HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-10-LEX250-minSemiquincentennial Commission (Lex250)
July 10 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 July 10 at 4:30 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
Cleve Coats, Community Representative
Steve Conners, Reenactment Community Representative
Bebe Fa!lick, Tourism Committee Representative
Cerise Jalelian, Town Celebrations Committee Representative
Julie O'Leary, Civic Representative
Bridger McGaw, Community Representative
Ashley Rooney, Community Representative
Present remotely:
Jane Hundley, LPS 6-8 Social Science Department Head
Doug Lucente, Select Board Member
Paul O'Shaughnessy, Historical Organization Representative
Jillian Tung, Music & Arts Representative
John Rossi, Commission on Disability Liaison
Sgt. David Bresnihan, LPD
James Malloy, Town Manager
Dave Pinsonneault, Department of Public Works
Mike Cronin, Director of Public Facilities
Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director
Joanne Belanger, Director of Public Health
Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation & Community Programs
Chief Mike McLean, LPD
Staff from John Guilfoil Public Relations (JGPR)
• The meeting was called to order at 4:31 by Ms. Barry
• MEMA Update
o Viewed presentation from Sara Zaalieckas and Allen Phillips from Massachusetts
Emergency Management Agency
o MEMEA is working Identify resource gaps and capabilities. Training and support
for local public safety officials from MEMA started approximately 9 months ago.
o Public safety working groups were created; meeting schedules for these groups
have been confirmed through March 2025
o Assumptions
■ Events in April 2025 will draw a large number of spectators and
participants
■ Venues will largely be open to the public and unsecured
■ VIPs and dignitaries will be in attendance
■ There will be substantial media coverage of events
■ Events will draw large numbers of protestors and demonstrators
■ Events will co-occur in different jurisdictions, requiring simultaneous
deployment of resources
■ There will be a high demand for resources
o MEMA Planning support
■ MEMA aims to have planning wrapped up by January to allow for time for
them to begin marathon planning
■ Full transparency will be present in planning; none of the working groups
will be planning in silos
■ Groups are working to get more granular
o A resource survey was disseminated across Commonwealth about events
happening that weekend; results are due by end of June and will be shared with
public safety officials.
• Parker's Prelude Planning Team Update
o An area has been mapped out for the Minutemen encampment, with 2 drills
planned.
o An art exhibition and hospitality station have been added.
o Extra tables will be needed from Economic Development and DPW.
o Fire Department has added crew to staff an ambulance at the event.
o The Planning group will meet at 11 AM on Thursday to discuss the forecasted
weather and possible postponement of the event.
o The Select Board has approved the rain date of July 20th.
■ William Diamond Jr. Fife and Drum can't make the rain date, the
Children's Chorus is undecided, the food trucks can't come, and the
henna artist is not available.
• Drone Show Discussion
o Possible tie in with the Indian Americans of Lexington's Diwali celebration the
same day, October 19.
o There is still a remaining question about the possible need to go through
procurement, depending on the eventual funding source.
• Invitation Update and Process Moving Forward
o The Select Board voted 4-0-1 to approve the recommendation submitted to them
by this Commission.
• JGPR Update
o JGPR was asked to provide support for Quock Walker Day, run by Association of
Black Citizens of Lexington on July 8.
■ There was good media coverage of the day's events.
o There is no press expected for Parker's Prelude, as it is a local festival.
■ JGPR photographer and social media coordinator will attend
• Economic Development Update
o The penny machine should arrive at the Visitors Center on Friday.
o An ad campaign for Lexington and the 250th released on Channel 5 campaign
this week.
■ It is already believed to have reached almost 40000 people.
• Announcements
o There has been discussion with US Army regarding their possible involvement in
the weekend of April 19, 2025.
o A meet and greet with the monument artist and project manager occurred this
week.
■ Topics discussed included site constraints, landscaping, and accessibility.
0
• Next meeting: July 24 at 4:30 via Zoom only.
• The meeting was adjourned at 5:55PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Noah Michelson