HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-08-26-LEX250-minSemiquincentennial Commission (Lex250)
August 26 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 Monday August 24, 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
Cleve Coats, Community Representative
Steve Conners, Reenactment Community Representative
Barry Cunha, Business Representative
Bebe Fa!lick, Tourism Committee Representative
Jane Hundley, LPS 6-8 Social Science Department Head
Cerise Jalelian, Town Celebrations Committee Representative
Melanie Lin, Community Representative
Doug Lucente, Select Board Member
Bridger McGaw, Community Representative
Julie O'Leary, Civic Representative
Paul O'Shaughnessy, Historical Organization Representative
Ashley Rooney, Community Representative
Jillian Tung, Music & Arts Representative
David Pinsonneault, Director of Public Works
Chief Mike McLean, LPD
Cpt. John Mazerall, LPD
Sgt. David Bresnihan, LPD
Chief Derek Sencabaugh, Lexington Fire Department
Danny Watt
• The meeting was called to order at 4:30 PM by Ms. Barry
• April 2025 Schedule
o Thursday April 17
• Afternoon Ken Burns film preview showing in Cary Hall
• The Commission cannot publicize this event until the go ahead is
given from the Burns team.
• The aim is to have a full hall for this event, and the tickets must be
free of charge. Work has begun with Spectacle Entertainment to
coordinate booking software for sign-up and distribution of tickets
• A commitment has been made that half of the audience will be
school age children; coordination is ongoing with Dr. Hackett of
LPS on how this will be arranged.
■ There is the potential for a Thursday night event for the awards regularly
presented on Green on Monday morning.
o Friday April 18, 2025
■ 10 PM Paul Revere's Ride reenactment
o Saturday April 19,
■ 5:15 AM evacuation reenactment, 5:30 AM battle reenactment
• DPW met with Anthem Group about speakers and screens; the
possibility exists for one screen on the Mass Ave side of the
Green on the other side of the obelisk, one screen at the Visitors
Center, and potentially one screen at Emery Park in the bus turn
around. Pricing out equipment is ongoing and they should have a
quote this week.
• The importance was raised of identifying accessible parking areas,
and a possible accessible viewing area in front of the reviewing
stand.
■ Approximately 7:00 AM Parker's Revenge on the Green,
• Followed by the Minutemen marching up Mass Ave
• Minutemen and 10th Regiment will need need 4 busses to shuttle
them to the National Park.
■ 8:00 AM Road race,
• The sign -in area will potentially be at Emery Park, with the
start/finish line being by the Green.
■ 9:30 AM USS Lexington ceremony at the Visitors Center
■ 10:00 AM DAR tree dedication behind Buckman Tavern
■ Possible slot for monument
■ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM remains an open time slot for any possible dignitary
visits
■ 2:00 PM parade step off
• There are further discussions to be had about the start point.
• The number of units is still being worked on.
■ 7:30 PM Bicentennial Band concert in Cary Hall
o Sunday April 20, 2025
■ There are no official events in Lexington; Arlington will be hosting events
including their reenactment and parade.
o Monday April 21, 2025
■ 10:15 AM DAR ceremony at the obelisk on the Green
■ 1:00 PM Revere and Dawes reenactors arrive from Boston
• Discussions are ongoing about working on celebration
surrounding this.
o Tuesday April 22, 2025
■ 11:00 AM naturalization ceremony on Green, with a reception at Hancock
Church,
• Rain location in Cary Hall
o Road Closures/Parking/Transportation
■ Hard closure of Mass Ave from Waltham St. to Forest St., including
Harrington Rd
• 8 PM Friday through 6 PM Saturday
• This closure may expand during the night to extend to Worthern
Rd.
■ Identifying parking areas for satellite location, need civilian volunteers to
staff, need facilities (trash, portas) for private properties
o Invitations
■ The Select Board approved the recommendation document from the
Commission, and the goal is to get out invites in September.
o Parker's Prelude
■ The new date is September 21.
■ There will be a site walkthrough on September 5 at 8 AM.
■ Musical groups and cake are all set, and the Select Board has approved
closing a portion of Mass Ave.
■ Logistics are still needed for porta potties and trash.
■ The Chamber of Commerce arts and crafts festival is occurring the same
day, as well as a festival at the Greek church; co -branding opportunities
between the events are being worked on.
o Six Months to Go Weekend
■ October 19-20 2024
• Saturday the 19th is IAL's Diwali celebration at Cary Hall
• The current aim is to have a drone show on Sunday night at 7 PM;
a private donor has already been identified.
o Credentialing
■ Credentialing has been discussed with MEMA, and they recommend
universal credentialing between towns. This responsibility should be on
Anthem Group.
o Media
■ Working on staging areas and credentials.
■ The IMA team is working with Anthem to secure a media sponsor.
• Loose Ends
o Witness and 1775 Flags Project
■ Bebe is working with a small subcommittee to approach owners of these
houses.
■ There is a potential need for a budget for flags and holders; the
Commission may possibly ask owners to purchase from us.
o Banners
■ There are 18 poles in the center, with more banners possibly at other
locations around town.
■ Working with Scouts to find Eagle Scout project to be done this fall to
identify locations for banners.
■ Banners would be included as part of sponsor/donor incentives.
o Revere/Dawes
■ Need event that coordinates and helps keep visitors
• One possibility is a diner en blanc type event with attendees
dressing in red, white, or blue, with takeout ordered from local
restaurants.
o Thursday night event
■ This could be a time to possibly have visitors from other Lexingtons
around the US.
o Monument
■ The monument team met with the Monuments and Memorials committee,
and just met with the Tourism Committee. Meetings are upcoming with the
Historic Districts Commission on the 5th and the Select Boar don the 9th.
• Changes have been made based on feedback to mute the colors.
o Revolutionary Ball
■ Currently scheduled for April 5 2025 at the Knights of Columbus.
o Riding Through History
■ The Lex Art and Munroe Center horses are in place.
■ The web site is being updated to include more information about the
specific horses.
o Lectures
■ Cary Lecture Series has 4 250th themed lectures planned.
■ Work is ongoing with the Historical Society on planning more.
■ Voices on the Green is looking for storytellers for their November 22
program.
o Plantings
■ The Garden Club is coordinating red, white, and blue flower plantings in
town for April 2025.
o Community Partners
■ The question was raised of the possibility for having a form that groups
can fill out in order to be listed as a partner on the web site.
o Lunar New Year
■ Celebration on January 18 2025 with an east and west theme. This event
is collaborating with the Lexington Symphony and guest musicians.
o Lex Lux
■ A series of lantern making workshops at Munroe Center, culminating on
January 11.
■ Participants will be encouraged to bring their lanterns to the Lunar New
Year celebration.
• Fundraising Update
o The Commission received a presentation from Danny Watt on the fundraising
strategy created for Lex250.
o Important points included being an ambassador for the Commission, and voicing
to others about the importance of Lex250; communicating openly and swiftly with
giving team about potential donors; and as soon as you are ready, to make your
own contribution.
• Next meeting is Wednesday, September 11 at 4:30 PM
• The meeting was adjourned at 6:47 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Noah Michelson