HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-12-LEX250-minSemiquincentennial Commission (Lex250)
June 12 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 June 12 at 6:00 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
Doug Lucente, Select Board Member
Bridger McGaw, Community Representative
Ashley Rooney, Community Representative
• The meeting was called to order at by Ms. Barry at 6:01 awaiting quorum
o Quorum was reached at 6:18
• Dignitary Invitation Listening Session Public Comment
o Steve Cole, Balfour St
■ Mr. Cole brought to the Commission's attention that Dolores Delgado,
Mexico is a sister city to Lexington and would be an avenue through
which to invite Claudia Sheinbaum, the newly elected President of
Mexico.
o Lance Bradley, Longfellow Rd (emailed comment)
■ Mr. Bradley informed the Commission of Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a Polish
man who fought in the Revolutionary War. Kosciuszko's record includes
the Battle of Saratoga, building fortifications at West Point, and
recognition from George Washington. Mr. Bradley, in the subject of his
email, encouraged the Commission to invite dignitaries from Poland.
o John Hilton, Massachusetts Ave (emailed comment)
■ Mr. Hilton expressed his dissatisfaction at the lack of an option for remote
participation in the meeting, as well as a concern at the potential cost of
any dignitaries invited. He cited the potential cost of a new high school as
well as initial conversations about waste removal related fees as issues of
concern to voters in regards to other costs the Town may incur.
o Barry Cunha, Semiquincentennial Commission Member
■ On the subject of inviting Charles !Hand other members of the British
royal family, Dr. Cunha raised a point about the potential image
consequences of Lexington not extending an invitation while Concord did.
o Ashley Rooney, Semiquincentennial Commission Member
■ Ms. Rooney suggested inviting Zendaya.
o Dawn McKenna, Hancock St.
■ Ms. McKenna suggested the possibility of including different dignitaries at
various times across a longer series of celebrations. She included that
Lexington's largest international tourism market is the United Kingdom,
and the importance of inviting dignitaries from France given Lexington's
sister city of Antony. She also added that the 250th celebrations are an
opportunity for Lexington to regrow its tourism after the COVID-19
pandemic, and supported inviting visitors from other Lexingtons around
the country and descendants of Robert Sutton, 2nd Baron Lexinton. SHe
ended with stressing the importance of inviting the President of the United
States.
o Bridger McGaw, Semiquincentennial Commission Member
■ Mr. McGaw encouraged the Commission to invite high ranking members
of the Armed Forces, including the Chief of the National Guard Bureau
and members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
o Chase Brownell, Willow St (emailed comment)
■ Mr. Brownell expressed his belief that Lexington should not provide
recognition to foreign nobles or any other dignitary not elected through
democratic process. He felt the 250th celebrations should be an
opportunity to highly the power of democratic action and that Lexington
should distance itself from the trappings of royalty. He suggested instead
inviting members of Parliament or the Prime Minister of the United
Kingdom, as well as similar elected officials from other nations.
o Mona Roy, Semiquincentennial Commission Member
o Dinesh Patel, Brent Rd (emailed comment)
■ Mr. Patel suggested inviting dignitaries from India, potentially the Consul
General of India in New York. He included in his email multiple articles
concerning the Battle of Cuddalore and opinions on its status as the final
battle of the American Revolution.
o Ruth Thomas, Parker St
■ Ms. Thomas raised the subject of the British East India Company and its
actions during British colonial rule of India.
• Parker's Prelude Planning Team Update
o Currently have contracts done or in the works with 3 different food trucks
o Met with head baker at Wilson's Farm; will print Captain Parker onto cake with
bottom being the base of the statue
■ Carrot cake, cupcakes of vanilla and chocolate/red velvet with logo
printed on them
■ Big cake is $400-500, cupcakes are $4-5.50 each
o Children's Chorus, Lex Bicentennial Band / Concord band, Jamaica Plain Honk
band, William Diamond Jr Fife and Drum
o Need to figure out what we are and are not doing in terms of activities
■ Henna for humanity, field and garden club
o Minutemen invited to next planning meeting
• Voices on the Green Update
o Jane, Jillian, and Mona met with Voices on the Green
■ Their November event, held the Friday after Election Day, has a theme of
Better Together
o Their ask is that we reach out to our contacts for storytellers, want to finalize by
end of summer, connect with Jillian and Jane
o Another event coming in April
• Lex250 Monument Update
o Met with town manager to review where monument process is at
■ Lex250 is still supportive of monument in Belfry Park, does not want to
spend additional money, believes there is shepherd in community
o 3 Possibilities
■ Outreach to community until end of June looking for a volunteer to
shepherd the process, using MAPC CFA as a base
■ Donor can use proposed funding to directly work with an artist to create
monument to be gifted to town
■ Project can be terminated
o Donor wants to continue with Meriam Gusevich to refine design with stipulation
that timeline must conclude by April 19th 2025
■ Select Board Objections: used both sites, red vs blue, height, redundant
to commemorate those on the green, visual conflict with minuteman
statue
• Fundraising Team Update
o Approx 55 people at Get Rev'd Up
o Having conversations with 4 possible 5 figure level corporate donors
o Have fundraising group meet before 6/30
o Need to finish process of credit card processing
• Anthem Update
o Small group meeting tomorrow to go over what is in contract and how they can
help us
• Economic Development Update
• Approve Minutes
o Ms. Barry moved to approve the minutes of 2/7/24, 2/14/24, 2/28/24, 3/13/24,
3/20/34, 3/27/24, and 4/10/24.
o The motion was seconded and passed by a unanimous vote.
• Next meeting: Wednesday June 26, 4:30 PM
• The meeting was adjourned at 7:57
Respectfully Submitted,
Noah Michelson