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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-08-LEX250-minSemiquincentennial Commission (Lex250) May 8, 2024 Meeting Minutes Pursuant to notice duly filed with the Town Clerk, the Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250) convened in a hybrid format in the Parker Room at the Town Office Building and via Zoom video conference on Wednesday May 8, 2024 at 4:30 PM by Ms. Barry as allowed by legislation (S.2475) extending the suspension of certain provisions of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law. Present in person: Suzie Barry, Select Board Member, Chair Mona Roy, Community Representative, Vice Chair Noah Michelson, Community Representative, Clerk Jane Hundley, LPS 6-8 Social Science Department Head Cleve Coats, Community Representative Cerise Jalelian, Town Celebrations Committee Representative Jillian Tung, Music & Arts Representative Steve Conners, Reenactment Community Representative Staff from John Guilfoil Public Relations (JGPR) Danny Watt, 54 Middle St Dawn McKenna, 9 Hancock St Present remotely: Bebe Fallick, Tourism Committee Representative Ashley Rooney, Community Representative John Rossi, Commission on Disability Liaison Bridger McGaw, Community Representative Julie O'Leary, Civic Representative Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director Staff from JGPR Staff from Anthem Group • The meeting was called to order at 4:32 PM by Ms. Barry • Penny Machine Update o A new penny press company has been sourced. The previously appropriated $7000 may not be sufficient for the intended purpose of a press machine, 4 imprints, and a full vinyl wrap decal. o Ms. Barry moved that the Commission use up to $8500 for the purchase of a penny press machine. ■ The motion was seconded and approved unanimously by a roll call vote. • Riding Through History Update o The Historic Districts Commission approved three of the four proposed installation sites: in front of the Post Office, in front of the Depot building, and in front of Grain Mill Alley. Approval for the site in front of the Visitors Center is still pending. The project will again return to the HDC at the June 6 meeting. o The process of creating the call for artists has begun, with the possibility of a reveal event occurring in the late summer to early fall. • Parker's Prelude Event Update o The event will be held on July 13 from 11 AM to 2 PM on the Battle Green, pending application and approval. o Of the 15 food trucks reached out to, 7 responded. All respondents had requirements for minimums, ranging from $1500 to $3000. ■ Anthem Group will provide a list of food trucks they have worked with in the past for consideration. • Monument Update o The Select Board did not approve the design that came forward as a result of the monument selection process headed by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). The main reason stated by the Select Board was the design's use of both sides of Belfry Park as opposed to one side or the other as stated in the call for artists. The Select Board sought the Semiquincentennial Commission's opinion on the following questions: ■ Is there still a desire to pursue a monument commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington? • Consensus among the Commission was that there is still a desire for a monument, contingent on the continued availability of private funding. ■ Is Belfry Park the correct location for a monument or are there alternate locations? • The Commission was split, with the overall preference being Belfry Park and a range of opinions on the suitability of alternate locations. ■ Is the Commission comfortable reengaging with the top two semifinalists for revised designs, possibly including a site visit? • The Commission's feelings were mixed, with a common opinion that the funding for any such trip would need to be provided from a private source. o Public Comment ■ Dawn McKenna of 9 Hancock St. referenced the Battle Green Master Plan, which discussed opening up Belfry Park and making the space more usable. Ms. McKenna pointed out the number of pre-existing monuments in the center, including the All-Soldiers Monument, which she felt the selected monument design duplicates. She suggested Antony Park as an alternate location for a 250th monument, and encouraged the Commission to consider the initial vision of a monument that takes into account what the Battle of Lexington has meant over time. ■ Danny Watt of 54 Middle St. expressed that any 250th monument would be an ideal location to host permanent recognition of donors to the 250th celebrations. • Fundraising Update o June 5 will be the "Get Revved Up" event seeking to bring together key individuals from the community to help spread the word about the upcoming celebrations. The event will be held at Revolution Hall, and require $3500 for food for approximately 100 guests. o Mr. McGaw moved that $3500 be appropriated for food for the event. ■ The motion was seconded and unanimously approved by roll call vote. • JGPR Update o An ad for Parker's Prelude will be run in the Lexington times, and JGPR is working on creating a digital flier, a website page, and an email to be sent out. • Anthem Update o Anthem Group is looking at the calendar of events for Patriots' Day weekend 2025 for the 4 IMA towns, and working on ensuring that people and assets can move between events. • Economic Development Update o Staff members met with state partners about obtaining transportation support for Patriots' Day weekend 2025, resulting in no final solutions but a commitment to send a coordinator to later meetings. • Miscellaneous Updates o The possibility exists of obtaining a capital grant from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. More details to come. o Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, and Arlington will be presenting at the next meeting of the state 250th commission regarding the ongoing collaborative efforts. o Tom Colatosti has submitted his resignation from the Commission. The open position will be posted by the Select Board once they accept the resignation. • Next meeting: May 22 at 4:30 PM • The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 PM Respectfully Submitted, Noah Michelson