HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-13-LEX250-minSemiquincentennial Commission (Lex250)
November 13, 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 November 13, 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
Noah Michelson, Community Representative, Clerk
Cleve Coats, Community Representative
Barry Cunha, Business Representative
Bebe Fa!lick, Tourism Committee Representative
Cerise Jalelian, Town Celebrations Committee Representative
Melanie Lin, Community Representative
Doug Lucente, Select Board Member
Julie O'Leary, Civic Representative
Jillian Tung, Music & Arts Representative
John Guilfoil, JGPR
Steve Cole, Lexington Minutemen
Present remotely:
Steve Conners, Reenactment Community Representative
Ashley Rooney, Community Representative
Staff from John Guilfoil Public Relations (JGPR)
Dawn McKenna, 9 Hancock Rd
Absent:
Paul O'Shaughnessy, Historical Organization Representative
• The meeting was called to order at 4:30 PM by M. Roy
• Minutes
o C. Jalelian moved to approve the minutes of 9/11/2025 and 10/9/2025, and the
motion was seconded.
o Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
• V0250
o The arch has been lit representing 60,000 hours to date, the working group is
targeting lighting an additional 60,000 hours after the tree lighting on 11/28.
o LHS entered approx 34,000 hours from students.
• Riding Through History
o Reception
■ Aiming for after Patriots' Day, either a Wednesday or Thursday. A venue
and the availability of artists still needs to be confirmed.
o Disposition of Horses
■ HDC approved an extension of 5 years for the horse installed outside the
Depot Building. Due to the October 2022 vote of the Commission to
auction off the horses at the conclusion of the installation, an additional
vote will be needed to only auction all but one horse.
■ The main concern is for the longevity of horses; some are already
showing signs of wear.
■ The cleanest course of action is to gift the Depot horse to Lexington
History Museums, potentially with a permanent plaque on site.
o Auction
■ The current target is to auction off the horses before Patriots' Day 2026.
The horses would be removed later in the year, with proceeds going
towards a long term public art installation as a marker of the 250th
celebrations.
■ An online auction, with an estimated 1 week runtime, would cost
approximately $850; additionally a budget of about $1000 to coordinate
transfer from site and advise buyers on installation would be required.
■ Questions remain regarding the process for choosing artists, format, etc.
of the long term art installation that would be paid for by the auction
proceeds.
■ Motion: Move that it is the will of the Commission that a plan be
formulated to auction off all Riding Through History horses except for the
horse currently installed outside the Depot building, and
• Further, move that $2000 be budgeted for running of the auction
and coordination of the removal and delivery of the horses, and
• Further, move that it is the intention of the Commission that a
portion proceeds from the auction be used for the creation and
installation of a permanent public art installation marking the 250th
celebrations.
■ N. Michelson moved, and the motion was seconded. The motion passes
by unanimous roll call vote.
• Budget
o The revolving fund currently has approximately $280,000-$288,000.
o Current identified needs for Patriots' Day Weekend 2026 total $253,860
■ This estimate includes some potential wants, that are not necessarily
needs.
■ Remaining funds after baseline cost would total $26,000-$34,000.
• Communications and Public Relations
o The 2025 communications and public relations strategy was highly effective
through social media and traditional media pushes; JGPR supported numerous
events including and beyond Patriots' day. It is very likely that 2026 will attract as
many or more visitors than 2025.
o The aim for the next 9 months would be for JGPR to continue to promote and
document events, credential media, etc.
• Next meeting: Wednesday December 3, 4:30 PM via Zoom
• The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Noah Michelson