Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-10-TOUR2-min `OVs MORN' O� 1775 tic N P APRIL 19' �FXI NGS�� Town of Lexington Tourism Committee Dawn McKenna, Chair (781) 862-0500 ext 84585 Tourism Committee Minutes June 10, 2019 4:30—6:00 pm Selectmen's Meeting Room(Town Hall Building) Members Present: Dawn McKenna, Marsha Baker, Bebe Fallick, Jon Himmel, Wim Nijenberg, Kerry Brandin, Trisha Kennealy, Erica McAvoy Board of Selectmen Liaison: Jill Hai Center Committee Liaison: Fred Johnson Staff Present: Melisa Tintocalis, Katie Johnson, Casey Hagerty, and Ariel Chin Members Absent: Margaret Coppe 1) Economic Development Staffing and reports 10 minutes a) Staff updates Casey Hagerty was introduced as the new Economic Development Coordinator. Ariel Chin was introduced as the new Visitors Center Assistant Manager. Katie Johnson provided the committee with an update of activity at the Visitors Center including new items purchased and sale numbers for the month of May.She also provided a packet on construction signage and the video loop being shown in the Ellen Stone Room. b.) The amount of tickets sold for the Liberty Ride for FYI were reviewed. The numbers are lower than the numbers of a typical year. Marsha Baker added that admissions to Buckman Tavern have been up 9% since the Visitors Center has relocated. Dawn McKenna indicated that the lack of a permanent Liberty Ride Coordinator has contributed to this and is of concern. 2) Updates and Miscellaneous 5 minutes a) Official Visit to Antony Dawn McKenna explained that an official trip to Antony, France is being planned for the fall. There is a delegation of Lexington Officials attending as well as members of the Lexington Minutemen. Those interested in attending the visit should contact Tony Galaitsis. Jill Hai is coordinating for Town officials. . b) Bebe Fallick informed the committee that there is a group of people who are working on a celebration to commemorate the end of World War IL She will keep the committee informed about the plans. She also 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 mentioned that there is a group of people in Lexington who are interested in building a World War II memorial. The Committee noted that there is already a World War II monument next to the Visitors Center. 3) Minutes A motion was made and seconded(8-0) to approve the minutes of 41812019. A motion was made and seconded(8-0) to approve the minutes of 51212019. 4) Reappointments, Meeting dates and structure Dawn McKenna informed the committee that the Board of Selectmen will be reappointing members to boards and committees in the fall. Those members interested in remaining on the Tourism Committee should speak with Dawn. The committee discussed future meeting dates. They decided going forward all meetings would be on Thursdays The Committee preferred to have one meeting per month for a longer duration. The meetings will start at 3:30pm and still end by 6 pm.. A special meeting to discuss technology for the new Visitors Center is scheduled for June 27, 2019. 5) Visitors Center Construction 20 minutes a) Lower level content—Interesting facts and firsts The committee reviewed the potential content for the lower level exhibits. The committee prioritized the information and content provided. The top priorities include Active Citizenry, architecture, annual events, the arts, milestone celebrations, trails and public land preservation, and farming. A list of facts to place in the bathrooms was also developed. The committee will work with the exhibit designer to create the displays and will bring drafts back to the committee for review. b) Funding i) Cash register donations In the month of May, there were four donations made to the Visitors Center totaling $164.10. The committee reiterated that the Selectmen had approved requesting donations of$1 or more at the cash register for each sale and asked Katie to train staff to do so. Selling an item in which all of the profits of its sale go towards the Visitors Center project was also previously approved and Katie will work on finding an item to propose for this purpose. Other new options were discussed for increasing donations such as a small gift if one donates. Any new fundraising ideas would have to be approved by the Selectmen and Town Manager. ii) Mass Cultural Facilities event on Friday, June 14, at 10:30 am in Worcester Erica McAvoy stated that she will be present at the Mass Cultural Facilities grant award event and will represent the Tourism Committee. iii) CEL grant award Tuesday, June 11 at 5:30 pm Dawn McKenna and Bebe Fallick will attend the CEL Grant award night and accept the grant of behalf of the Tourism Committee. iv) $200k state earmark received Dawn McKenna explained that the money that the remaining funds earmarked for the Visitors Center in the state budget have been received by the Town and are now in the Visitors Center Stabilization Fund. c) Other topics as needed The subcommittee for technology in the new Visitors Center explained that they have been moving ahead on their ideas. At the next Tourism Committee meeting, they will give the Committee a demonstration of their concept. 6) Battle Green Masterplan Interpretive Signs Draft#1 The committee reviewed the first draft of the reader rail signage for the Battle Green and Belfry as part of the Masterplan.. Rather than having a Linger in Lexington rail, a design highlighting those who died during the Battle of Lexington is proposed. The committee expressed concern about not having space for QR codes. This feedback will be given to the designer. 7) Goals Draft FY2020 goals were provided to the committee for discussion at their next meeting on June 27th 8) Other unforeseen items that must be addressed prior to next meeting None Adjourned at approximately 6:30 p.m. Documents available:Tourism Committee Agenda,Liberty Ride Trolley tour numbers,Visitors Center Tourism Update,Invitation to Antony,France,draft minutes of April 8,2019, draft minutes of May 2,2019,Lower Level content ideas,JDA Sales Department Summary, Battle Green Interpretive Project draft 1. Respectfully submitted, Casey Hagerty Approved 7/18/2019