There is some
discussion of the Minute Man National Historical Park events happening on
Sunday in 2026, but that has yet to be decided.
o The Town Celebrations Committee supports Saturday in 2026, with a restoration
to the pre-250th schedule for future years.
o Financial constraints may not facilitate the holding of Saturday events and
invitation of a larger crowd. Additionally, having events on two days (Saturday
and Monday) could strain resources. Financial analysis of the difference in cost
between a Saturday and Monday event slate is still ongoing, both in increased
costs to the Town and to stakeholders.
o The Board of the Lions Club of Lexington voted to support Monday events for
logistical reasons
o The Lexington Bicentennial Band concert was successful and have expressed
interest in doing again
o Lexington Public Schools prefers Saturday, as student and parent participation
was higher, and had less interference with school vacation week.
o Currently, Concord is planning on having their 2026 events on Monday.
o B.M. brought forward the motion, seconded
■ Moved: That the Lex250 Commission supports moving the 2026 Patriots'
Day weekend events to Saturday, April 18, 2026, in order to maximize
community engagement and align with the spirit of America 250.
■ Further moved: That this support is granted with the understanding that
the budgetary and staffing impacts are not yet known.
■ All members present voting yes, excepting D. Lucente abstaining
• Budget
o Further financial analysis is forthcoming; all expenses are present, but the
categorization of all line items is ongoing.
• Riding Through History
o More info coming at a later date; working with artists currently.
• VO250
o Arch lighting ceremony, Friday Sept. 12 6:30 PM
• Monthly/ Signature Events
o September
■ Saturday 9/27
• Lexington Porchfest, 1 - 5 PM
• Navratri/Bollywood Nlght, 6 - 9:30 PM
• Exotic Nights, 7:30 PM
o October
■ LexFarm Harvest Fest
• Next meeting: October 9, 4:30 PM
• The meeting was adjourned at 5:26 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Noah Michelson