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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-06-12-2020-min2020 Vision Committee Meeting Friday, June 12, 2009 7:45 - 9:00 a.m. in Selectmen's Meeting Room In attendance: Fernando Quesada, Chuck Benson, Ann Redmon, Marian Cohen, Peter Lee, Jane Warren, George Burnell, Carl Valente, Candy McLaughlin, Gavin Bates The meeting was called to order at 7:52 a.m. The minutes from the April 9 meeting were approved. Citizens Academy: Chuck and Marian distributed drafts of a Topic Outline and a Schedule for the Citizens Academy and reviewed the thinking behind these documents. They commented that the bulk of the time in each session would be information - based: department descriptions, services, statistics, and challenges. They said they saw value in having each department follow the same general outline, and offered to create a template for presenters. Chuck and Marian stated their intention that the segments on budget drivers, measures of success, and challenges not focus on financial issues as they wished to avoid any budget debates. Ann asked if the Academy should include how each department interacts with other departments. Carl agreed that he thought this was important and should be included. Carl said that he had not envisioned this project as a class in local government, but rather a way to make a personal connection with people so they might be more willing to get involved. George offered his opinion that recruiting new Committee members shouldn't be an objective, because if it felt like a recruiting process it could spoil the experience, although he believed it would naturally follow after participants have become more informed. Peter agreed that the Academy should be primarily educational, and thought the question of "where are my taxes going" would prove to be a big draw. Carl stated that he viewed a "hands on" component as critical to help promote a personal connection, and this would also support visual learners. Ann suggested that the issue of volunteers and committees could be included in each department's overview, which would give people a view into what they can do and how to participate without necessarily recruiting. Fernando commented that a lack of knowledge about what departments do, and how their performance is measured, works against an active civic culture. He also suggested adding a topic about the citizen's role and where citizen input comes in to the process. The Committee agreed that it was an important goal to have citizens understand how they connected to the system, including how to help and where they should direct questions. Regarding the schedule, Carl suggested combining the Clerk's Office and Financial /Budget topics on one night, and then moving Public Works up to the third session. This would get people into the "nuts and bolts" Town programs earlier, and also move Planning /Community Development back closer to the Special Town Meeting. George suggested using the Fall Special Town Meeting as homework for the class, having students attend at least some of the meeting but with some preparation on what to look for. After reviewing the overall schedule, the Committee decided to push back the Citizens Academy starting date by one week. Candy reported that she had contacted Lexington Community Education, and they are happy to include the program in their brochure and handle registration for the Academy. They would need a proposal by June 19; Candy gave Marian the LCE contact information for follow -up. Marian and Chuck will also take care of getting publicity in the Colonial Times, the Minuteman, and LexMedia. Peter Lee is willing to help with publicity if needed. Demographic Change Task Force (DCTF): Fernando explained that the DCTF had lost a member recently and asked if the Committee needed to do some more recruiting. Carl responded that he didn't think this was necessary, as the DCTF has almost completed its work. The Committee reviewed minutes of the Task Force's discussions and Marian reviewed some of the topics the DCTF has investigated. Carl summarized the major issues they have identified: 1.) Changing needs of our community, 2.) Increasing ethnic diversity, and 3.) Life style and social issues, aging in place. Carl further noted that the Task Force has not been able to find much hard data about changing demographics, and said looking at how to acquire the necessary information was an important part of the process. Other Issues: Committee agreed to take up the issue of the Futures Panel at the next meeting. Future Meetings: Thursday, July 9, 2009 & Thursday, August 13 at 7:45 am in the Selectmen's Meeting Room The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 a.m.