HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-15-LEX250-minSemiquincentennial Commission (Lex250)
January 15, 2026 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 January 15, 2026 at 4:30 PM by Mona 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
Noah Michelson, Community Representative, Clerk
Bebe Fallick, Tourism Committee Representative
Melanie Lin, Community Representative
Present remotely:
Bridger McGaw, Community Representative, Vice Chair
Steve Conners, Reenactment Community Representative
Cerise Jalelian, Town Celebrations Committee Representative
Doug Lucente, Select Board Member
Paul O'Shaughnessy, Historical Organization Representative
Ashley Rooney, Community Representative
Absent:
Cleve Coats, Community Representative
Barry Cunha, Business Representative
Kerry Dunne, LPS Representative
Julie O'Leary, Civic Representative
Jillian Tung, Music & Arts Representative
• The meeting was called to order at 4:35 by M. Roy
• Approval of Minutes
o N. Michelson moved to approve minutes from November 13, December 3, and
December 11 2025.
• Motion was passed unanimously by all present (M. Roy, B. Fallick, M.
Lin, N. Michelson, D. Lucente, B. McGaw, P. O'Shaughnessy, C. Jalelian,
S. Connors)
• Workgroup Updates
o VO250
• The next Arch Lighting will be on January 10th to mark 200,000 hours.
• Next and final lighting will be in April to coincide with the awards
ceremony which precedes Patriots' Day.
• Question still remains on potential commemorative items or certificates for
participants achieving higher levels.
o Signature Events
■ Working group has been in contact with Henry Louis Gates for a potential
speaking arrangement; his office indicated that he is positive on
participating has asked to send dates.
■ A Jewish American event is in the works with Temple Isaiah.
■ Working to create a walking tour of the Witness Houses, potentially in
coordination with Freedom's Way.
■ A Lexington History Through Food Festival is in the works.
■ January: Additional programs continue as a part of the MLK Week of
Service.
■ February: CAAL Lunar New Year is nearly sold out; will coordinate
publicity with CAAL
• Horses Next Steps
o The lantern horse will be moving to the Community Center. No Historic Districts
Commission (HDC) approval is needed, but Lexington History Museums must
approve the installation due to a historic preservation restriction in place for the
building's exterior.
o TheDepot horse already has HDC approval for remaining in place.
o The horses at the Post Office, Inn at Hastings Park, and Munroe Center for the
Arts would need HDC approvals for extensions.
o The horses at LexArt and the Visitors' Center can be sold.
o As Town property, all future decisions regarding the disposition of the horses fall
the the Select Board.
o At the insistence of the Commission Chair, no motion on recommendation was
entertained, nor informal consensus reached.
o Riding Through History Reception
■ April 30th at First Parish Church, funded by a grant by the Community
Endowment in Lexington
• Discussion of 1/12/26 Select Board Meeting
o Remainder of the existing funds were appropriated towards Patriots' Day
Weekend 2026.
o The Commission will continue to amplify and promote Signature Events put on by
community groups.
o Further funding for events will need to be privately raised and coordinated.
• Next meeting: No February meeting; next meeting date to be announced.
• The meeting was adjourned at 5:43
Respectfully Submitted,
Noah Michelson