HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-08-14-LEX250-minSemiquincentennial Commission (Lex250)
August 14 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 August 14, 2024 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
Barry Cunha, Business Representative
Bebe Fa!lick, Tourism Committee Representative
Melanie Lin, Community Representative
Doug Lucente, Select Board Member
Jillian Tung, Music & Arts Representative
Jay Abdella, Senior Economic Development Coordinator
Present remotely:
Bridger McGaw, Community Representative
Sgt. David Bresnihan, LPD
Carolyn Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager for Finance
Mike Cronin, Director of Public Facilities
David Pinsonneault, Director of Public Works
Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation & Community Programs
Staff from John Guilfoil Public Relations (JGPR)
• The meeting was called to order at 4:33 by Ms. Barry.
• Parker's Prelude Planning Team Update
o The July 13 date was canceled; Saturday September 21 from 11 AM - 2PM was
chosen for the new date with a contingency location at Lexington High School.
o There has been an Indicated preference for a road closure of Mass Ave between
Bedford St and Harrington Rd to facilitate performer dropoff and placement of
porta potties.
o All music groups have confirmed their attendance; the Children's Chorus will
have an abbreviated program. The original schedule will still stand.
o There will be no food trucks, and Wilson's will still be providing cake and
cupcakes.
o The new date is the same weekend as the Chamber of Commerce's Arts and
Crafts festival. There will most likely need to be a crossing guard between the
Visitors Center lawn and the Green.
o The planned activities have been scaled back; the Minutemen still plan on drilling
o 2 - 3 tables will still be needed for cake and hospitality.
• Drone Show Update
o The working group is still in the process of securing space on October 20.
■ There is still a need to check with facilities about any High School space
rentals that night in order to keep the safety perimeter clear.
• Monument Update
o There are upcoming meetings with the Historic Districts Commission and Select
Board regarding the monument project.
• Witness House Project Update
o The group is working on creating a list of houses that were standing in 1775
o The group will meet next week with Concord to coordinate witness house
projects across the two towns.
• Community Engagement/Pop the Tent Update
o The Knights of Columbus have been approached about organizing a Colonial
Ball; they currently are looking at Sept 20, 2025 for the event.
■ Feedback from the Commission is to move more towards a March or April
date, if that is amenable.
o Voices on the Green
■ Organization is ongoing to collaborate in building storytelling programs
that tie in with the 250th.
o Volunteering Project
■ A volunteering incentive project has been proposed by resident Sara
Bothwell Allen to tie in with the 250th. The program would seek to launch
at the six months to go date (October 19), and participants would be
asked to volunteer 10 hours with any organization in town over a six
month period.
■ Possible support from the Commission could include a page on the web
site for pledges, outreach, etc.
■ The Commission expressed interest in having Ms. Bothwell Allen attend a
future meeting to provide more information.
• JGPR Update
o The JGPR team is working on creating the giving page on the website.
• Economic Development Update
o Economic Development is working on identifying parking needs and sites for
Patriots' Day weekend 2025
• Next meeting: August 26, in person only, 4:30 - 6:30
• The meeting was adjourned at 6:10
Respectfully Submitted,
Noah Michelson