HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-24-LEX250-minSemiquincentennial Commission (Lex250)
September 24, 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 September 24, 2024 at 4:30PM 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
Noah Michelson, Community Representative, Clerk
Cleve Coats, Community Representative
Steve Conners, Reenactment Community Representative
Barry Cunha, Business Representative
Jane Hundley, LPS 6-8 Social Science Department Head
Doug Lucente, Select Board Member
Bridger McGaw, Community Representative
Chief Mike McLean, LPD
Cpt. John Mazerall, LPD
Sarah Bothwell Allen
Present remotely:
Mona Roy, Community Representative, Vice Chair
Bebe Fa!lick, Tourism Committee Representative
Cerise Jalelian, Town Celebrations Committee Representative
Ashley Rooney, Community Representative
Jillian Tung, Music & Arts Representative
John Rossi, Commission on Disability Liaison
Sgt. David Bresnihan, LPD
Ariel Chin, Visitors Center
David Pinsonneault, Director of Public Works
Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director
Staff from John Guilfoil Public Relations (JGPR)
• The meeting was called to order at 4:31 PM by Ms. Barry
• Riding Through History Follow Up
o The horses were unveiled Saturday, 9/21. Three of the contributing artists were
present at the event.
o Other groups have expressed interest in hosting a horse; logistics for this have
not been communicated yet.
o More photos forthcoming for addition to the website.
• Parker's Prelude Follow Up
o The switch to holding the event was warranted with the rain that occurred, and a
good time was had by all. The combined Lexington/Concord band was a big hit,
and the groups still want to host a concert on the Battle Green at a later date.
• Drone Show Update
o The drone show is set for Sunday 10/20 at 6:30 with the drone show beginning at
7 PM.
o The LHS Parade Band has been confirmed for the pre -show; we are still waiting
to hear back from the William Diamond Jr Fife & Drum Corps, CAAL's dragon,
and the Lexington Minutemen.
o The storyboard for the show is nearly finished, and the working group is looking
to retain an audio company for amplification during the show.
■ The working group still needs to determine the correct procurement
procedure' there is still additional money left from the private donor.
o There will potentially be a "Lantern Procession" from the fields towards the Battle
Green for an illuminated shape photo.
■ To be discussed with Police, Fire, DPW, Facilities, Recreation, etc.
o There is a meeting with Meeting with Fire, DPW, LPD on Friday to discuss the
staging plan: where the drones take off, where the public is encouraged to watch,
etc.
o A Save the Date has been created by JGPR; they are currently determining best
plan for initial publicity given the information currently known.
• Light the Green Update
o Visual logistics still need to be figured out.
o Justine Wirtanen has agreed to help coordinate the process.
o Walkthrough with DPW is needed for the logistics of lighting, sound, closures,
etc.
• Other Lexingtons Update
o Had Zoom call with Lexington South Carolina, they are commissioning a special
batch of whiskey. They are recording a greeting message, and are looking for
one in return.
■ There is a potential meet up at the Battle of Camden reenactment on
November 9-10.
o No communication from Lexington KY.
• Schools Update
o 8th Grade students will be researching a list of 11 different events that have
taken place on the Battle Green.
■ Students will learn about the events and why they took palace on Battle
Green, and look at how they represent Lexington then and now.
■ Small groups of students will take one event and decorate a tricorn hat
depicting the event. The hats are being provided by the Visitors Center.
■ The 11 best hats from each school will be displayed at Cary Hall during
the Ken Burns visit, as well as on a float in the parade.
■ The activity will be tested out with teachers at an upcoming professional
development day.
• LexVolunteer Update
o Getting volunteerism back to preCOVID levels has been difficult; a program to
encourage volunteering across the town is being proposed.
o In six months from October 2024 to April 2025, ask individuals to contribute 10
hours volunteering for organizations in town
■ The Lex250 website would host a space for residents to pledge to
contribute the 10 hours, find information on volunteering opportunities,
and to submit proof of completion.
■ There exists the possibility of distributing a physical reward to those that
complete the hours.
• This could be a potential space for an in-kind sponsorship.
■ Individuals completing 10 or more hours could be recognized at the
awards ceremony.
• IMA Update
o Ms. Barry presented a brief update on the status of the Intermunicipal Agreement
(IMA) that had previously been signed between Arlington, Lexington, Concord,
and Lincoln for the coordination of 250th related activities.
■ The IMA was formed to hire an event planner, transportation provider,
crisis communication team, and create a unified website.
■ The IMA team, consisting of 2 members from each community, opted to
pass on creating a shared website. MEMA has since expressed the
importance of having a unified space for information, and is now using the
state 250th website.
■ There has been little interest among the IMA team in hiring a unified crisis
communications team; Lexington has already contracted JGPR for this
purpose.
■ There is limited money available for transportation services.
■ Anthem Group was hired as the event planner across the four
communities, and will present a 6 months to go update at the next Select
Board meeting.
o Ms. Barry solicited feedback from Commission members on the progress of the
IMA.
■ Commission members and public officials expressed frustration with a
lack of deliverables from Anthem.
■ The transportation working group has identified parking lots, pickup
locations, etc. and believes they have sufficient information to put
together an RFI along with Concord's procurement officer.
• Next meeting: Wednesday October 9
• The meeting was adjourned at 6:13
Respectfully Submitted,
Noah Michelson