HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-20-2020-min Town of Lexington
20/20 Vision Committee Meeting
November 20,2020
Remote Meeting
7:45 a.m.—9:00 a.m.
Members Present: Fernando Quezada, Dan Krupka, Margaret Coppe, Peter Enrich, Robert Peters,Joe
Pato,Andrew Dixon, and Alan Wrigley
Members Absent: Bhumip Khasnabish, Kathleen Lenihan, Peter Lee, Mark Manasas
Guests: Marian Cohen, Candy McLaughlin,Jyostna Kakullavarapu
Professional Staff Present: Katharine Labrecque, Management Analyst
The meeting was called to order: 7:50am
The Remote Meeting Opening Script was read by the chair, Fernando Quezada.
Minutes:
• Approval of the minutes from the September 25 and October 20, 2020 meetings were approved
in two separate votes.
Handouts/Documents:
• Discussion on Membership handout
Action Items Summary:
• Katharine will try to keep the meeting minutes to two pages.
• Jyostna will reach out to the Council on Aging, IAL and other groups she is affiliated for feedback
on the 2017 survey.
• Committee members will send their comments and feedback on the 2017 survey by the end of
the calendar year.
• Joe will send out a link to Arlington's new visionary committee's charge, Envision Arlington.
Meeting Highlights:
Recognition of Current Topics and Issues Arising from Special Town Meeting
Fernando commented that certain issues have arose from Special Town Meeting that may require our
attention, such as economic development. Peter and Bob commented that they saw emerging
consensus to act on economic development in regards to Hartwell Ave. Bob noted that although being
here for only a few months, the Economic Development and Planning Directors have done a great job of
developing a phased approach to move forward with the development at Hartwell. Bob also added that
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the vote a town meeting that deserves significant attention, is the approval of the Systemic Racism
Resolution.Joe commented that due to that reason, the Police station rebuild project was put on hold
until we had broader public participation.The board has been having ongoing decisions about how to
best move forward. At the last Select Board meeting, a draft survey was introduced regarding design but
the board was overall not comfortable with it because it seemed to leading. Margaret commented that
the racism resolution brought forward is very important. Margaret also commented that she wonders if
we should talk more about housing and income inequality. Marian commented that we have the
opportunity to add questions about these issues on the 2022 townwide survey.
Town wide Survey Planning Update
Peter provided an update. Peter commented that the group has been reviewing the 2017 questions, and
encourages members to review it and provide and feedback. We are looking to add new questions
related to the topics we discussed today related to town meeting and also climate change and
sustainability. Peter commented that he will be also reaching out to Candy for feedback. Marian added
that she wants to encourage broad participation in meetings and other opportunities, but we don't want
to beat ourselves up along the way if people are not getting involved.Jyotsna noted that she is going to
share the survey with the Council on Aging board, Indian Americans of Lexington, and other groups she
is affiliated with.
20/20 Vision Committee Membership Development
Dan asked the committee members to think about our membership and what qualifications we should
be seeking when considering candidates for our committee. We should also consider where we might
find these candidates, and how we should go about recruiting candidates. Peter noted that we don't
select our own members,the Select Board does in coordination with the interests and concerns of the
other two elected boards. Peter added that those of us who were influential at the beginning really
focused on two major goals. One being to provide some long-range visioning to support the elected
boards,who are focused on the short-term goals.The other one was to bring more voices into the
conversation and build a more collegial setting for town governance, including the voices that are not
normally included. At the time,the group thought about the diverse voices that should be represented
from the Clergy Association,the Council of Aging, Chamber,TMMA, and other affinity groups to
recommend representation. Peter added that as we got working groups up and running, those
individuals who had a specific interest but had a broad perspective were considered for membership.
Peter commented that maybe at some point we should increase the membership by two to four
members to provide for younger, more diverse voices,which would ultimately be the decision of the
Select Board. Dan asked the members of the three elected boards what they are looking for as
qualifications.Joe commented that he is looking for individuals with a balance spread of skills: someone
who is a visionary, a strategic thinker, and analytical. Additionally,Joe is looking for someone who
represents the broad and diverse interests and perspectives of the community.Joe noted that the size
of the committee is determined by practical boundaries but is also based on available qualified
candidates.The board would expand if there were a pool of interested and engaged candidates. Dan
asked Bob if there are topics that address planning board interests. Bob commented that he agrees with
Joe,that a broad spectrum of voices of the community is where we get value. Bob noted that the survey
will be extremely useful in validating the work we have done around development, housing, and housing
production. Dan asked if they were to approach the Boards with recommendations,would that be
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useful or helpful.Joe commented that it would be challenging because we have been getting some
diverse and qualified candidates as it relates to membership on other board and committees, Stone
Building Feasibility/Re-use ad hoc Committee. Bob said that it is very challenging getting someone to
step up and take on a role is a big ask. Peter added that maybe we can tap into the pool of previous
working group or advisory groups members that have previous served,with a specific interest, skill set,
and had time may be a good resource to tap into. However, if our interest is expanding beyond the pool
of usual suspects, that may not be the best resource because they have become an insider and may
have a limited perspective.Joe commented that it's easier to find individuals if there is a clear defined
charge.Joe added that citizens' academy has also provided a resource for boards and committees.
Candy asked about the conversation about a new committee charge that was discussed in previous
meetings, and use that to attract new members. Dan asked Joe for clarification about the charge.Joe
noted that the Select Board is inundated with a lot of more short-term issues, and doesn't feel that they
gave a lot of thought to what this committee's charge is. Fernando commented that the new charge is
the new decade. Dan commented that if understands everyone's comments, it would be up best up to
the committee to recommend new candidates.Joe confirmed, and said the Select Board is looking for
some turnover and to diversify committee membership, but the real energy is going to come from the
committee.
Next Meeting Date
• 7:45am, December 18, 2020
• 7:45am,January 29, 2020
Meeting ended at 9:00 a.m.
Minutes submitted by Management Analyst, Katharine Labrecque
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