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Home My WebLink About2025-04-30-LEX250-min.pdf250 1775-2025 LEXINGTON i.�o55oCN�5En5 Semiquincentennial Commission (Lexington 250) — Agenda Wednesday, April 30, 2025 4:30-6:00 pm Parker Room, Town Office Building, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington and on Zoom o Welcome o Meeting Norms o Lex250 Commission Debrief of April 17-22, 2025 Events o Housekeeping o Approve Meeting Minutes o Future Meetings: 5/14/25, 6/11/25 4:30 pm 4:35 pm 5:50 pm You are invited to a Zoom webinar! When: Apr 30, 2025 04:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: Lex250 Meeting Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android: https:Hlexingtonma.zoom.us/j/82016431667?pwd--t2gV2MQY6Ucslbgl VI8euPDUCTb BkT. l Passcode:416497 Pursuant to notice duly filed with the Town Clerk, the Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250) convened in a hybrid meeting in the Parker Room at the Town Office Building and via Zoom video conference on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 4:30 pm by Ms. Barry as allowed by legislation (5.2475) extending the suspension of certain provisions of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law. Present In Person Suzie Barry, Chair Jane Hundley, Lexington Public Schools Representative Steve Conners, Reenactment Community Representative Barry Cunha, Business Representative Bridger McGraw, Community Representative Cerise Jalelian, Town Celebrations Committee Representative Bebe Fallick, Tourism Committee Representative Melanie Lin, Community Representative Mona Roy, Community Representative, Vice Chair Cleve Coats, Community Representative Noah Michelson, Community Representative Jillian Tung, Music & Arts Representative Present Remotely Julie O'Leary, Civic Representative John Rossi, Commission on Disability Liaison Ashley Rooney, Community Representative Doug Lucente, Community Representative Paul O'Shaughnessy, Historical Organization Representative • Welcome • Meeting Norms Thank yous were extended by Ms. Barry • Lex250 Commission Debrief of April 17-22, 2025 Event o Mr. McGraw -Wildly successful, captured the narrative of Lexington for the use in years to come. o Mr. Michelson -People had a great time with no major issues. It was interesting to see the scale of the celebration o Mr. Coats -Successful family friendly event. The protesters were well behaved and responded to law enforcement in a positive manner o Ms. Lin -Four high quality packed days with events for Lexingtonians and surrounding communities. The diversity of volunteers was impressive o Ms. Tung -Fabulous energy with offerings that brought lots of people together during a time when society has so many divisions. o Dr. Cunha -The numbers were so impressive, weather amazing, parade was full of enthusiastic crowds. At the Naturalization Ceremony was very moving and will continue in the future o Ms. Jalelian- The public perception was that it went off without a hitch. Fifteen units per six minutes, this was an excellent pace. The stakeholders meeting was essential to the parade's success. The overall sentiment of public works and law enforcement was incredible o Ms. Fallick- Noted that the calendar was a great success and meaningful for so many folks. People have gone out of their way to tell her how incredible the events were. Her multi -generational family had a great time. She had the most fantastic three days. A friend described it as "magical". o Mr. Connors -Overall positive as well as exhausting. The volume of people was incredible. o Ms. Hundley-The reenactment and the Patriotic Picnic was the best time ever. o Ms. Roy -Secure, inclusive, continue the revolution! Ms. Roy noted the Lt. Gov. Driscoll gave huge props to Lexington today at the state house. Noted that social media is blowing up with positive comments o Ms. Rooney -Town staff was amazing. Specifically noted the exceptional help that all of them provided. VO25 was super! The audience was very very supportive even with the falling arch! This was the start of a wonderful Lexington tradition. o Ms. O'Leary -Monday's picnic was a nice relaxing time for her as she was able to connect with neighbors and commission members. The DAR event was successful. The Golden Knights and the old guard was meaningful to her as well. Noted that Conventures was very responsive to the needs of the DAR ladies. o Mr. O'Shaughnessy- Noted that Conventures was very helpful from the British point of view. On Monday the 10th Regiment were at Buckman Tavern to greet the mobs of tourists. High marks and no issues. o Mr. Rossi -One word: Authenticity. He was in Lexington, SC and it was in the news there in a positive manner. Reminded us that given our current national situation, the idea of dealing with "kings and wanna be kings" is what we do in Lexington, MA. o Mr. Lucente-Mission accomplished! It is difficult to sum up. Noted that the bicentennial commission would have been proud. It was safe and fun! Goals accomplished. There are so many people to thank it is overwhelming. An appreciation of town staff would be good to plan for the future. A home run! o Ms. Barry -The Commission worked together to show our neighbors, country and the world what Lexington is made of. Statewide public safety was impressed with our preparations. Since April 19, our followers on Instagram have doubled. The most media credentials ever. We have shared our story with the world and we should be proud! • Events Walkthrough-All Commission Members o April 17 ■ Press Conference -Ken Burns handled all of the questions very well. MEMA Director and Lt. Gov. were great ■ Ken Burns Event -He loved the flag that we gave him. The library and rec. department volunteers were amazing. Everyone impressed with the students and the students' projects ■ VO25 • Flash Mob was successful • The point was to celebrate volunteers and volunteerism. Fun and connections to history. The program was great. Maybe a little long but that is to be expected given the newness of the celebration • The arch is back together and be installed in the coming days • Will replace the countdown calendar. The calendar is currently in Mr. Lucente's backyard • Mr. Michelson noted that it was a great town centered event and • Ms. Roy and Ms. Rooney reminded us that we need to build on this excitement for volunteerism • Some conversation about eliminating the morning parade and replacing it with VO25 o April 18 ■ Zip Trip was amazing with huge crowds. Ms. Barry noted the spectacular LHS music department • JGPR organized it -much appreciated • Ms. Roy noted that it would be great to have had more information on the event • In general all of the media was great ■ Paul Revere's Ride -Mr Connors reporting • Wildly successful with huge, enthusiastic crowds • Audio was great • Estimated 10,000 people • The barricades could have been much longer due to the crowd size o April 19 -Save this discussion for next meeting o April 21- • Wreath Laying- Not well attended ■ Patriotic Picnic in the Park • Logistically challenging and it seemed to work out • ADA was done on the fly and was successful • Community members loved it because it created a sense of inclusion • LexMedia streamed it and made it accessible to folks at home • The tent was really helpful for all age groups • The picnic was a way to showcase local businesses • Ms. Lin gave kudos to the volunteers o April 22 -Naturalization Ceremony ■ The seating was not in an opportune location to see the ceremony ■ In general an awesome event ■ Some disagreement about the effectiveness of the audio ■ Mr. McGaw suggested that we share the feedback with the Court • Housekeeping 5:50 o May 14-JGPR and Conventures will attend this meeting to do a larger debrief and make recommendations- At LexPD community room o Approve Meeting Minutes -next meeting o Future Meetings: 5/14/25, 6/11/25 0 5:58 adjourned Respectfully Submitted, Jane Hundley