HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-09-2020-min2020 Vision Committee Meeting
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:45 a.m.- 9:00 a.m.
Attending: Alan Wrigley, Barry Orenstein, Carl Valente, Chuck Benson, Fernando Quezada,
George Burnell, Jane Warren, Marian Cohen, Peter Enrich, Peter Lee, Richard Canale, Candy
McLaughlin, Brianna Olson
The meeting was called to order at 7:45 a.m.
The minutes from the June 12th meeting were approved.
Objectives for Selectman's Goal- Setting
Carl Valente requested that the committee submit items to be considered by the Board of
Selectmen for their goal- setting meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2009. The committee discussed
the following:
• Transportation: especially as the community ages, a better and more comprehensive
transportation plan should be considered.
• Public safety: especially in terms of sidewalk, bicycles, other transportation issues, and
other public safety issues.
• Transparency and increasing public involvement in the democratic process.
• The B O S should also be asked what they view as the most pressing issues within the next
ten years.
Citizen's Academy
• A draft announcement for the Minuteman was handed out. Minor changes to the
language were made, including removal of the word "must" to assure residents that they
can apply to the Academy even if they are unsure they can commit to all nine meetings
(but in the hopes that they would only miss one or two if necessary). Additionally, the
contact for the program has been changed to the Town Manager's Office.
• Marian has been having difficulty reaching the Colonial Times for a posting; several
other avenues will be tried.
• The course has been approved for printing in the Lexington Community Education
materials; it will be posted on their website and printed in the flyer that will be mailed to
all residents in July. Sign -up forms will be available on the website and in the flyer.
LCE has agreed to send registrations to us as they come in so we can track numbers.
• The Committee discussed how and when to advertise the Academy to ensure a large and
diverse applicant pool. Besides newspapers, suggestions included posting fliers at places
where people gather including the Farmer's Market, Stop & Shop and the library; asking
Newcomers Club and churches to publicize to their membership; sending information to
LexMedia for Cable TV; and posting on the Town's website. Margaret will arrange to
have flyers sent home through the schools.
• If the Academy becomes full quickly, or there are more applicants than available spots,
applicants may be wait - listed, or directed toward current meetings in their area of
interest. Depending on popularity, a spring Academy may be held.
Futures panel
• The panel will be scheduled for October 15th, 22nd, or 29th in Cary Hall. A date will be
set once major speakers have been lined up.
• It was decided that the most crucial topics to be covered are economics and the
environment. Potential speakers on these topics were discussed, as well as how we will
contact these persons.
• Additional topics to be addressed if speakers are available include healthcare, education,
technology and demographics.
• Key findings of the Demographic Change Task Force will be publicized with a large
poster in the lobby.
Draft Schedule of Future Meetings
All on Thursdays, 7:45 -9:00 am in the Selectmen's Meeting Room:
• August 13
• September 10
• October 8
• November 12
• December 10